8 Living In Smog - Kuala Lumpur

Spring, summer, autumn, winter. Where I live, it's summer all year and smog in between.

The haze is nothing new. It's something that doesn't get resolved either. Mostly an annual finger-pointing affair and brisk sales for respirator mask vendors. Read: Haze from Indonesia continues to shroud Malaysia

Before the haze, I was looking at the most beautiful sky and spent my evenings appreciating glorious sunsets.

Taken early June

Then, it happened. Smoky air started to blanket our homes. I kept my doors and windows shut. I had the air con on. It seemed to help.

Weeks later

I stayed indoors. It's the only place I feel I can breathe freely. The only time I went out was to stock up on groceries. It filled my nostrils - that acrid burning smell. That's the 'in' word now, a-c-r-i-d. After an hour 'out there', my throat started to sting from dryness. Water is my best friend. I've been drinking lots of it.

Yesterday morning, the air quality dipped for the worse. My skin felt dry. Am I imagining the effects? ...

It was so smoky, I couldn't see the highlands anymore. Our great blue sky has been replaced by a shroud of grey.

Air Pollutant Index of near 200 (Unhealthy Level)

It's past midnight. Nothing's changed. I hope it rains tomorrow...

2 Sixth Sense - A Sense of Pride

Genie Wong (Singer) - A member of Sixth Sense

They made the cut....to play in the Penang Island Jazz Festival's fringe events which is happening this December!

There's always this little burst of pride whenever I hear news of people doing great things back in my hometown.

We have no real celebrities to speak of. Dreams are often put away for a steady clerical job. The unambitious old folks feel that money in the pocket for a house and a car is what living is all about . Anything else seeming to add colour to mundane life is of little importance. Calling it a "sleepy town" is apt.

Occasionally, someone breaks out of the mould. I'm talking about Sixth Sense, of course. Founded by a group of talented Labuanites who have a long-standing love for music.

I admire their determination. Despite a challenging environment, they never lost their passion in taking an active role in the local music scene.

Here they are on another milestone in their music career ~ An opportunity to showcase their talent in the Penang Island Jazz Festival, a prestigious event hosting some of the world's best musicians.

This means traveling across the South China Sea. They need some help to get them over. 
I'm just spreading the word.

Here's the link to their funding appeal. You can read all about the band and hear their music in the same link. 

Project - Fund our Band to Perform in the Fringe Event at the Penang Jazz Festival 2013 | MYSTARTR

The Penang Island Jazz Festival (PIJF) is happening this December 5th to 8th. Mark your calendars because it is one of the most amazing events of the year. I was there last year and enjoyed it tremendously -  PIJF 2012 fringe event.

Blog update: 20/06/2013 - Photos of all the other band members of Sixth Sense.

Peter Lau - Drummer

Simon Lau - Bassist

MarcVai - Guitarist

Ed - Keyboardist

Gabry - Singer

6 The Coke Monster Lurks Inside

Simple pleasures. A reflection. There's something scary in there ..... besides the sugar content, I mean!

I see it. Two beady eyes staring back at me. Do you see it?

The coke monster is peeking at you ... whoooOoooOOoo

Amusing. Slurrppp...ahhh

0 A Shadow Of Me

The sun was blazing hot. I have no idea why I was even standing out there snapping photos of my shadow. I remember squinting my eyes and going : By golly, I'm going to get sunburