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Another year!

2011-08-03T08:55:00.001-07:00

Bah! I can't seem to do anything right! First of all, just when I feel like I'm ready to commit to my blog, something always gets the better of my time. So this time I just have to - must, must, must - write! Lots of things have happened since I updated my blog a year back. 2010 wasn't the best year for out-of-Sri Lanka travel even though I did go for a work trip to Thailand in February. Though 2011 has been more brimming with adventure.

In February/March, we went to India, mostly the Northern area. It was really beautiful but very cold! First leg of our journey was the place we arrived in, New Delhi. It was literally very cold but it was fun. It wasn't easy because last year they experienced a bitter cold where several died. Later, Colombo did report a drop to 18 degrees C and many think Climate Change is starting in these parts. That aside, Delhi was great. Staying close to the Pharhaganj bazaar, we saw the Red Fort, the Jamma Masjid mosque and the Bird Hospital! The best part was we weren't affected by the Delhi Belly syndrome, more the cold/sore throat syndrome for sleeping in the bottom deck of a sleeper train with a chilly draught. So on the way to Varanasi, we didn't really enjoy sniffling our noses and sneezing a bit. Varanasi might be the start of the holy river Ganges but it's not at all holy. Ridden with pollution, chemical waste and atrocious sanitation, bathing in the Ganges adds to your sins rather than washes it away. It's really tough to think that the pollution in the Ganges is uncontrollable despite several pleas and measures forcing the authorities to take stringent action but nothing is done. At least those who bathe in the Ganges would develop immunity...or so we hope! Varanasi is crazy! I love Indians, they're cheerful but they can be forceful. I'm not comparing Sri Lanka with India because at home, we can be quite the same but in India, the poverty is just so difficult! The problem with Sri Lanka is our country is blessed with so much but our fools take it all for granted. In India, the rich become richers and the poor become poorer and they're so busy looking for their next meal, they would go to immense pain to get it. Even if it means haggling a tourist until they give as much as they can. One thing I was shocked to see was little children begging and sleeping all alone on the streets. Seriously, it just tore your heart! Varanasi might have lovely silk saris you can bargain for but often you always look guiltily as you see the poor people suffering to carve the garment out of scratch. So I'm glad I didn't do much shopping as I liked. Rather travelled a lot, saw a lot and took the memories. Lord knows if there was a child doing the embroidery for that silk Varanasi sari. Oh yes, and there was a Lord Vishnu festival which saw plenty of crazy Hindu devotees (mostly men and boys) going holy for their God. Pretty hard-core religious, if you know what I mean.

Thereafter we went back to Delhi and then to Agra to see the awesome Taj Mahal! Massively touristy and massively touty! Best to wear really cheap shoes so if they get stolen you wouldn't worry about them! I was wearing Rs.200 camel hide leather shoes so wouldn't have missed it much...though nobody stole them! Maybe the thieves value designer stuff nowadays! Anyway the Taj is beautiful (in it's own way) but because lots of people want to take the perfect shot next to it, the whole experience can be tiresome. Hated having the same pose so tried to do something different like hold the two minarets with my hands but it didn't come out nicely! All the same, it was nice we went to the Taj when we did. Apparently the Sulphur dioxide pollution is wearing and tearing out the marble and porcelain tiling in the Taj....and what was particularly awful was there was lovey-dovey graffiti on the walls! I mean we paid good money to get a ticket to go in and these freaking authorities do not even check to see if those crappy lovers sign their names in the walls of one of the World's Seven Wonder! Bloody bastards!

This guy Mohammed was a helpful guide showing us the intricate mosaic art inside the Taj, a cheery guy with a friendly nature....and who said that he wouldn't touch me because I was a woman and he was a proper Muslim...hypocrite!

Next stop was Rajashtan and the Pink City of Jaipur. Saw the observatory and the City Palace but nothing particularly impressive except for a few market sites selling good Indian brassware that would make serving those steaming Indian curries temptingly hot!

After discovering Jaipur in a day, we proceeded to Udaipur....and this was a fabulous city! Home of the Afghan Prince played by Kabir Bedi in the James Bond movie 'Octopussy', Udaipur is a romantic city. Part of the reason why it was romantic when we got there was because the Maharana's daughter got married to a handsome Gujarati prince and the town was painted in celebratory colours and people were in a festive spirit. We stayed at a lovely Haveli with a magnificent courtyard and we ate at some of the finest places including a quaint German coffee shop! It was definitely one of the most romantic places I've ever been to!

After that, we found ourselves on yet another sleeper train but this time it was to Amritsar, the holy Punjabi city. It was very beautiful and pretty clean for an Indian city. We stayed at Ms. Bandari's guesthouse which had a swimming pool (only in the summer)! It was great to see the Golden Temple but sad to discover that the Punjabis had to endure plenty of suffering for their beliefs. It was not all Bhangra and Punjabi MC all the way when the Sikhs first started their religion. And of course, like Hinduism, one had to be born a Sikh. Sadly the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Moghul emperors forcing the Sikhs to convert had massive impacts on the faith making their beliefs stronger!

About 30 kilometres from Amritsar is the Pakistan/India border of Wagah. What a sight of Bollywood mania and happy patrotism! It was an interesting way to see how united Pakistan and India can be despite all the differences.

After that, we found ourselves on a plane to dirty, sweaty and difficult Mumbai. It wasn't easy passing through Dharavi, Asia's largest slum.....which is actually a billion dollar industry where recycling is a big business!

Mumbai was difficult to get about, the poverty was too much to bear, more than to contend unlike what we saw in Slumdog Millionaire! But the nightlife was rather happening! We found ourselves in Juhu beach at the Marriot dancing to Bollywood bhangra beats coupled with more electronica/modern pop stuff!

Setting off to cold Delhi was like a welcome and happy to be snug in the chilly weather, I was happy I went to see the northern part of India!

Next post, have to tell you all about Australia! :)

After a lapse!

2010-09-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay so I didn't stick to my promise of posting 'every other day' sheesh! How do I live and then write about my measly life if I don't have the time? I have no idea myself but at least here I am.

Fasting's nearly over and I can wait for Eid. I gave up the bad things I'm not supposed to do but I think after talking about it, decided to make sure I solve the problem of my one character defect. Which is little white lying. I mean I don't want others to get angry but I'm so optimistic that massaging another's ego is not a problem....as long as I don't really mean it.

All the same, there are things I look forward to and things I hope to rectify in my life.

Nevermind all of that.

How was last weekend?

We spend last Friday night at Ambepussa Rest House. Now this place has got refurbished and the service is good but the quality of the food could certainly improve. Like they should be careful of flies in the soup. Which would do nicely for a start. The noise of the Colombo-Kandy road won't give you a blissful night's sleep but hey, it's a good place for a quick stopover on your way to some distant place on our Paradise Isle.

So Saturday we did the three temple loop - Embekke, Gadaladeniya and Lankatileke. It was good to see many smiling faces and even tourists to these off-the-track places and it was a quite nolstagic. I remembered Uncle Raja (God bless his soul) the last time I came here but it was a good way to revive my memories of him. It's nearly two years since we lost him. And sometimes I wished I was more concerned about him.Anyway that's a different story.

So on the way to the Knuckles (our main destination), we stopped to this awesome Angkor Wat-type temple called Galmaduwa Gedige which is absolutely stunning. Made of stone and brick, the temple was built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe. It is so peaceful and quiet and you feel the coolness of the stone steps as you walk barefoot and calmness as you hardly see anyone here save for a few local villagers. We met Jayaratne there who said that the local bhikku manages it. I was impressed with the symmetrical architecture and amazing style. Definitely a must-see for those en-route to Digana or Mahiyanganaya or even if you're a Kandy resident and need a calm place for a nice picnic. But please, no lovey dovey stuff - it's a temple after all.

Proceeding towards Digana, it was nice to see the old school, Ecole Internationale. Brought back memories but it still is in a pathetic state, no change at all. They still ring the bell with a thing-a-ma-jig which gives you a combination of an earache and a headache like your head is in the Goss Urbaliner!

Going up the hills to the Victoria Golf course (where we were supposed to spend the night) was amazing! Even though I've lived in Kandy for a few years, the breath-taking views was something I was in dire need to savour. It's been to long! Sheesh! Sometimes big city life can indeed get to you, especially when you're trying to make a name for yourself and earn a meagre living. Not that I'm complaining. But still.

Gorgeous villa we had there, really beautiful view of the Victoria reservoir and the fine dining restaurant served excellent food. Definitely one of the better holidays we've had but the swimming pool could have done with a good cleaning. It felt a bit weird as you swallowed lemonade water filled with Kandy bugs...And I'm not talking about the 'What's up, Doc?' Bugs Bunny!

Sunday saw us taking the Hunasgiriya route to the Knuckles. There were several pockets there where it was raining and a bit sunny but the views were absolutely out-of-this-world! Even though it is a nature conservation site, there are villages, barns for cardamom drying and several tea plantations. So it's not really a nice scenario and there needs to be some action enforced since plenty of endemic species live here. Obviously this makes them endangered. We went on the route to Corbett's Gap and Kobinalagala. You can see the mountain tops and the masiff which is a series of faults and folds which gives the range its name 'The Knuckles'. Though this was what the British surveyors called it, in Sinhala it's something to do with its misty mountains and cloudy hills referred as 'Dumbara Kanda' something like your local Everest, minus snow of course.

Also, it is the only place in Sri Lanka where you get several climates in one area in an half an hour walk! Pretty impressive huh? But due to the fear of leeches and the fact that we were virtually in the middle of nowhere, we just drove on and enjoyed snapping pictures of the views. They said that there was a small rest house called Eagles Crest but despite knocking on their door, we got no answer! Oh well!

Overall, it was a nice dany Kandy Knuckly holiday and I would recommend it to anyone. See the Sunday Observer for more on the trip :)

Next Friday is Eid so really excited - it'll be fun!

Though have to go through heaps of PR events and functions for the last week so looking forward to everything!

Work is better now, a few changes here and there but it's not easy dabbling into everything. Hope something works out.

Toodles!

Bloody sickness

2010-08-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

Hate getting sick. Seriously. It takes the fun out of life and I missed the lovely event in Galle, the speech giving and even the launch in Colombo. All thanks to a rotten someone!!!
Anyway, at least thankfully they had my name on the banner so I wasn't all-forgotten.
I healed more quickly thanks to Polar Bear. I actually thought he had gotten pissed off with me and completely erased me from his hard drive...but I guess it was difficult..
It isn't easy for us both...anyway, it was all positive but it was upsetting to know that he perforated his eardrum dabbling in his passion. Sometimes I do think what would have happened if we met each other at a different time and life. Oh well, fate and destiny shapes our lives but it's so awful when you want things to change....at least for the best.
Have heaps of work.
Toodles!

Back!

2010-08-04T23:22:00.000-07:00

Sheesh!
I can't believe it's been more than a year since I've blogged, seriously...too much crap is going on in my life! At least I can do a detailed post from now onwards but afraid it will have to be every other day. It's not easy, life's too fast and racy to take the time to savour the little things in life....like blog! Way too much writing goes on in my job anyway and lots of things to be at to really delve into finer aspects. See, I'm ranting...and rolling off on a tangent.
Let's see, let me start at the top of my head...
Today, I've just put in two features articles after a 6 month hiatus of not contributing to the features desk. Working with the editors is cool but now that they've got the VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) for Lake House employees, now they are ruffling a few feathers by getting the non-performing ones to leave forcibly through the CRS (Compulsory Retirement Scheme). Of course, our jobs are pretty secured and it's great that all the gossip mongers and those who don't work their butts off (like us) are being kicked out but still, it does mean looking over the shoulder for us...whatever the consequences, it's always good to be prepared so...this means yours truly has to edit the magazine, contribute to the features desk and then go a bit of news too. If I'm lucky, I'll have to do the V3 column but at this moment, it's TOO TOUGH!!!

Today, Dineth P. is having a fashion show at the Galadari hotel which is outrageously gonna be out of this world! Juana, one of our Colombian friends is also participating with a whole host of Sri Lankan and expatriate women to glam up the fashion show. It's supposed to be interesting as it's got heaps of sponsors so let's hope for the best!
Besides that, got an excursion to Galle Fort on Friday. Trying to meet up my cousin who's suddenly popped in from Dubai. So trying to get as many birds in one stone as possible. I know it ain't making sense. Plus, fasting's around the corner and I've donated blood. I'm feeling drowsy but it pays to work!
Anyway, the reason of heading off finally for a 'proper' stay at the Galle Fort is because Juliet Coombe and Daisy Perry are launching their Generation T book which is supposed to be awesome. The mad tea party is on Sunday and fingers crossed for a good turn out. Of course, the dynamic duo haven't had any problems getting crowds anyway.
The icing on the cake is that Sumi and Thanga, my family friends have suddenly made a visit to Sri Lanka and thinking of taking them to Galle as too!
So much of things! See, what a major life!
Let's hope for the best....!!

Whale of a Time!

2009-04-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

26th March 2009
11am: It was just another day and I was settling down to doing anything and everything a proper 'working' writer would do and then Champa (Editor's PA) summons me and asks, "Would you like to go for a whale-watching expedition?". Ha! As if those kinda excursions come my way. Being the pronto journo I am, I blurted, "Sure thing!" Yeah baby, finally no more envying all those Gehan DSW text updates and whale watching adventures in HI! magazine, I'm off for a real-life in-the-blue-whale-flesh expedition. Of course, this spur-of-the-moment trip was given at short notice, so I had to rush home and get my things! Woo Hoo! Whale time
4pm: Not sure about which hotel the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau was planning to shove us into this time (after previous horrible episodes that included dust-mite ridden beds at some Godforsaken 'room' in Hix), I was not expecting anything fancy. Wouldn't have been surprised if they told us to pitch a tent down Galle beach (such was my expectations). Apparently, I was asked to meet Vishadini(new recruit at SLTPB who used to work for 'Nature Odyssey') a friendly and good girl (fresh breath compared to that banshee Sulo) at the time aforementioned at Cinnamon Grand. Okay, and half an hour later, she calls and tells that finally she'll meet. No wonder - some things haven't changed like SLTPB punctuality. God, I prayed, please don't let it be a bad experience.
5pm: We set off in a Lanka Sportreizen minivan with Vishadini, Mel from AFP, Tulsi and Sanka from STimes, Sharon from Radio One and another photographer.
I was pleasantly surprised that we were actually going to Fortress of which I saw the first time during a cocktail during Galle Lit Fest 2008 but never stayed overnight. Something to write home about. Ha!
8pm: Arrival at Fortress, very swank hotel (obviously) but it rather got me excited that this place served the world's expensive dessert. Not that I was keen on trying it out but then again, its about a hotel trying to catch the world's attention. Tried to look I'm-a-journo-I-deserve-this as much as I could be. We were met by Shalini Bandaranaike, the PR manager and General Manager Steve. I told Shalini that she gave us a large Fortress bag(now my laundry bag) with a little notepad and pen (I think it's stashed somewhere in my journo junk now) and wow! she remembered! Also, the cinnamon, ginger iced tea welcome drink was heavenly.
It was no surprise that ours was a room that didn't have a view but the stone pot with good private garden was good. I had to share with Mel and Tulsi but it was a good experience. While Mel was the mature and the I-value-my-own-space kind, Tulsi was more the quiet and sweet one. Except she took ages in the bathroom (couldn't blame her because it was a good bathroom). Okay, I fancied the hand-made Siddhalepa soap and Ayu range of bath products. The best was the iPod shuffle with lots of good songs like Amy Grant and Diane Warwick whom I hadn't heard in ages. Too bad we couldn't linger for a longer time - tomorrow was whale watching day.

27th March 2009
7am: Yawn! Sleepy eyed but more excited than ever! Today is the day I see whales for the first time in my life! Yipee! We have no time to eat breakfast at the hotel so we pack it up. I take a sneak peek at the goodies, yummy-smelling pastries, fresh fruits and other tantalising delights. We set off with the BBC team with Alsa, Esh and Mr.Banana Pants. I call him Banana Pants because not only does he flirt with the girls but he amused us by sitting on a banana and smearing his pants with it!

7:30am: Arrive at Mirissa Harbour of the Ceylon Fishery Harbour Corporation with 'Nature Odyssey' part of Walker's Tours. We get on a speed boat enough for a 12 member crew. We have Tudawe the boat rider and Wasantha our lifeguard. We are fitted with not-very-sexy life jackets but as long as we're safe, that's all that matters. We get on slowly but steadily with another French couple who look like the real travelers with sunburnt skin and freckly patched skin. Oh well. Word has it that for the 12 member boat it was Rs.4500 per person and the big 20 member boat was Rs.6500 per person.

9am: Totally jumping up and down for joy! Saw about 5 blue whales already. Then I saw something like a humming bird whizzing by and asked Alsie. She said in her Scottish accent, "Oh! It's flying fish". Awesome. Never seen a flying fish before but it was cool. They 'flew' for about 30 seconds in the air before swimming back into the sea. We were all busy photographing and snapping pictures. There was a boat called 'Mirissa Water' or some crap like that where the tourists were hanging with their legs over the edges. While we had to wear lifejackets, these tourists had nothing to cling on to. Imagine if there was a calamity, the consequences would be deadly. Just because someone offers you a cheap ride to see the whales doesn't mean it's a foolproof plan. They also buoyed way too close to the whales so no wonder they dived back into the waters gulping their breaths as fast as the waters can take them. We took nice photos. Loved every minute of it.

10am: Now really very excited. Gosh! We saw dancing dolphins. Wow pretty ones. Dark blue colours. Vishadini said, "You can't really count the number of dolphins because they glide and swim above and over one another, so it's really more than you see!". They turned and twisted for us, they gave us a feast for our eyes. They peeked their little eyes and fins that bobbed up and down the waters. It was heavenly.

I so had to write a poem.

Oh!Lovely Dolphin

Oh!Lovely dolphin,
You're so graceful and sleek,
Swimming with your friends,
You're so free.

Gliding on your belly,
Your turns and twists are a sight,
We are in awe of your dancing,
Moving in the light.

Oh!Lovely Dolphin,
Please don't be in fear,
We love you so much,
It's nice to have you near.

12am: Heading off back to Fortress for a quick swim and lunch. Really enjoyed the whale watching tour! It was one of the best experiences of my life! :)

Independence Day

2009-02-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

Remember the movie 'Independence Day' when Will Smith who acts as Captain Steven Hiller and says, "Independence Day - the day we fight back!"
Well, Independence Day, usually a time for peace and goodwill and where you lay down arms, wasn't like that in Sri Lanka. In fact, I'm sure our President would wholely sanction what Will Smith said and I'm sure he'll be/or is an avid fan of that block-buster movie because he doesn't believe in laying down arms for terrorists who have no concern for a ceasefire agreement.
Despite requests by both UK's Foreign Secretary David Miliband and US Foreign Secretary Hilary Clinton for a temporary no-fire period, our President is quite unwavered.
There are two sides to the story.
One side is evacuating our troops and allowing the LTTE to continue their terrorist activities by recruiting children and forcing poor Tamil civilians to join them in the ethnic conflict with aid coming from Tamil Christians in Canada and other countries. The other aspect is to wipe out the terrorists and help the Tamil people get on with their lives. This is difficult and the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict is a hot topic for discussion at all world-wide discussions but many are afraid of the government and their tactics for being ruthless. As one foreigner suggested, "Sri Lanka's government is even more ruthless than the LTTE - the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world!". At a UN security council meeting this week where Mexico and Russia were discussed, many couldn't help turn the talk towards Sri Lanka. "So to state the obvious, the UK likes the government of Sri Lanka more than the Sudan's. But a requested Council briefing on the situation in Sri Lanka is being blocked, on a technical assertion it is not on the agenda. Zimbabwe wasn't on the agenda, until the UK pushed to have it included under the name "Peace and Security in Africa." How about "Peace and Security in Asia"? What's in a name?" by Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at the UN.
Looks like Sri Lanka is one of the most revered countries and the rest of the world would envy that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his armed people are trying their best to liberate it. Even though the governments of African countries might be helpless to do anything to overthrow the terrorists there, President Mahinda Rajapaksa decided to grab the bull by the horns. "The country should be liberated one day. So why not today before it's too late?" seems to be on the minds of the patriots and ehem then again, the nationalists after the President pledged to defeat the terrorists within a few days of Sri Lanka's 61st Independence.

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Security Checkpoints: It can't be helped that the armed forces in Colombo have to check every Tamil coming into the city. One army officer in the Fort area said, "What if they (Tamil civilians) were held at gun-point by the LTTE by holding their family hostage and asked them to blow themselves up in the city? I wouldn't blame them but that's why at HQ, we always have to keep an eye out". He said that not every Tamil should be blamed because it can be brought by people from other ethnicities even Sinhalese. Experts who know about bomb assembly especially when interviewing them casually at the 'Deyata Kirula' exhibition that is currently being held enlightened us more. "The best way to bring a bomb to the city is to carry the various parts and pieces from all over and assemble it here, so it can be said the same for the LTTE" said an army officer working for the Bomb Disposal Squad. "Sometimes they can bring essential parts in whole but even in the case of the assasination attempt of the former President, the sharpnel and other bits can be transported in small quantities and arranged just near the place where the bomb is expected to be set off" he said.
So checking measures should be proper and many should be qualified to do the job. I went for a high-profile event where the President was attending and the female security officers were checking in all sorts of private places which even when we go to Temple Trees, isn't the norm.
"It's rather difficult when they pretend as if they don't know you and even though you go with all the relevant IDs and approvals, they still check you as a terrorist" said a media colleague.

New Year 2009

2009-01-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2009!~
The month of January was truly hectic and it isn't easy to balance the working and the pleasurable life especially when a new editor walks into the great 100 walls of Lakehouse. However, I'm glad it's now a 'safe' place to work with less back-stabbing and colleagues who I can work well with. The fact that our editor said that we have to 'earn our salary' and 'there are no Chinese walls between Daily News and Observer', makes it worthy to write about other aspects like the V3 column. I'm not really happy that the previous editor went back but he was so politically motivated and had this 'thing' with the youngest staff in the office that I daresay the move was for the best. Politics seriously doesn't get you anywhere especially in office since you are likely to be thrown from one point to another without being serious in your work. It has been a common thing to just run outside the premises of Lakehouse and go on a strike so that your pleas are heard to give a bonus or whatever. The Sinhala daily newspaper is presently overstaffed with 260 and there are people at the Observer who just come to scream at other people the whole day instead of doing their work. It's rather upsetting that one has to mould oneself into a rather neutral individual with all the hype going on but it's rather secure and safer than being in an independant newspaper since your life is not at risk. Oh well!
Having visited Maldives recently, I noticed how stunning and beautiful the resorts are! I stayed at Meeru Island, Maldives in the North Atoll of Maldives. It was also an honour to meet President Nasheed the week before during his official state visit to Sri Lanka. He has suffered so much for the country and it was great to know that he actually started out as a journalist. Makes me think that nothing in the world is impossible if you believe in what you do to help others, especially your country. Sri Lanka's corruption is on a different scale to Maldives. In Male, alcohol isn't allowed so smoking is only alternative and people prefer to do that. Not to mention drugs - even though there is a huge notice saying that there is a death penalty for drugs, most youth can easily get their hands on it. I was thinking, Sri Lanka isn't that bad, why can't people enjoy a glass of wine or beer to unwind after a hard day's work? In Sri Lanka, even if they don't advertise alcohol on local media, drinking is prevalent everywhere. Even though Maldives might be a Muslim country, there are lots of Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and Indians working there. However, you can see the youth just roaming the streets in their mopeds which reveal that youth unemployment is on the rise. For the Maldivian youth, Sri Lanka is like a London or New York because it is the only place, an hours' flight away where you can live a cosmopolitan life in Colombo and most prefer the education here as there are plenty of offshore international universities and colleges here. However, some who graduate prefer to seek greener pastures elsewhere but some do get back to Male to be near family. The girls, especially would do the right thing by marrying whoever their parents wants since Islamic tradition is strict here. All the same, Maldives is a nice place in terms of the resorts but Male is rather different. Male is very small, people travel in mopeds and cars are sandwich sizes. It is rather dirty but the buildings are of different colour. The people dress decently but some do their hair in all sorts of nice colours.
More travelling included the official museum in Sigiriya and the Jetwing Earth Day at Hunas Falls!
So much to write about and so much to say! I hope I find the time someday!
So I hope it looks like a nice and amazing year all around!
Have a happy new year 2009!

?

2008-07-25T04:31:00.000-07:00

First of all, I'm pretty upset.
I can't decide on two things - what I want to do and what do I really want? All this in the next 2 years. I'm 23 years and I'd better decide because time is ticking out and I have to get my priorities figured. Or else I'm going to lose. And lose bigtime! Anyway last night I was talking to my friend and he was asking me "Why didn't I choose to do ALs?" He thought my decision wasn't a really 'traditional' one so to speak. I gave him a long lecture but I did feel happy about it. I did do AL classes for 3 days but then my parents were like trying to figure out better options for me. They always told me to do what I liked and knowing all too well how I was pretty much undecided as to what I really wanted to do in my life was the bummer.
It's difficult, I tell you, you shift around a lot, you have various interests, you come from a multi-ethnic background that's not really religious and people expect you to comprehend stuff easily like you'd like to be a doctor or a lawyer which is flabbergasting!
So hence I left school at 16, going where no person has gone. Most of my peers were shocked and well lets say - surprised, they never thought I'd (out of all the people) would do something like THAT. Well I did, I took the easy way, the shortcut, less painful way of studying the traditional ALs, out of the norm, way different.
So then I tell this friend of mine, yes so I didn't take my ALs so what? I studied didn't I? I learnt whatever the world had to offer, hell I'm still learning! Everyday is a new learning experience and I expect it to be that way, so whatever!
Then he asks me, so do you want to leave the country, is that the aim?
Not really, I always think you should go to a country, study, work, earn, get money and come back to your honey. You should come back to your roots, shouldn't you? Whence did you come from, they'll ask? No matter what PR or GR nonsense you get, you still can't be like them. Even Michael Jackson who changed his skin colour into a 'whitey' still can't be like them. We are all second class, and that's not in a bad way either. We were just born Asian and we just had to have an ethnic conflict and we just had to suffer, we all blame the 'higher powers' but really that's the way the world works. We were supposed to be born and we have to live like that.
So then I tell him, yes I do want to go abroad but life there is difficult. I mean you become a big shot thingamajig and you'll find a million people like you. Even if you discover something new unless its a cure for HIV(AIDS) then you wouldn't even be remembered. If you do find the cure for HIV, they'll say you found it because of them, of their facilities and utilities, blah blah! The greatest thing is that you can make other people envious of you in your Mother country (lol) which is a good thing and if you fall flat on the road in your country, people will help you without a price. In those countries, your car breaks down or you get hit on the road, yes you'll get help but its all at a price! Thats why we all neeed insurance which is the hefty price will always have to pay forever. Look, I'm not against them, see I still use English to write this blog, which shows how much I'm pretty much accepted the western influence. However, why can't I help my country that has been battered so much especially with western influence. We can't fight wars with swords now because of the western influence on technological weapons.
Then I tell this friend of mine, yes I'll make up for lost time for I didn't grow up here, however, I want to understand this country and try to make amends. At least I'm happy with the younger generation, they know what's going on, they hope to do something but even though most of them all want the easy way out of the country seeking greener pastures, they are a handful of us who really want to make a difference. It's foolish and stupid and absolutely impossible with a war and economy in this country. However, there is hope.
I tell him, I want those people to come from their western ideals and utopia and breathe in their country without feeling like a refugee. You were born here, your parents made it their home once because they knew it was a beautiful country. The best pearls, gems, spices, flora and fauna including the diversity of people all come from this country.
In every sense of the word, I do want to make a difference, really I do. I want to tell Mr.Nadesan whom I met at the Editors' Guild award, I'd like to do something like diplomacy because I want to diplomatically settle this conflict. I'm so sad because I went last weekend to the Kotelawela Defence University which is a model university in itself because the number one rule is to speak in English even in their dormitories. In this country, English is the only advantage that will give you a job, fod on the table and plenty of opporunity. However, I was teary-eyed because all of them would risk their lives for the country, for nothing, for a worthless cause. Sheer nothingness, they are all posted to the army even before they walk through those doors to study about the defences. Our demand for army people is massive, so these children's lives are mapped before them.
Today I interviewed a Tamil officer from the Navy for my defence column titled 'Heroes Forever'.Its still just a month since I've taken over and it's difficult. I can't imagine how I can write about the defences so soon. However, this is my destiny and I have to accept it.
People should realise the conflict is not about just ethnicity but about wiping off the terrorists. This Tamil officer attacked the LTTE cadres with weapons onboard a battle ship despite being of the same blood as them.
I tell him, I didn't do my ALs, I wanted to fast track my education, I got to where I want and now I want to save the country.
So Help Me God!
Amen!

I Didn't Know

2008-07-24T01:14:00.000-07:00

I didn't know,
You were here,
Upon that terrace,
Near her.

She wasn't like you told me before,
I had to look,
A little more,
For I didn't know.

I sauntered over,
Unknown to another,
I saw your rear,
You were scratching your ear,
Near her.

I was shaken and aghast,
I wanted to show you something new,
Something I did,
Especially for you,
But you were,
Near her.

I could have gone,
And made my presence felt,
I could have said something,
But my heart would have melt.

I thought you could have been more honest,
I don't mind you with her,
Was this a test?
And being so near?

As with yesterday,
We did meet,
We had a lovely time together,
I think we did - I came especially to say,
'You look so sweet'.
You may not think but maybe you do,
But I admit,
I wanted to let you know,
How much you,
Meant to me.

All the same,
I have nothing to gain,
There is no pain,
No comfort and things will remain.

Standing 4 feet away from you,
Whilst talking to my friends,
Suddenly the wind blew my red wine glass off the table,
It spilled all over my purple dress.
Like it did when I first introduced them to you,
All over the form and all over your sleeve,
I was happy that day after I said sorry,
You said it was okay and you liked it,
Or so I thought?

As luck may have had it - I got no stain,
No tainted heart or deep scar,
We'll just be as who we are,
And probably keep whatever close so very far.
However, I do wish, a stain would have remained,
A poignant reminder of the first day,
I saw you with her.
Just someone else,
She was another woman.
It was the first time so it was difficult,
To comprehend my state of mind,
Especially when the wind didn't behave,
And the glass wanted to tumble,
Emptying its contents all over my purple lace.

Yet as fate wants it,
The stain didn't remain,
So I was thinking,
There has to be a logical explanation.
Isn't there?

I don't know,
If you,
Thought I wouldn't have known,
Even though with time,
This companionship has grown,
I know we aren't supposed to meant to be,
You'll be you and I'll be me,
However, I want to tell you,
Those who want me,
Don't know the difference between Noir and Rouge,
They just are like Scrooge,
Why have not they heard of Placebo?
Not the effect but you know,
They don't have the same wit,
Twat as twat and twit as twit.
Why don't they bother with a metal grill for me?
Like you do?
Why don't they do those lovely things you do?
Why is it when I bring them flowers, they forget them on their window sill?
And when I bring them to you, a candle is lit and kept on the dinner table?
Why don't they understand?
How can they ever take your place?

I'll only wonder.
Please don't ruin it.
Please.

Amazing

2008-07-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

I wish I could say,
How it feels to lay here beside you,
In what way I felt that day,
I wanted to do everything I wanted to.

When you lay your hand upon mine,
I couldn't describe the insatiable feeling,
A heavenly touch so divine,
For my heart you were a-stealing.

I yearned for you,
Of course I did,
I longed to know,
If you felt like it.

My heat was furiously racing,
A rush of adrenaline flow,
I wanted your fingers to be a-tracing,
The contours of my body - oh!

I never did expect you to turn my way,
To give my attention and your time,
But along came the day,
And the gorgeous sun did shine.

This emotion so strong swept over,
I didn't think it would be true,
I did want to discover,
What the attraction was in you.

Chancing upon fate,
We had dinners and walked,
Meet-ups that went on till late,
That went unnoticed while we talked.

I find you irresistable and full of charm,
Pleasant and genteel,
What impelled me to kiss your lips so warm,
Was your crazy and sensual feel.

I want to twist and bend,
And writhe in your soul,
I long to spend,
A night in your hold.

Why, my secret sweetheart,
Don't you realise this is for real?
I don't want you to part,
From me forever until I heal.

I need you near me,
By your side,
I want you to see,
What's really right.

I hope you see this as more than just a passing thing,
I hope you understand,
I don't mean for you to bring,
Sorrow upon my land.

I know,
I dream,
But - oh,
Do you dream?
The same dream?
I want to know.
You are the most amazing thing in this world.

Butterflies!

2008-06-17T03:52:00.000-07:00

Whereupon we were fated to meet,
Even before we met our eyes seemed to greet,
I looked yonder past what I faced,
For in my mind an image of you was traced.

I didn't seem to know,
What impelled me to send you a wish of light,
Maybe I had a yearning or secretive lore,
Of what I thought was right.

It seemed but an astounding surprise,
In the back of my mind I was in anticipation,
Will you see past my guise?
I was in sheer elation.

When you told me early that morn,
That you'd would like to rendezvous,
I felt like the world was in a maelstorm,
My heart was a-beating for you.

Little did I know,
That you'd harboured a feeling so same,
I greatly wanted the feeling to flow,
The moment you called my name.

Admiring your manners and polite appeal,
The wit and intelligence you radiate,
You know what how to make a person feel,
Absolutely wonderfully great.

Survived Another Bomb!

2008-05-16T04:12:00.000-07:00

At around 12pm, we heard a loud explosion at Lakehouse. It was so loud that the walls of the nearly 100 year old foundations shook and little flecks of dust fell from the large columns. The glass of the windows shuddered and it was as if the bomb had gone off at Lakehouse itself. It was officially the first time that I heard such an explosion of this nature right near me. There was panic everywhere and someone told us that it had gone off near the World Trade Centre. I tried calling my sister who works there but most of the mobile networks and landlines were all jammed. Thereafter the Lakehouse news sources stated that a suicide bomber on a motorcycle had been near the Sri Sambuddhaloka Viharaya temple and apparently stopped at the checkpoint since the police bus was going. There were people rushing to and fro at lunchtime and apparently some people were getting checked as well. A Daily News staffer told that "I was blown away a few metres back when the explosion occurred".
We aren't too sure which Lakehouse victims were injured but only a few were affected. It was mostly the police people and I remember at the checkpoint near the temple, there was a good-looking police officer.
It is pretty appalling that the LTTE decided to target innocent police officers during the Vesak period and that being near a temple. Luckily no children were injured but many people did suffer as a result of it.
Eventually, I got through to my parents who were worried sick and my sister was also safe and sound. You can never be too careful with the problems taking place here.

TIME 100 - What about me?

2008-05-03T07:33:00.000-07:00

Brangelina made it to the TIME 100. And Vladimir Putin made it two times in a row which wasn't bad for him.TIME, a much-anticipated magazine is where people get a kick of finding out who has significantly influenced them in the 'good,bad and the ugly' way. The Dalai Lama will also be an epitome of the whole influencing thing but I daresay why didn't Osama make it to the list? He has been at the centre of attention since 9/11 so I think a negative place on the TIME 100 should have been dedicated to him. After all, hasn't he gone to the extent of the present president's moves on 'war on terrorism' as well as spark heaps of terrorism battles all around the world. He is definitely the terror symbol.
No American list would have been complete without Obama, Hilary or McCain.
I was really happy to see journalists and editors making it with the likes of Yoani Sanchez, Carine Roitfeld, blogger Micheal Arrington also made it.
My favourite inspiration Steve Jobs is also in the list.

Totally Tripped!

2008-04-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

This post was taken from the blog posting of Tracy Holsinger on
http://daytripper.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/to-the-editor-of-the-sunday-observer-magazine/
and it is her response to the article that came on http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/04/13/mag08.asp

To The Editor of the Sunday Observer MagazineWhile thanking you for the positive press given to our show ‘Samurai’ (Sunday Observer Magazine, 13 April 2008: ‘The Word on the Samurai Sword’), I would like to place on record a few comments I feel compelled to make - not merely in the interest of the general public which reads your magazine - but also as a practitioner of English Theatre in Sri Lanka.The writer of the article clearly intended no ill-will towards either me or the cast. It is also equally clear that she had not grasped many aspects of the play and chose to write about it regardless of whether she had full possession of the facts or not.[I seriously didn't mean any ill-will but I really have to say that what I expected was certainly not what I got. I didn’t know it was a children’s drama because it did not state so in the posters it was advertised on]I do not call it a ‘review’ because it is purely descriptive and lacks any attempt at analysis. In fact, in her own words,“I daresay, the ending was abrupt and I have no idea why Geoffrey Case had it this way. I mean in the end, the warriors anyway get the sword so what was the fuss with all the citizens and the villain fighting tooth and nail just to keep their sword?”Why write about something you do not understand, only to say that you do not understand it? What will your readers gain from this? [I didn’t read the Geoffrey Case script before I came sorry but I did understand that it was comical. Moreover, the readers should understand that it was clearly intended for children, why couldn’t you EMPHASIZE THAT THIS WAS A CHILDREN’S DRAMA? ]This was a play for children, [YOU DIDN’T SAY THAT BEFORE WHEN ADVERTISING IT] with themes of greed and corruption. Our publicity material clearly states this. All this information and more, was on our company’s blog (www.daytripper.wordpress.com), which she is aware of. Again, in her words,“Some theatre-goers told me it was childish and somewhat just not what they expected.” [This was true, many did say, for a full list of quotes please email shazrina@gmail.com ]Had she bothered to do some research with a phone call, or email to me (I know she has my contact details), she would have been able to inform readers that it was supposed to be for kids. Instead of which she informed the public that she was “…a little confused…”“Moreover, others thought of action and didn’t really sink in the comedy story properly.”Please could you explain to me exactly what she means here? I must confess her poor grammar is what I find most saddening about this whole article. Here is another example:“However, Tracy told that it was a time training these young drama actors and actresses from scratch.”I can confidently state that I ‘told’ no such thing. I was speaking to her about teaching the cast the basics of movement in traditional Japanese theatre, and adapting them for our own particular use.She goes on to write,“ In the end, it was all a dream and the last scene shows the citizens talking about their dreams and how they were bad and gasp at their state of being ‘uncivilised.”It was not a dream - the magical Samurai sword in question had in fact taken the citizens into the future. Even children in the audience seem to have grasped this.I have been a reader of your publication for several years, and find it shocking that you publish articles of such poor quality written by unmotivated, uninspired writers. I have no personal bone of contention with the young lady in question; in fact I’m sure she is full of good intentions. However, it is obvious she is utterly unqualified to be a journalist as her grasp of the English language is poor at best; she clearly had not researched the subject of her article; she did not take any notes when I spoke to her, nor did she have a Dictaphone.Perhaps writers of her calibre should be trained, or apprenticed to more experienced writers so that she will learn what it is to be a journalist. There are very few trained journalists covering the arts, unlike in news, business or sports writing, and this is a real shame. As one of the leading English publications in the country, this sort of sub-standard writing does you no credit, and must surely be an irritant to the many subscribers who trust you to provide them with intelligent, accurate content.Kind Regards,Tracy Holsinger(Aritstic Director - Mind Adventures Theatre Company)

The Response-
The biggest problem at Lakehouse, is that the ‘higher authorities’, recruited through political means, in fact don’t really KNOW their English. In fact they try to teach me in every sense of respect and I have a big problem as a journalist who KNOWS her English. You can compare it with the rest of my articles for a more detailed study. First of all, I do admit I am a journalist who needs to harness the best out of my writing skills and learn my craft better but it is very difficult to inculcate some sense into those in ‘forced power’ and those who think their English is indeed better than mine. I can guarantee you, my initial unedited article is quite different from the one published but alas I have no say because the editor’s word is final. The system is corrupt and I am also appalled with the current situation of English that I have to needlessly take the blame for it all. However, I am hopeful that even amidst all the drama so to speak, there will be a day when I can write articles in an unedited form without any problems in the grammar and spelling. The Lakehouse newspapers don’t actually appreciate drama to be qualified to reflect upon it and we have a dearth of journalists who need to understand the drama better in order to write a better review. I have to admit, I have been following dramas but when we review it in a particular way, the rest get the wrong impression. I really expected something different like action of samurai warriors and when something like comedy comes I felt disappointed because the storyline was a little disjointed and even though the jokes were funny, it was certainly not what I was expecting.

Tracy Holsinger is arguably one of the best playwrights this country has to offer but I can not comprehend why she can’t write an original script. She can take not only Sri Lanka but the world by storm by not just focusing on adapting popular drama or drama by other writers, but work on her unique and Sri Lankan style. I can’t compare her with people like Feroze and Indu who have garnered a name for themselves with their original and comical productions but she should look into that retrospect. I love listening to her on ‘Another State of Mind’ on local radio but she has been too westernized that I fear she isn’t highlighting or focusing on her own distinct style. However, everybody is shaped by the way they were brought up and have their perceptions of the world but with undue respect to her, I think it’s high time she delve into something different and unique.

Please be kind enough to read the second review of ‘Samurai’ which appeared on the 21st April issue of the Daily News (please look for it on the internet). Please email me on shazrina@gmail.com, for clarifications. Thank you!

2008-04-16T23:44:00.000-07:00

What can I say?
NOTHING~

Oh Plato!

2008-02-21T05:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Plato,
Is it some test this love you've given me?
Is this platonic relationship meant to be?
You catch me unawares,
Trying to lose my stares,
I really don't know what you do,
The meaning is unclear and I'm dazed too,
Why do you have to be so unfair?
Why can't you let him think afar?
Whenever he makes his presence,
I smell his lingering essence,
I am overpowered by him,
I can't seem to think very straight,
Tis you I hate,
Making this my untimely fate.

Critic on Blogville

2008-02-11T00:05:00.000-08:00

This is the crap written by some freak called Pink Boxing Gloves in Blogville. Mind you, this person goes to give a comment on the Half-doctor’s post (www.half-doctor.blogspot.com) about the Menage a Trois article saying that the Half-doctor, Me, the guy in question are all retarded. This person gives the link to my blog as well. (www.hearsayprincess.blogspot.com)

Courtesy - http://pinkboxinggloves.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/of-a-threesome-and-a-solution-for-sri-lankas-ethnic-conflict-obslpo/

WARNING: BLOGGER MAKES SERIOUS INACCURATE OBSERVATIONS AND CONDEMNS THE WRITER WITHOUT ACTUALLY UNDERSTANDING THE 'TRUE' FACTS!

Nilma Dole in her article titled Menage a Trois on the Sunday Observer on the 20th of January, narrates the “true story” told to her by a macho man about one of his sexual escapades. This (not-so) [what? Some pun intended?] brilliant attempt by Nilma at feature writing with a dash of erotica proves several things to me, including the fact that Nilma and her “source” have found the perfect solution for the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict, and for some of the key problems the country is facing today.
[Okay here the pinkie compares this harmless threesome account into something of the ethnic conflict which is a really cynical and totally irrelevant to the actual content, notice how so third-grade the style is]
Since this is quite a long post, I’ll cut it short for those of you who want to end it quickly [More like the ‘stupid way I misunderstood’]. Nilma’s (lame excuse for an) [Very funny] article narrates the experiences of a young man who had a threesome. In it, he states “Being with two more makes you feel more concerned and sensitive to their needs.” Which, if I use much cruder terms would translate to “If you fuck two or more at the same time”. [Over here, pinkie you lose the exact gist of the story and HIGHLIGHT only the things YOU find shocking instead of down-playing the whole story, very professional don’t you think?]
And this is where I had my ingenious idea! One big Sri Lankan Peace Orgy (OBSLPO). [What the f***? Trying to be creative?]
An OBSLPO where everybody fucks everybody would give everybody a chance to be concerned and more sensitive to everybody else’s needs. And the Norwegians can come and watch, and facilitate by means of providing lubricants and rubber. [Are you so burdened about the ethnic conflict? Lost anyone in the conflict? Ouch! What’s your problem? Are you some sort of sadist who was so disheartened when the SLMM went for a six? Lubricants and rubber – are you trying to be humourous? Well, I’m not buying this sh*t!]
But hang on. Haven’t that 225 been fucking us all this time? Hmm… That means they’re already sensitive to our needs, or the guy Nilma quotes is completely off track.
Addendum: Since I was in a bit of a stalky mood, I Googled her and facebooked her [So interested huh?]. Seems she’s on both, and has what’s called an “open” facebook profile [When you are on a network, most people can see your profile, which means you were on my network buddy! There are things you ought to learn about Facebook]. Means stalkers like me can go and randomly check the whole profile out. And I quote from her “About Me” part,
“I love Journalism and am one of the only slang writers in Sri Lanka who speaks the truth!” [Copywright infringement and taking stuff out of websites without prior permission! a.k.a against the law!]
Out of sheer morbid curiosity, how can you be one of the only? I think the corrected version on her profile should read “I love to pretend tat I’m a Journalist, and am the only semi-crap erotica writer in Sri Lanka who talks cock!” [YOU WISH!Oh yeah I forgot, you write for the TIMES and you are so f**ked up because you’re my competitor and you are darn jealous of our circulation, and don’t you do denying that, the Observer is the paper with the highest circulation! Bet you are green with envy huh?]

Anywhos[Wrong spelling], read on.

And before I start on my fantastic voyage, some level of credit should go to a half-witted, half-judgmental half-doctor for showing me the way to the article.
So, let’s start the slaughter. And yes, for those of who are planning on commenting at the end of the post, saying I’m biased and harsh and cynical and mean and all that, I am. Because [You can’t start a sentence with ‘because’ it’s a conjunction] of the hypocrisy and the lack of common sense and direction of the Observer Editor [You can get sued for that but it’s pointless suing you because you’d be too broke to pay up!], and because Nilma has contributed to a very discriminating, disempowering and sexist piece of writing [I love your verbs ]. I’ve honestly seen porn flicks which give women more respect. [Excuse me? Looks like you’re the sexist here!]
Many would open their mouths in shock and horror at this French word also called a group of three people. Even those elderly folk with conservative ideals and hush-hush talk would find this article very appaling. However, in this modern age, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to all that is happening around us.
Stupid point Nilma [This was what the person who was relating the story said you bozo, read the byline ‘As told to Nilma Dole’ some people can’t read!]. Many of us don’t know French [Well I’m sorry, ou la la, didn't understand that did you?]. But credit to you for figuring out that people will find this article appalling. Point of clarification here, it’s not the concept of a threesome that people will find appalling, it’s the article. And since you haven’t done your bit of research, let me do it for you. Menage a Trois was the theme for the 1932 Noel Coward play, Design for Living [Oh yeah, you use Google right? That’s how you found Nilma Dole right? Major research!]. And threesoms [correct spelling-threesomes] have been there ever since man discovered it, and there is evidence such as paintings, literary references etc to prove that. [DUH!]
Often those narrow-minded thinkers would regard the taboo word as a horrendous thing that only happened in brothels and VIP hotels where only floozies indulged in this practice. However nowadays, don’t be surprised if you find your own child or spouse maybe being part of this new ‘in-thing’ without your knowledge.
This is not an “in thing” darling [So getting all personal huh? Do you think being personal weakens me?]. It’s just a thing. And no, it’s not being narrow minded. And erm, what the hell is a VIP hotel?
Of course, it can be due to various reasons, from experimenting sexually with oneself to doing something memorable just before marriage. It can also be with certain special people or can be for some fun.
Can’t argue with you on that one, as sex (in whatever form) can be, and is, for a whole lot of reasons. And since I’m not judgmental, I don’t care why people have sex. Although the “certain special people” part IS a bit confusing. [Yeah well looks like you misunderstood from the beginning itself!]
I first enountered my first three group thing when I was touring abroad as the result of participating in sporting activities I did at college. Being all young and experimental in those days, I ventured and sought to finally do it as the ultimate experience I could ever get abroad. I, like my peers felt that doing it in Sri Lanka wasn’t ‘ethical’ and so was quite thrilled at these exciting prospects.
It’s called a threesome, not a “three group thing“. Since there is a word for it, USE IT. And erm, if a threesome is the “ultimate experience” you can get from abroad, I advise you not to do any more traveling abroad. Cos [Because?] the beaches of Maldives at sunset, the food in Pakistan and the Taj Mahal can be “mind blowing” too. And I’m surprised at your sense of ethics changing depending on your geographical location.[So you are a traveler huh? I’ll remember that!]
It started with partying really hard into the wee hours of the morning. Yet it was quite dark and I finally chatted up with two women or ‘chicks’ as I referred whom I met at the nightclub. They were foreigners too and that made it even better and less guilty. Basically my thoughts were, we were visitors and we had the right to have fun in a foreign land.
And so the sexism and judging begins. Drunk women are easy lays, especially if they are foreign and at a nightclub at wee hours of the morning. And visitors have the right to have fun in a foriegn [correct spelling foreign] land. Probably why we Sri Lankan here in Sri Lanka live lousy lives.
As a macho man, I have this thing against being with a woman in the presence of a nude man. It ruins my candour and also makes me feel degraded fearing the competition around. So I jumped at the opportunity of taking these lovely ladies back to my hotel room.
He he… Macho? Seems like monkey praising his own tail. But your inferioriy [again another misspelling go learn some English, correct spelling-Inferior] complex shines through, when you state your fears of having competition around. And you’re being judgmental again, as you assume that women don’t feel competition. You’re making them appear as lifeless sex objects which you can take back to your hotel room.
We opened a bottle of champagne compliments of the hotel and I turned on the stereo filling the place with soothing Jazz music. The women were good friends and told me that they got along fine and it was definitely not their first experience.
As a personal favour, I’d love to have the name of that hotel so I can stay there if I ever travel to that country. Cos [Because?] none of the hotels I’ve ever stayed in has given me complementary champagne [So much for your traveling, there are boutique hotels that do, I’ll send you a list]. Hell, I haven’t even got a complimentary bottle of Sprite [How sad, you must be some shanty dweller huh?]. Erm, better leave the James Bond fantasies out of newspapers. [Great, condemnation of James Bond as well! Wonder what Hollywood thinks!]
So I thought to myself that I was lucky to be in the company of experienced women even though in the back of my mind, I feared ‘would they judge me by my performance and most importantly, will I be good?’
Now now, you are the “Macho” man right? Why do you even think of doubting your “capabilities”?
I didn’t have time to worry about that, because these ladies went down straight to business telling that they didn’t have much time to waste.
I was actually a tad bit clueless but I played along. There was alot of vigourous activity from both sides and me, be being a real player on field and off it, played my role in this drama.
Coming to this part, [':'instead of a',' right?]
1. I think you’re lying through your teeth, but hey! That’s just me. [Go figure! You lie in your stories so that’s natural for you I guess]
2. I didn’t know that the Sunday Observer published erotica! I should buy it more often. [Yeah well we decided to spruce things up here at the Observer, new year new look and since we are 80 years older, I guess we need a change? Don't you think so? Even if you don’t buy the Observer, we can manage without your Rs.30 because we charge Rs.500 for the first 15 words of a Classifieds ad! I promise to keep your marriage proposal space when you do get married(hopefully) You have it On-The-Lakhouse! heheh!]
3. And erm, vigorous activity from both sides, and you being a “real player” ya? O-kay then. [Jealous? Why don't you try it, shall I arrange one for you?]
It blew my mind, seriously! I was thinking to myself that I really was the luckiest person of the moment and I remember I wished this euphoric feeling would last forever. And even if it did finish, I’d savour it for my whole life. The experience was amazing and I really was happy I did it.
Since you seem to have enjoyed it, good for you [Sadist again]. But this is where the really worrying and hypocritical stuff begins, which I’m going to quote in whole, and respond in whole.
I don’t believe that such a thing could ruin anyone’s life and make them bad in any way. However, as a person with values, I strongly advise everyone NOT to indulge in it once you get married or have a steady partner since it only brings you a feeling of guilt.
I was young and it helped me understand more about myself. Ideally, it has helped me understand about the effects and joys of the opposite sex better. Being with two more makes you feel more concerned and sensitive to their needs. Even though you can’t satisfy both of them together you can at least try and they will naturally go with the flow.
The rest will eventually fall in place. I have no regrets.
Today I lead a wonderful marital life and my spouse is an understanding and a caring partner. I am happy I did it and finished it all when I was young. And it was alright I think in my view that I did it and experienced it once and for all instead of cheating on my partner.
I’ve questioned your values before, and I’m going to question your “values” again. This is NOT because you had a threesome. I’m a strong believer that what happens between informed consenting adults, should remain their prerogative. So I don’t have the right, nor will I judge you on your sex life. However, I will question your sense of value, as it seems to be based more on you being judgmental, than of logical values. [Wow you do know so much, had a threesome lately? How was it? Maybe you could write it for the Times?]
Since it apparently made you understand more about yourself, good for you. It helped me understand more about you as well [That’s my duty!]. It showed me that you’re sexist, hypocritical, judgmental, and that you’re an ego-centric wannabe [Thank You, it makes me feel really appreciated. At least nobody can ignore me see?]. And it also shows me that you think only you can satisfy women in a threesome, that only penetration can give pleasure, and that you’re under the false assumption that you’re a sex god. Geez! [The facts are misunderstood here, the article doesn’t state a comparison, this blogger literally makes one]
And then you become even more judgmental and ego centric. You’re probably the type of man that Sach refers to as a person who can’t be called a male chauvinistic pig, becuase [Because?You sure get your ‘becauses’ all wrong] that would be an insult to pigs. You’re the type that says “do whatever you want, and when you get married to a nice woman, all your sins would be forgiven”. You’re and insult to all men, and don’t think I’m a woman writing this, cos [because, hurry to scribble your hate huh?] I’m not. Last time I checked (which was about an hour ago when I went to the loo [lavatory]) I was a man.
You’re a sad little creature, and Nilma is an even sadder creature for writing that lame excuse for an article.

The Ending
Pink Boxing Gloves is some lunatic who doesn’t even state their actual identity so the fact remains that this individual is very enigmatic. However, I know that this person is a DIRECT competitor because when I published my article(http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/01/20/mag04.asp) on the 20th of January in the Observer, this Pinkie Glove case goes and publishes something like a retaliation piece on some pre-marital sex piece called ‘Taboo’. Please note Pink Boxing Gloves has no name and God Knows who this person is except of course the Features Editor Renuka of Times (Gosh! I wouldn’t want to ask her!). Anyway, I’m way past third-grade low-class work like going and criticizing this Pinkie's work or anyone for that matter lest it fall upon myself. However please note this person publishes an article two weeks after the threesome piece. Coincidence? Or Jealousy? And this person sends me an email about it saying ‘A remotely decent article on a remotely controvertial subject. Learn.’ Excuse me, aren’t you the monkey praising your own tail? Look up at what you said!Another thing might I mention this individual says, ‘Good thought, and I was being serious about that english class... Please, for all the reader's sake....’ Shall I teach you how to spell ‘Because’? It’s B-e-c-a-u-s-e NOT Cos!

Sad About Sripathi

2008-02-09T05:38:00.000-08:00

Really sad about Sripathi Sooriyarachchi's death, not that he was a good leader but because he really 'tried' to fight for what was right.
However, I do suppose it's a bit fishy because yesterday I got an invitation from Ruwan Ferdinands, Mangala Samaraweera's right hand for a press conference with regard to the SLFP Mahajana wing's University Student's Federation. They were having it at Tiran Alles' CBE office and it was supposed to take place at 10:30am this morning (Saturday 9th Feb) however, I didn't really make an effort to go because I represent Lakehouse and we don't put anti-governmental stuff.
Anyway, I while I was battling out where 'To Go Or Not To Go' I was immersed in the Features stuff and totally absorbed with my stuff in Magazine. Then like after 2 hours I get Rajitha, the Layout Editor telling me that Sripathi died. It was a blow.Really I knew Sripathi in those days when I was at the Standard and they were in the melting pot of the papers shutting down and the whole 'Parameshweri' fiasco.
MP Sripathi Sooriyarachchi was travelling to Colombo from Anuradhapura when the Pajero Intercooler (Prado) with five of his entourage. It was likely that the vehicle was speeding because of less traffic on a Saturday and they entered the Galgamuwa area. However, when the driver took a turn at the Medagama junction the vehicle toppled near the edge of the bend and crashed into a tree.
All the same, I felt really sad and it was a huge coincidence that his death had to coincide with his officially expelling from his Ministry by our President. My mind was cluttered with whether he came for the pressie and Ruwan told me he didn't come. As for Mangala, in the midst of it he told that Mangala did attend the press conference. I was pretty shocked myself but really wondering whether he was on his way to the conference or what.
I am really sure that the vehicle was tampered before Sooriyarachchi was leaving and it had to be from someone inside. It was pretty tragic and it had to be a masterly crafted plan.Last year in November a bomb was thrown at his residence while he was visiting MP Samaraweera.
The Former Minister caused controversy with Mangala Samaraweera by forming the SLFP(M) wing where many of the scandals revolved around misusing state funds for the benefit for politicians and to support various ministerial portfolios.
Further reports from our Anuradhapura correspondent told that there were another 5 traveling with the MP and 2 died on the spot, the bodyguards, David Peter Samarasinghe alias "Kumara" and S.K.P Silva. At the time of rushing to the hospital, one of the three who were injured, M.K. Gunaratna succumbed to his injuries after being transferred to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital from the Thambuttegama Hospital. Lakmal Wijesiri and A.P.M.Nihal Kumara were the other two who are injured with Lakmal in a more critical position than Nihal. Ministers S. M. Chandrasena, Bandula Basnayake, Duminda Disaanayake and Jayaratna Herath came to see the casualties who were in the ward one of the Anuradhapura Hospital.
Sripathi Sooriyarachchi was the former Minister of Skills Development and Public Enterprise and Reforms and also was a Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports. Sripathi Sooriyarachchi was a lawyer by profession and was a very versatile sportsman excelling in wrestling, cricket and elle. Having recived education at Christ King College, Thudella and thereafter St.Anthony's College, Wattala, he emerged an All-Island champion in 80kg, 90kg and 105kg weight classes in wrestling by representing the Kandana Wrestling Club. He also played competitive cricket for Bristol Sports Club, Kandana. Sooriyarachchi has also served as an officer at the Sri Lanka Navy before retiring as a lieutenant. Later, he followed law and became a lawyer. He has also taken part at Sri Lanka Navy Inter-Regimental meets with distinction.
He leaves behind his wife and two daughters Trishani and Piumi who go to Lyceum International School. The next in line to fill his place is Arjuna Ranatunga's father Reggie.

Do You Ever Feel?

2008-02-05T02:51:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel?
How that baby girl feels in the Intensive Care Unit?
Will she ever know her killers who made her father blind?
Will she ever grown up to be a beauty despite her bleeding ear?
Will she ever hear? You being so near, do you even shed a tear?
Do you ever feel?
How you felt when you managed to catch that train?
You were happy to go there in time again?
However, this time around, when you got to your destination,
You were greeted with smoke, blood, a decapitated head and anguished emotion?
Do you ever feel?
How it was like to be a part of that army band,
Who huddled together under your command,
However, your screams weren't heard in midst of the spitfire,
You felt a release as you were lifted higher.
Do you ever feel?
What it is like to see suffering, to ask how suffering is and to know the cause of suffering?
How it feels to make those hues and cries,
As yet another person dies?
You'd never see for you are far too blind, you hear!
As blind as the father who couldn't see his babe with her bleeding ear..

What the Fuck?

2008-02-01T02:22:00.000-08:00

"Cuz I Just Wanna Be Famous, Be So Fucking Jaded, Cuz All The Playboy Bunnies Take My Money From Me, Show Up At The Oscars, Smoke Out Dennis Hopper, The Money Is For Nothing... yeah like Wes Scantlin sings, I too wanna be famous, so maybe my pretty face wasn't that enough so I resort to writing all heaps of crap in the national newspaper of Sri Lanka.
Like shit! shouldn't they have hired someone else especially with my brilliant career history and wonderful elements of idiosyncrases.. Bloddy hell...
So then obviously many (bloggers) think that I have this pompous air and a half about my writing abilities and many (bloggers) really question (probably as a result of jealousy) about my position as a journalist at the state-owned newspaper so what? I mean I was just relating a story, why the freaking Hell should it be such a disastrous calamity? I mean yes, of course our editors really have to spruce up the paper and put some interesting elements, I mean fine so if they really think that the state-owned newspaper should conform to 'conservative' standards but Hello People, this is the NEW GENERATION and sad to say, guys I'm part of it, so go figure!
I for one was really shaken up should the whole Buddhist Monks Sanghama come and protest about my whole threesome article and Editor specifically that 'we might not be able to carry it' so I was like thats ok but then his next reaction was he kinda encouraged me (due to the fact that is sounded really interesting) and was like however 'lets see how it goes' and to ask Mr. Lion (Ass Editor) about whether we could put it.
So Lion roars at me and says why should we put it and its totally degrading our paper and why should we aim to enlighten some experience of a guy about his threesome thing?
And I was like yeah so fine I suppose we can't run anything like that but Mr. Lion we should tell that we aren't ignorant about what goes behind the doors of them public houses. I mean rather Lion, we should tell that probably your children and spouses and aunties and parents are all indulging why don't we damn write something about it, and quite reluctantly Lion as a result of Editor's request was like 'Oh so ok I'll put it then but You'd have to put your byline and it can't be anonymous' so I was like oh well, what to do? Might as well run it since I am unabated by the
hence my facebook profile is like visible to all and so are my articles that are like transparent views of my true stance as a journalist. So I went ahead and only put my article with my byline because I had to and Lion insisted. And history was created! They say I wrote something completely out of the ordinary, you just check the other stuff that went, I mean some of my fellow journos working here also have written much worse things and they pick on me! Fuck them all!
So Help Me God! I did it all because not only did I wanna kick outta my Sunday morning but also share the fact that I was a very blunt writer and why should we be hypocritical about everything.
I mean they say us Sri Lankans have conservative cultures and hush-hush not to talk about sex but people, wake up and smell the coffee! I mean gay MPs in Parliament and rantings about the sex drive of our Chief Justice why can't we be open about it? Hell, like I got sued or something?
These people who react so aghastly to my teeny-weeny itsy-bitsy article are the ones indulge in such threesomes and sex romps! Let us make waves on the paper hence I like the waves I make for the blogs written by idiots of the country who have no outlet which with to scream so when little old me puts something like this, Hell Hath No Fury!
So let them say whatever they wanna say. I mean just because I wrote some crap doesn't mean I'm degraded.
Bloggers - Grow up and go get a life! Nobody reads blog crap. The majority of the country reads the Sunday Observer so go fuck off!

I Tried

2008-01-23T05:10:00.000-08:00

I tried to make you understand,
I tried to make you see,
That I really wanted to hold your hand,
When we were both alone on that balcony

I tried to muster up my courage,
I tried to release my inner feeling,
I wanted to really salvage,
My sanity of mind that was reeling

I tried to make the words come out,
I tried to make some sense,
I tried my best but they never came out of my mouth,
And I really thought what I told was nonsense.

I tried to lean close and look,
I tied to catch your eye,
My heart beat faster and shook,
I tried but realised I couldn’t try.

Why me, I wonder?
Why me at all?
I tried but I always stumble and I fall,
I tried to whisper my poems in your ear,
I tried to not shed a tear,
I tried my very best,
I tried to take the test,
I tried and cried and somewhere in my heart I died.

I tried to make you understand,
I tried to make you see,
I tried but it was all in vain,
But you weren’t meant for me.

Do You Ever Wonder?

2008-01-23T05:06:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wonder if you were like that hungry child?
Do you ever wonder if you were young and let loose like that into the wild?
Do you ever wonder how it’ll be like to have no limbs or arms?
Or ever wonder if you didn’t possess your worldly charms?
The week's been pretty crazy! I hope I'm still in a sane spirit to continue my quest to write poetry.

Do You Ever Wonder?

Do you ever wonder if the sky ever would tumble and fall?
Do you ever wonder if this doom’s day will divide us all?
Do you ever wonder if you were left to fend for yourself?
Do you ever wonder what the crystal ball will tell?

You know that I do,
Wonder all these things too,
Small things that ring so true,
If I wasn’t I would you be you?

Do you ever wonder if the sky falls one day?
Do you ever wonder what those angels will say?
Do you ever wonder how it would be?
If you weren't here with me?

2008-01-18T05:46:00.000-08:00

Dearest Blog,
Gosh! I didn’t know people actually READ my blog, erm, well hell so people must be wondering why the freak I have one? Good question, well I really thought that one of my New Year’s Resolution was to always update my blog. However, I daresay already I’ve kinda broken it by not always enlightening people about my life. So then I thought, screw it and go and write some poetry. Even though I was planning to write this book after I was inspired by the Galle Literary Festival, well you can’t run out of words, or rather can you? Anyway speaking of which, the Galle Literary Festival was supposed to bring great names like Shobaa De and novelist Michael Ondaatje but they failed to show up including Carl Muller, whom someone told he was sick. As for Ameena Hussein of ph-books, well she was recovering from surgery. I really couldn’t fathom why these people thought Galle was dangerous as with regard to bombs. So here goes a poem like trying to get my poetic nuances inspired by the great Indran Amirthanayagam. Wow he’s such a great person. Here goes nothing:
I tried to entice myself to venture on to shore of the sandy beach,
Where my wrinkly toes near the sea would reach,
Dipping my toes in the golden grains of pureness,
Clinging onto my heels like cooked couscous,
Wading in the sodium-chlorine liquid diffused in the water,
The breezy air tastes salty like as if an angel cried an invisible tear,
I like to gorge myself with the thought of Poseidon rising out of the abyss,
Or maybe the Loch Ness probably my thoughts would like to suffice,
Maybe it being too far-fetched and far-fathoming,
I try to envision this particular person my heart bends towards a yearning,
Are they thinking of me possibly while a ripple is curving?
I hope they reminisce those times which oh so matter,
My heart goes aflutter and pitter-patter,
I fear not the feeling of drowning,
And I never I spend a moment ever frowning,
I watch unnerved as those waves splash against my calf,
They slide near my feet just like an ice shelf cut in half,
I giveth my soul to the lonely sea,
Oh please come and save me,
For I fear not drowing in your powerful lure,
Because your soul is calm and restoundingly pure!

New Year 2008

2008-01-02T04:23:00.001-08:00

First of all wish you a very happy new year!
My new year started at home, at my parent's pad with sparkling red juice, biscuits and fruits. So Dada went on and on about new year resolutions and all, and how I gotta study and do something worthwhile for the country. And that saying before the shooting attack against UNP MP Mahesweran and today's (Wednesday) claymore bomb explosion near Union Place. Geez! What do these people think that they are doing? Starting the year with more killings? Anyway they can't be blamed, we are fighting the war like hell.
The year started pretty funnily, I realised some things, I made a few mistakes but everything was okay I guess in the end...
I do hope I'll like last at Lakehouse for some time and be on good terms with people here. At least I get advice everyday and even though I think everything is shape, you never know whats really going on. I hope I stick by my resolutions, geez, what fate and what problems!
Gosh really don't know what to do.
I hope to study further, I aim to achieve what I can achieve, I aim to be a better person, I aim to be more spiritual, I aim to be more careful with my words and my friends, I aim to be more friendly and careful about people.

Last night, really didn’t know whether I got an answer

2007-11-15T00:16:00.000-08:00

Really deciding my life isn’t living up to expectations with the hive of buzzing activity around my sphere which I don’t even register so then I was wondering what the freak is the point of having a blog if you don’t record an instance of what happens to your day.
I don't do any justice to keeping a blog either!
I mean I do attend quite a multitude of parties and event and stuff without bothering to note them and what the hell! Thereafter I’d forget everything when writing my memoirs because I’d be concentrating more on my boring old age life than the interesting stuff taking place in my freaking 20s! Gosh! What will my kids think of me, should I have kids?
I mean they’d think what a boring ole Mom I was who didn’t live the great, glitzy and glamourpuss life!
So about last night…did I get an answer? Not sure really...maybe this will enlighten oneself on last night's answer...
[Deleted]

TNL ONSTAGE 2007 GRAND FINALS

2007-11-13T04:23:00.000-08:00

Start the music....Save the World...
Boy they sure started the music and did they save the world?
Maybe they saved the world in more ways than one but yet music really saves souls and honestly, my soul was saved in a fire-burning spirit way with the mayhem music that was generated at the Grand Finals of TNL ONSTAGE 2007 held at the SLECC on the 10th of November 2007.
I got freaking late for the gig because some smart-arse VIP politician came and held up T.B.Jayah Mawatha for around 15 minutes and I was stuck in the traffic jam. Cursing and cursing and cursing after finally waiting for an eternity like...I finally made it to the SLECC amidst the throngs of rockers who made their way to the same destination as mine.
Anyway, I met my buddy Hash(not Hashish-Hashir) after he hurried to the venue to watch his mates Icarus play right after he finished helping out with his school's Breakin' Bars production that was wonderfully received by Colombo theatre-goers. Eventually, when we finally made it, I was literally shocked and choked to know that these TNL ONSTAGE organisers finally decided to start very much close to time.
Hey Guest band Thriloka is such an amazing percussion band that they will definitely play for my wedding hopefully if I get married one day..
I saw Kavan grooving to the Elvis Prestly classic 'Rock Around the Clock'. He sure was good, very sweet-faced but oh boy the voice didn't really prove to be a hit like the legendary King himself.
As for Mariam, really don't know why she went sexy raunchy paunchy hottie...I mean the girl is hot but I don't the judges bought that sex-siren police girl look...especially when the girl held an umbrella instead of a police baton. Hmm...I mean fine, she sang the Police song 'Every Breath You Take' briliantly but I was quite flabbergasted as to why she went and chose this style instead of her nice suave subtle smooth style when she performed 'Roxana' in that hot red mackintosh-like top.
Anyway, Manuk wasn't heard over his keyboard for Mika's 'Grace Kelly' song so was allowed another chance but I don't think he was received that too well since he seems pretty nervous and intimidated by the crowd.
Lakmal Kandy boy was great, many really liked his style and voice even though his attitude near the mike seems uncertain. Laky mate try to be more genuine and feel the music run thru your soul when you sing bro! Then I'm sure you'll win.
Which was why...CC a.k.a Crishantha won the title of TNL ONSTAGE SOLOIST WINNER 2007 for his lovely gorgeous Scott Staff 'The Great Divide' and Evanescence's 'My Immortal' songs. He sure has come a long way from those prillys when I was a tad bit skeptical as to whether he'll make it or not.However, he's got the burning drive and spirit and melted the hearts of the lady judges I'm sure which put him on top of the game. Well done, mate C.C. Cool Connection :)
As for Hip Hop, I think all the ladies went gaga over Shiam coz he was the Justin Timberlake cuttie pie but then again, Dirt 4 Four was pretty awesome as well.Kavisha did prove to be a hit with the crowd but Noughty Coast actually won with his pumping hip-hopping freestyling frenzy.
So finally I was contemplating which band will win.
Well you got SAM the R&B nice band-next-door dudes but lead vocalist isn't really expressive and pumpy when he sings...He looks like half-asleep and he doesn't pay much attention to the crowd...I mean at least give a wink to the lovely ladies? Nope...well that didn't prove to be a hit with the judges.
I spoke to Admin head (Sudath) of TNL Radio and he told me that the boys of Wagon Park are extremely difficult to control and can't actually stay in one place coz of ants in their pants...Of course those weren't his exact words but oh you know...he said it like that. So I was like..oh I see....60s mayhem hard-hitting powerful tripping rock grunge metal punk rage music..Even my formerly distantly related cousin Shaad noted about how they behaved and was like 'They sure look stoned' and well, stoned they were...I'm sure the authorities have to be careful when bands play when they are drugged...intentionally or by accident.
Icarus was really coy boys with Sprite all over their pretty faces. Nathan sang flat for Snow Patrol's 'Run' song which was surprising since I thought they'd do a cool original they are fabulously noted for. You see, even though they all love Snow Patrol, singing over a crowd of some 15 thousand and stuff over wide speakers and funny sound controls, you shouldn't really sing a slow flow song....right? any advisers? Anyway, 'Intoxicated by You' was amazing, I love the part when Nathan sings, 'I wanna get under your miniskirt' gosh..maybe he saw the mini I was wearing....erm..hey btw, I wore the Icarus t-shirt coz Hash gave it to me and I really think they have to be supported because them anti-suddah rockers go and call them 'Hokaris' which is really bad and I wanted to let the world know that even though they are foreigners, we must make them feel welcome especially when they perform in Sri Lanka...them stupid rumour-starters..farters..lol!
Well, I loved Nathan's Sprite act and with boys, Sheron, Ameer and Shehan they sure as heaven deserved the Sprite band title.
Hm...Merlock really rocked and I will vote for them as the best metal band in Sri Lanka since they are major and bang bang bang!
Really amazing band, and really rocking...They won the title for their original song 'Crimson Skies' which was a real crowd-pleaser.
But big big drum roll......THE BEST BAND FOR THE YEAR 2007 WAS HOLLOW!
My gorgeous cousin Khazim (at home he's called Akeel) was a real heart-breaker so much so that I was so crazy that I asked him for a date! Sheesh! What was I thinking and he was looking at me like I was some alien...Well maybe I was not..LOL!
Yet with Akeel I never thought in my wildest dreams that he would ever take over his rhythm guitarist brother Zia to become a major guitarist...and he has such a good ear for music especially learning the guitar chords by ear with virtually no knowledge of reading music whatsoever.
Akeel was this attitude problem kid who never spoke to girls much when he was a kid but a massive transformation took place one fine day and he had a huge growth spurt and is like one of the tallest in the family with baby brown eyes and amazing hair! Guess now I think he must be into girls...
Geez...I seem to be losing my mind now so I'll stop.
Just for the record, people please take a look at the article I did on HOLLOW prior to their winning the TNL ONSTAGE 2007 BEST BAND title.
GOOD SHOW TNL!

http://www.lakbimanet.com/lakbimanews/lakbimanews_07_10_07/mag/mag9.htm

Colombo's Screwed

2007-11-08T00:56:00.003-08:00

Yeah Colombo is totally screwed to the max!
Not only hosting the most happening parties including the Global DJs Fever that has swept over Cosmo CMB fire the tsunami scare around a week ago.
Talking about the place that has got the Cramps, TRAMPS pimp Dhiren dude notoriously a Party Prince (ehem quoted by HI! magazine) supposedly word has got round that he has spent every ounce of his life on parties parties and more(you guessed it) parties. I mean the dude literally sold all his stuff in his US apartment and was found having the world's worst hangover on a freaking mattress (only furniture in the place)! Hows that for a Party Prince! Really...
However, 'Un Prince de Sri Lankaise' has come a long long way from dressing up his pet guinea pigs with million dollar bling blings. Today he's got that Trampy place with Russian (chick)ens..And boy has he tied up right with Dinesh Pee cum toy-boy to open a white (cocaine-theme) joint called 'Ds'. Yeah well Dinky case is owed some 90 million smackeroons from the Govt. for security ehem social services and well he's planning what he's gonna do with all them millions when them millions cum! Lol!
Well now back to 'Ds' yeah minimalistic balistic atmosphere where one can smoke weed and ex-tasy till they die actually. Many fail to note the various cameras located everywhere around the Dinky department because big boss likes a bitta real-life Sri Lankan+Suddah porn now and then hence the technology connected all over. In fact machang notes 'I can even log in anywhere from the world using the internet to see whats going on in this place' gosh the grin is enough to make a big win.
Overalls and all, I think them lesbian parties and bi parties will prevail everywhere. The ARSHAD+DHEE+SWAIREE party rocked like mad...
Gosh mara happening huh?
LOL!

2007-11-08T00:53:00.000-08:00

Well it sure is evident that this world is pretty crapped up at this moment.
I really don't know why people get mad at little simple and harmless things.
Jealousy and envy is order of the day.
I can't comprehend the feeling of a multitude of emotions that is experienced by a person who is angry and has a huge attitude problem.
This world sure sucks.
So help me God!

Getaway!

2007-11-02T03:53:00.000-07:00

GORGEOUS GETAWAY

Lucky was I one day, sitting there hammering away at the keyboard when Ruki comes to me sulky face and tells that there’s this amazing bungalow review over the weekend. Her parents didn’t give her permission so can I go?
Well, me being the adventurous type I am, I actually was so majorly overjoyed that I was gonna trek to Udawalawe to the amazing bungalow of (drum roll please) Romesh Kaluwitharana. It was absolutely awesome. Details?
On the beautiful Thursday of 4th October sheesh or was it Friday? Sorry anyway I headed to Galadari hotel where my good mate and superb friend Nirukshi (PR Managress) met me and we whisked off to the Sunday Times office to gather Sanath and Dunstan to journey with us. The sensational and dashing Romesh or Kalu as I called him ( ;) ) came to pick us all up in his white Pajero. Amazing. Nirukshi is Kalu’s good friend and Kalu sure has a lovely heart and a good listening ear. We broke the ice almost quickly and he was already familiar with Sanath who is his neighbour and photographer 71-year-old Dunstan won an action picture with Kalu as the action hero and well I was the only one whom he had to familiar with himself. And I daresay we got on really well.
The ride was pretty awesome itself, passing Horana, Ingiriya, Rathnapura, Kirella, Embilipitiya and we even stopped to drink thambili and also have lunch at Sun Ray restaurant a quaint and nice place near Rathnapura.
Finally made it by 4pm to the bungalow and boy, was it awesome!
The entrance is pretty neat with a bark of a tree carved to make a nice resting place where one can sniff in a breath of fresh air.
Then you get the concrete stool and table where you can gaze upon the stars and the shooting stars in the starry velvet sky.
Kalu was saying that once when he wanted to fix a leak on the roof, he climbed the ladder and went up and nearly fell down breathless at the gorgeous view from there and he then finally decided to make a special VIP room there.
I got room 4 and believe me, when I opened my windows, natural air conditioning streamed through like I was Gone with the Wind. I was greeted to my very own (two) major queen-sized beds with crispy clean sheets and the dressing table with a bowl laden with spices to refresh your soul. The bathroom with cool and clear water trickled and the scent of sandalwood soap resonated in the air.
The lounge is pretty awesome with low-wood boards and green pin comfy cushions along with cable TV. The manager Niranjan was really helpful and he is also an amazing cook while the gardener has ensured that the okra and bean sprout plants have been well tended. The other crops grown was ‘Uguru Assa’,
I awoke to a bright early morning and settled in the hammock with my eyes gazing at the lovely birds when suddenly a bright blue peacock came rushing and calling his mate. I got up with a start and went to discover what he was ranting about. Apparently his peahen wasn’t in sight and he was pretty upset.
Anyway, I tried to help him find his lovergirl but I was amazed to have stumbled upon a natural rock pool with gorgeous brackish water with swimming guppy.
Kalu had stated that he wanted to have a cool camping site where nature trekkers can gaze at the stars and sleep in peace totally in tune with nature.
As with the scenery Kalu noted, “You know I recommend our Sri Lankans to check out the rock pool but the foreigners have such delicate skin so if I recommend it to them and something bad happens, I don’t want to be blamed for it”.
The whole experience of getting away to Kalu's Hideway was awesome!
We were really sad to leave all the lovely elephants and wildlife but oh well, what was to be done.
Kalu remains a good friend and thanks to Nirukshi and crowd I truly had a wonderful time.
Will write more soon.

Happening Stuff

2007-09-27T01:23:00.000-07:00

See people I didn't mean to spark a controversy. Even though I get mixed reactions for my work and stuff, seriously I didn't really imply people doing stuff. Take for instance certain stuff I've written like I honestly didn't intend the pun but really meant it for fun.I know I wasn't right but I wasn't wrong either.Let anyone sue me, I am ready to rumble! Anyway whoever sues me I'm gonna do forward defense and attack with all my weapons. Like hell!
On a more weird note, the IT system at Dialog actually shut down for like the whole day like from 9am in the morning till 7pm and funny thing is that nobody in Dialog is available to comment.Now I knew this coz I had a prob with my Dialog and the darn thing didn't fix up till later.What nonsense...I mean imagine DIALOG shutting down for a day,shit them and their 3.5 million customers of which I am one of them. Mr.Mohammed I take it you have to state your comment.Hans is too handsome to be asked for a comment.
Anyway, there is this terrible competition on the TNL ONSTAGE front. Apparently many bands have been fighting with a certain band called Hokaris oops I mean I don't know who really, but horn-lockers are aplenty. I mean why do the dudes have to say this and that really?
Talk about fucking up the system.
Really I don't know why I have to cook up a controversy and why I have to be the bad girl and why I have to get kicked around, and why everything happens to me.
OH well THATS LIFE!

HIT WITH A CLUB!

2007-09-11T04:46:00.002-07:00

Talking about that former Café d’Artiste or F-Artiste which housed a really crappy restaurant called Bombay Palace, I mean who wants to go to Barista’s for coffee and then have shit Indian food? I mean some morons surely…
Anyway that place is also renamed coz the dude called Dinesh Perera and the Joint Leg Dhiren-of Tramps (Cramps) designed the place like some white scene and named it Ds. Yeah no prizes for guessing though….
So www.zetter.lk aka ZETTER shit was the formerly run by Thoshan TABU club with some clichéd tagline called somewhere halfway between the stars and heaven I mean what sorta bull is that???
Talk about witty nonsense….
On a more positive aspect then we got H20 which only made ends meet with an expensive entrance ticket and then Dinesh and Gehan F. started Sugar for the oldies esp foreigners who patronise the place like a bargain sale even though there’s hardly any space for breathing people do like rubbing shoulder and crotches with the rest there and its pretty crowded…
Hmmm….then there’s this Bayleaf Commons whole Harpo harping on everything ….
Not bad but everyone hangs there for some final match or hang out for some farewell party or birthday scene…But cant say it’s the THE THING though…
CASA COLOMBO is good and all, but not sure whether anyone who’s got used to Colombo wants to really stay there, probably a good place to chill and stuff…
Maybe at T republic or the funnily shaped kiss on the wall…..thing where the Ice3 bar is…check www.casacolombo.com well the kiss isn’t there but the place is shown on site pretty funny you think its something else…guess all artists have to see it for themselves..
Then….if you talk about another hot spot like R&B for oldies and then there’s no space for any breathing either…I mean there’s hardly any space for the band either so how in the world can they even…
Boring club life….
When I open a club it’s gonna be the HAPPENING PLACE (Check my Lakbima news paper for story) and then I’m gonna get Sade on opening night…After all, she was inspired to produce the whole Promises album after coming to Sri Lanka and hanging out with Mangala Samaraweera at Hiks (Hikkaduwa) or wherever really don’t know…
And then I wonder who exactly gave her the true inspiration for Jezebel.
LOL!
Then yeah my club…it’s gonna have this huge flying saucer rotating piece on a tall tower and I’m gonna put some laser lights and make it into a different planet…
Yeah all in my dreams!

TNL ONSTAGE HORN-LOCKER FIRST ROUND

2007-09-11T04:46:00.001-07:00

Well I like so need to update this!
Number one, did have a pretty awesome weekend…
If you talk about Staurday, TNL ONSTAGE was rocking, the gig was awesome, really, I mean fine you can’t call the first round like awesome.
I stepped into the freaking Zetter formerly known as TABU…
I was wondering whether Thoshan Ediriweera got bankrupt or something and sold it to some other rich fucker maybe not.
So where was I yeah the ONSTAGE gig, so went for the show, and what caught me was the fashion style these teeny boppers prance around in.
One kid really was some eye popping with her haywired devilish school girl meets office secretary outfit with her boyfriend’s tie strangling her neck…
MY MY Talk about the vampire costumes on display at Transvylvania…
And you should really see the devilish dudes showing off their piercings and tongue rings and earrings and it sure as hell was like a boxing ring thereafter…no no just kidding, there was enough security to stop a suicidal sexbomber honestly…
Anyway about the show….
Batti born DJ Michael Hall hosted the show and Anil Balasuriya was pretty kind enough to let us Lak cases in, so the first opening act came as SAM – Not the man but the band! I heard their funky and hot version of the Arctic Monkeys song “When the Sun Goes Down” and now I sing it in the shower..seriously…
I nostalgically reminisced one of my Xs when I go ‘he’s a scumbag’..especially when SCUM is so accented in Brit. Oh and God Knows why they did the Wet Wet Wet song “Love is All Around” completely no relevance really…bunch of crap..
INFEST was next and they were pretty hopeful, I mean they did lowdown an Eagles classic and their Bon Jovi classic ‘Always’ was so LIKE A DEAD COVER!
Inferno was like Kick-ARSING SUPERB! System of a Down song ‘Chopsuey’ was so BUDO AMO! The rest please don’t ask…Honestly I went in for the originality but guess these dudes wouldn’t really display all their original talent and save it for the FINALs SHOULD THEY BE SELECTED!
FATHOMS DEEP was a real fathomer with Shinedown’s ‘Save Me’ and a cool original composition titled ‘Memories’ for a friend who married that day. Topping it off with an Iced Earth groove ‘Watching over Me’. They were pretty amazing but they could do with a good look…really…
Then GREY MIND DOMAIN got a deafening cheer and obviously coz they produced songs called ‘Into my Mind’ and ‘Psychic Spell’ and ended with a fusion mix of that Eric Clapton classic ‘Laila’ with a twist of Derrick and the Dominos version of it as well.
Last but not least, Metal THRASHERS MERLOCK caused a whirlwind meets tsunami meets Hurrican Katrina with 2 original efforts titled ‘Crimson Skies’ and ‘Disclosure’. Finally, they ended their stuff with that Black Sabbath number called ‘Paranoid’.
Talk about the mayhem but then again MAY THE BEST DUDES WIN!

Better Beach Prospects

2007-08-24T02:01:00.000-07:00

In those days whenever the sudas (tourists) check in at the Riverina Hotel,Beruwela-so called because its near a magrove decorated river, they are in dire need of Winter Sun, which means they want to escape the winter of their country and want to see sun anywhere else, hence they come to Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, plenty of new tourists were discouraged from going to the Beach because there were these hooligans clinging on the hotel's fence to attract their attention by screaming and shouting 'Joduwak' which is slang for couple, like clinching deals and saying those clients are theirs and preventing the others from getting to them.
Not only was this stupid and idiotic on part of the 'vanduras' (monkeys) they were but also demeaning for the tourists. The hotel security also couldn't control them because they'd come rushing in hordes of elephants and it sure was terrible.
So after many years of this stupid incidence happening because the Bentota-Beruwela beach stretch was extremely popular for tourists and it was so beautiful. Beruwela is so nice because its got this amazing island opposite the Riverina Hotel and its such a gorgeous islet of land. Absolutely stunning scene.
Anyway, so then one fine day the wonderful people of UK decided to help unfortunate Sri Lanka with the help of the Travel Foundation UK to bring about a reform of the Beach Boys in Sri Lanka.
So they got the Responsible Tourism Partnership (RTP) to send Mr.Sociologist from Uni of Colombo Sanjeewa to deal with them hooligans..
At first he was at the brunt of criticism nobody thought he'd get round to them..
So after much coaxing and befriending, they finally became friendly and then opened their eyes.
In fact the whole personality development programme cost a few hundred thousand rupees which was a small amount for just enlightening these unmannered youth into behaving properly.
So then they kinda realised geez that what they were doing was stupid, insane and ridiculous.
The motto the RTP was 'Don't Chase the Tourists, We Will Get the Tourists to Chase You'!
And that is how it is like today.
I mean they now employ a roster basis where everyone can get a chance and every BEACH OPERATOR (as now they are called) and everything is really dandy now, no hanging monkeys on the fence, no scaring away poor tourists, no problems, happy hotel security and best of business!
It was a truly heavenly experience entering the hotel with minimal hassle, going on a boat ride that helped us understand Nature's Bounty, the mangroves on the river bank that was amazing!
Imagine there are 59 species of mangroves in the world and Sri Lanka has 29 species and on that river bank about 9 different species of mangrove. And the guide who went with us all the way was a Beach Operator called Manjula who seem to knowledgeable on everything and can speak Russian,English and German kind-of fluently. Anyway the point is that this is such a great solution why didn't they think of it earlier huh?
However, these things take time but now its in practice and people are heeding the advice knowing fully well its not only betterment for the tourism industry but for their livelihood as well.
comments on shazrina@gmail.com and comment my blog thanks!

Quandary

2007-08-01T23:04:00.000-07:00

When I open my eyes every morn,
I don’t hear the sweet rouse of the rooster at dawn,
Instead I hear a distant gunshot rumble,
Then pain, suffering and a death wish mumble,
The figures of the list is way too long,
For those who suffer never did any wrong
I lift my emaciated self from my broken bedside,
To taste the rancid water from the wayside,
Not like I have a choice but I’m parched with this Eastern heat,
I can’t even bring myself to my feet,
My siblings in the south live in peace and sanity,
Their humble abodes are worth a beauty,
Mine was whitewashed and built after the death wave,
It was a generous white-skinned priest, who gave,
Yet my own people fuelled with greed and envy,
Shattered it to smithereens and now they cry joy,
I glimpse my glistening house with a view of the side,
How I wish I could live inside,
But I can’t no matter what I do,
If we build they will break too,
My sad, grief and sorrow turns to sorrow,
Wondering what I should do tomorrow,
These demons haunt me at night,
I feel like to fight is right,
Maybe I will join these hunters in their quest,
I deserve what I feel is best,
To live my life free of bound,
These chains that hold me down to the ground,
They never allow us to swim in our China Bay,
Like dolphins we roamed every single day,
Maybe I should surrender to those who reside in the green,
Who keep insisting that they will be back again,
Even before the celebration fireworks die in the city,
Improving their side is nitty-gritty,
Those who lost will take a stance,
A fresh beginning and a new chance,
So why not leave this depressing fate,
All I breed for my people is hate,
The hate of losing my tranquil peace,
My loved ones who lived with ease,
Now they only signify a tombstone grave,
This is the gift that war gave,
My only solitude is to live my life,
The way I want to without any pain or strife,
Please release me from this quandary.

Random Stuff As Heard By Me

2007-08-01T23:03:00.000-07:00

‘Oh! Think twice it’s just another day for you and me in Paradise’ croons Phil Collins reflecting how lucky it is to be alive and not wonder where your next meal will come from or how long you will be a homeless refugee.
Living in a country waged by war, the closest you will experience to the horrors of war is only if you are checked at some checkpoint or if a suicide cadre blasts somewhere which is more your unfortunate fate or coincidence.
It is hard to believe that it’s not us who succumb to the atrocities of war but the innocent people who suffer up there in the north and now the recently liberated east.
So it is most saddening to hear that nearly four years after the tsunami, that most of the hard-hit south has been completely restored to not only to normalcy but exceeding expectations where majority of the eastern province of Sri Lanka is still suffering.
It is now known to this writer that more than 60 percent of the people of the Eastern Province are displaced like refugees not because of the tsunami but because of the war. Several NGOs have come forward to build and help resettle some of those displaced as a result of the tsunami but the war has made them settle in shanty-like huts and tents next door to their badly bombed newly whitewashed houses.
Imagine the tragedy!
So is it the practice here to give what was taken away but then again take what was given???!
I can’t believe people are so ignorant to the east when without any hesitation our country folk give to the south. In today’s context, the south is so important, why?
Numero uno, our president is from the south, then we holiday in the beautiful south, we can access the south easily as well as the people are friendly in the south and of course the legendary Sir A.C Clarke resides in the freaking south!
Oh well, it’s sad but true and in the end it is the children who suffer.
The poor sanitation facilities are sickening, poor kids are malnourished and look weak and frail. Most of them suffer with sores and burns due to the scorching heat and many of them lie in hospital. Oh and the hospital they go to is either bombed or nobody’s there to take care of them. Now however, the Italian Red Cross has taken over to look into the well-being of these people.
The fisher folk are not allowed to fish in their coastal waters due to the fact that they are Tamils, hence racism is prevalent, if you are Sinhalese then without as much a hum, you can do whatever you like.
In other places, former LTTE bases that are taken over by the government of Sri Lanka are highly secured but what goes on in these camps are hush hush.
A notable journalist pro Mr. Jeyaraj has written that the President of Sri Lanka has given money and his warm wishes to the LTTE to prevent people from voting in the Jaffna District to ensure his win. So we don’t know whether the LTTE and the Army are working together or not? Can someone give me a comment please?
In other terms, we don’t know how EXACTLY Baron’s Cap was captured and how we celebrated the victory in Colombo where instead of rejoicing it would have been wise to put that celebratory money to some good cause at least to pay something extra for those families whose soldiers won for us.
In another twist of fate, we find the cost of living is rising like mad in terms of fuel hiking, essential goods hiking and then one day we can all take a hike all together!
I am going nuts with the ‘on-going suffering as the youth die young so I can ask myself really what is really going on in this world that we live in people keep on giving in’ Black Eyed Peace?
More info please email shazrina@gmail.com

Oh Yaar!

2007-07-24T05:12:00.000-07:00

The Indian Sex Invasion has struck the vagina of the Sri Lankan woman!
Maybe I’m talking about Ajay Singh then maybe I’m not.
Even though most of the dolly chicks attending the ‘Chillies’ will bite into spice after feasting their false eyelashed eyes on his hunky frame, his wife Anika would probably make sure not an strand of his pubic hair is touched. Makes me wonder…..
Definitely a disease that is catching fast like the bush fires of Down Under Australia, the fact remains that more than 60 percent of the Sweet Serendib Isle economy is in Mother India’s hands so it is not a distant reality that our canopy bed brings us hot Subcontinental Sex these days!
Hell, ok so I admit-I did say a very small, tiny and quiet ‘Yes’ to a dashing and smashing hot pretty Indian thing who politely asked me whether he could possibly get my number. I tell you, I tried my very best to fend off this unwanted exotic attention of course all to no avail. Dosh, posh and gosh!
Dicksize and certainly wise, I had to stand in the witness box and swear to confess the truth that a tender suck-u-lent Tandoori chicken was 1.5 billion rupees better than the commission that was generated on the Sri Lanka Telecom deal to Malaysia telecom.
Obviously, thinking unclearly, those hot Indian boys are everywhere so falling prey to their witty charms whilst swirling to Bhangra music is typical, so who can complain?
Bathiya & Santhush never had any qualms whatsoever when they incorporated and embraced Indian blends into their mainstream music. And for added zest, they taught English-speaking Ashanthi some Hindi, added her flavour and the music result was great!
It is very evident that the international music and movie scene has Jay Sean, Raghav & Aishwaraya Rai melting into a cesspool of Hot Indian ‘Ghulam Jan’ (Indian sweet) to tantalize your tastebuds and earbuds forever.
I, for one find Indian heartthrobs speaking Sinhalese a major turn-on so you can whisper & let them know ‘Baby its kohomadah and not kohomadeeyy’. It’s actually nice that even though they can teach you a thing or two in bed you can teach them a thing or two about a lesson in mouthy linguistic skills. Of course, we know their language.
We embrace Indian culture so much that their celebrities are like Gods here. Their movie songs are like anthems and their models grace most of our Indian advertisements. In fact 99% of dude on the streets of Colombo prefers a gorgeous Indian babe rather than short, stumpy and retarded Sri Lankan women. And that goes the same for the gals here they go gaga over hot Indian males!
Tsk tsk!
The sex itself has to be great doesn’t it?
Of course it is, try out and see the difference.
More often than not, its lengthwise that’s really order of the day, widthwise it honestly depends but in my very not-so-much experienced life, it’s to do by being visually creative. Other aspects should turn one on. They got this particular essence. I guess each person has to determine for themselves what an amazing discovery you can make with these guys.
You have to teach, experiment and learn.
Anything else that is invented after that is better….
You can find them in clubs, nightclubs, international schools, hip colleges, oh at last resort if these don’t work, hang around the TAJ Samudra and TAJ Exotica or just hit every freaking Indian restaurant, you are bound to find plenty of handsome Indian men.
Remember copycats will pay. This work is the sole right of the owner, anyone trying to copy it will be prosecuted! shazrina@gmail.com

Migration Mayhem

2007-07-24T05:11:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Paradise island of Sri Lanka is decorated with swaying coconut palms and deep blue sun-kissed beaches graced with lush green scenery and breathtaking views. Mountain-tops look like melting ice cream sundaes and eucalyptus trees resemble marzipan icing on warm chocolate cake soil.
Looking down at Serendib from an aeroplane, a crazed lunatic would sure feel like bungee jumping into this gorgeous Heaven smack bang into those step-cut paddy field terraces surrounded by gushing rivers.
The people of Sri Lanka don’t realize how much they are blessed to traipse on fertile land on this gorgeous country with warm summers and wet monsoon winters. I mean not even India, which is partial semi-desert and the Middle East countries that import their soil from Europe can even imagine competing with Sri Lanka for the title of ‘naturally’ beautiful country.
It is also disappointing to note that most of the country-folk here chuck everything to run off like refugees in seek of greener pastures crossing the Seven Seas to land on some alien European land to start a new life?
In India, even though the rapid development recently has caused their currency to increase in value however, the high population provides a suffocating atmosphere where people can’t necessarily expand their horizons. Rural villages and under-developed towns have to progress quickly but because development is slow, these people have no solution but to migrate somehow – even illegally.
In Africa, families see their loved ones dying and suffering due to the lack of proper medical facilities and difficulty in living conditions have impelled most Africans to find migration as the only escape route to a better life and a prospective career.

However, what they don’t realize is that migration is only going to open a tin of more shit-head worms, where they fall victim to racism, crime and worst of all, their dignity. However, they say that even if it means sacrificing their life, they will somehow educate their children, build their houses and increase their English proficiency so that they can come and work like big-shots here.
Can you blame them?

BBC estimates that up to 120,000 cross the Mediterranean annually and at least 10,000 have died trying to reach Greece, Italy and Spain. From there its usually Germany or UK they want to ultimately land and hopefully, live there until they acquire their stipulated wealth or else stick around forever.
The currency value of the sterling pound and the euro has significantly increased in value so when comparing the currency to the poorest of nations it is a helluva lot!
In Sri Lanka most of the migrant workers are poor women, who usually sacrifice their meager savings to give a job agent (mostly bogus culprits) in hope of a job as a housemaid or a servant. In most cases, the women are so desperate to get a job quickly, they end up paying more and more often then not, they forge passports or lie about certain attributes, like age.
The highly controversial Nafeek Rizana case that’s getting media attention nowadays questions our emigration standards and whether they are suitable enough to provide protection for our foreign exchange earners.
To be honest, it is Sri Lankan government’s fault that they didn’t even have a decent bunch of qualified passport authorities to determine whether Rizana was really 17 years old at the time of obtaining her passport. It is pathetic how myopic and retarded these authorized personnel are in dealing with housemaids who clamour to go abroad everyday. Unfortunately these women have no voting rights and even though an unimplemented law that was passed on March 8th (women’s day) that stated that women who went from their homes in search of greener pastures were liable to have families that were run by their drunken husbands who abused their children and always problems of incest, abuse, crime and starvation was the cause of a household headed by an incompetent man.
However, many Women’s lib rights movements have opposed this and asked for alternatives to this scenario. Grameen banks can offer support and efficient and effective vocational training to equip these women to stay at home and work at ease without venturing out to other countries.
Ultimately when these women go abroad and drown in a pool of working abuse trouble, the hypocritical nonsensical Sri Lankan heads go and appeal to the International Organization for Migration and go on freaking complain that Sri Lankan housemaids aren’t being treated properly, most never get paid and all that crap regarding paying compensation. What irks the most is that these people don’t tackle the problem at the grassroot level and check whether they are actually equipped and trained to work abroad. Why can’t they even check whether the islandwide agents around are barely legal to run or what?
Most of the time, the agents keep the money for themselves, whisk them off in unknown territory and are never heard from again. Even though no matter how much we tell and show that most agents are phonies, these desperate people never give an ear do they?
It’s important to note that the whole aspect of the migrating drama revolves around the fact that oh it’s all a scam to get more and more money and compensation.
The Rizana drama tamasha is probably in lieu to obtain the compensation stated for 4 million rupees or something. Can you imagine the very ‘concerned’ Foreign Ministers Hussein Bhaila and Rohitha Bogollagama did their best to trapeze all the way to Saudi Arabia for a sun-soaked holiday in the comfort of air-conditioned hotel rooms, and appeal to the HRC – Human Reforms Commission to help the poor kid. Rizana can get a Saudi Law firm to appear for her for free even though the mentioned Shariah law stated that she didn’t need a lawyer. Apparently these cases go on base of the employer and most of the time, not even an autopsy is performed on the murdered victim and the illogical blame with fall on the employee.
Now they tell us there’s definitely gonna be a positive outcome for the whole mess. I mean what the shit, they didn’t even lift a finger when those 3 who were sentenced to death who ended up being executed despite appeals from their families to intervene.
Oh well its now like waving a white flag and surrendering with the death wish words of an asylum seeker, its sinking in the shit that you thought was heaven.
The shit you ought to sink in at home rather than going to another country and sacrificing your life to do good but ultimately end up with nothing.

Why am I here?
But I know what made me do this.
What will I do now that I’m here?
But I know what I have to make of me.
Lost in translation and lost in this alien place,
I can barely talk this language which I am dying to learn.

Why don’t you like me?
I came here to help you.
Why do you abuse me?
Can’t you understand that I came to make your life easy?
I have to fend for myself and make you see,
I don’t mean any harm,
Overstepping your territory,
Walking on your shores,
And stepping on your sand,
I came here to make no demand,
I brought myself here to see,
Your beautiful land which you have harnessed its bounty,
Reminds me of my third world home country,

In this barren land with you for a Supreme ruler,
My children are dying of hunger,
I can’t tell you how much we all suffer,
I have to provide for their welfare,
They have to be educated and looked after with care,
I have sacrificed my love everyday,
To give them hope and a better life,
By starting with you.

Remember copycats will pay.
This work is the sole right of the owner, anyone trying to copy it will be liable for prosecution.

We Reap What We Sow

2007-07-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

A horrendous way of growing up would be within the darned midst of war and we begin to realize that we, the youth of the country aren’t the ones to be blamed for such a sin but are severely punished. Just like in divorce, where parents bicker and thrash themselves to death where the result is likely divorce, the children shouldn’t be blamed for such a tragedy.
We should realize that the heaven and hell blessed upon us is because what nonsensical leaders our grandparents voted for, whom they believed would nonetheless help achieve great happiness and peace in developing our country. In fact, the very opposite was done. Obviously, it is like a clichéd term we use nowadays, ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ and however much we give our leaders great power, are they any darn bit ‘responsible’?
We give them great power to feel great greed and squeeze every freaking ounce of cent we have to give. Oh! It is we who pays the taxes that is sucked into our Baron’s Cap and waste the public fund celebrating victories to keep our minds away from the rising cost of living.
Who cares about any English-lagging education system or road development scene, any-bullshit-way? We just wanna give more and more and more to our terrorist-friendly government who wanna feed their greedy hunger for money. Not to mention, print money in this area of Borelasgama which is causing the inflation to increase and economy to go down.
It’s sad to know that in Sri Lanka, the LTTE was born because when one of the great leaders of the country, former Prez Junius Jayawardena who went onto protest against the Tamils in ‘March on Kandy’ because he was so against the Tamils. I don’t mean to condemn a notable leader who was responsible for the generous aid we get from Japan after he publicly forgave them. I mean why can’t we live and let live? I don’t mean to say I support any instances of killing or terrorism of any form. What I want to emphasize is that we are a hospitable country, and legendary greats like Arthur C.Clarke had no trouble fitting here, what they are gonna chase him away saying we don’t support any foreigners who wanna colonise our beautiful country?
We shouldn’t ignore the people who worked our estates in generations ago but recognise them for the hard work, trouble, toil and sweat they endured to make our land a bountiful and agriculturally ferile soil it is today. Gosh! What crap nonsense really!

Around the world, its evident this fucked-up trend is catching like the Paris Hilton fever.
In Zimbabwe, a country I discovered after my divorced chain-smoking aunt, Aunty Hash (christened on the stuff she snorted) came to visit us and gave new meaning to the word AIDS
Anyway the Zimbabwean leader Mugabe is a kind of dude who really wants everything for himself. He expects that 51% of the draining Zimbo economy has to go to his pocket which is indeed pathetico. Of course South Africa dumps the whole controversy in a pressure cooker and turns on the heat for the people to oust him. Especially when people close to the Mugga man are raking in the goods like there is no tomorrow. Many people who have had their share and can not absorb anything else, so they fill their Swiss bank accounts and take their Lear jet to Hawaii.
Obviously there is no solution, we see our loved ones getting sick, the rising inflation, the cost of living is now like the cost of dying (as highlighted by one senior economist) and we are all maddened by not having peace of mind when we venture outta our homes.
Our best bet, we can smuggle ourselves to Europe or some other darn country and sell ourselves to the foreigners to make ends meet here in Paradise Isle.
Its surprising that most of the illegal immigrants come from the war-torn refugee continent of Africa where people face starvation and poverty actually travel illegally all round Europe in search of greener pastures.
So many things to tell, nobody does anything about it.
I lost my cousin to the fact that everybody thought Germany offered greener pastures since the currency there was higher than our home currency and more money obviously lured him.
Its so sad, he went there was given on the dole, some 50 euros or something but then he got caught and in jail he was given some sorta shot which gave him 6 months to live.
Its sad really. What they do.
You go to better your life and then end up with nothing.
Millions of people everyday jump illegally to Europe to better their lives thinking that life will be sweeter on the other side, its sad how it isn't.
More soon.
Take care.
shazrina@gmail.com

Hip Tourism

2007-07-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

Unlike his predecessor who had this nerve to bring contracts to only his companies, the present Chairman of the Tourist Board certainly does more than warm the seat of his plush parquet paneled office. He possesses an air of dignity and charming presence that he carries with him that to this day nobody, not even his subordinates can underestimate. My stereotypical thinking revolved around the fact that since Mr. Renton is known for his friendliness and easy-going nature, people think he is easy to manipulate so him being for granted is natural. However, he put this record straight by firming putting his foot down displaying an air of dignity when he was invited, at the last minute presented to him in the form of staff barging in (without knocking) when this writer was interviewing to give an impromptu speech rather like to ‘show his face’ for a in-house workshop.
I mean what is the meaning of this? Didn’t anyone teach them manners after all, Sri Lankans are primarily known the world over for their hospitality so where was the respect?
I was definitely impressed when he stated that he didn’t want to be there unless there was some purpose.
Look kids, that’s what respect and genuine dignity is all about, let this be a lesson.
Presently, there’s this buzz about the UNWTO – UNITED NATIONS WORLD TOURISM ORGANISATION launching here in the host country, Sri Lanka in September.
So fine, we got problems in this country like freaking terrorists who proudly call themselves the Liberation of Tamil Tigers Elam and with the meteor showers and bomb that spark panic and frenzy around the countrywide.

The theme will focus on bringing women professionals to Sri Lanka and in turn, bring new business opportunities. Plenty of carnivals and cultural shows will of course provide a fun-filled ambiance where we are gonna party till the crack of dawn! Yeah it’s all for the ladies and not for the men coz they don’t get it LOL!
‘Men Don’t Get It’.
Bah! Who is afraid of terrorist attacks? Certainly not the women!
Who is scared of the big bad wolfie PK? Certainly not the women!
The bad dudes can get all funny with her but she got the med for the terrorists!
Tourism rules!
Primarily I wannaa tell all the rich Muslim women to grace this summit as well as researchers in environmental studies, ethnic studies and social stuff.
Women please remember to bring your fun-loving girls as well as your partners in order to have some fun!

Then I went on to ask Mr. Renton what the hot fuss about global warming and all the Live Earth concerts what exactly is going on the eco-tourism scene and what exactly are we doing to save our country?
Apparently unlike the European countries and the United States of America, our segment of Asia doesn’t seem to emit that many carbon dioxide emissions, however, we are all at a risk because since the ice caps at the North and South Poles melt and the water levels rise up, then the notorious LTTE leader won’t have any land to claim.
Notoriously, obviously, curiously, this season it’s all about the women who want to make it big and what better way to set foot in Sri Lanka.
The fact that for the first time in the history of India a woman was elected President so it’s prevalent that women are important.
Please email me on shazrina@gmail.com for information.Thanks!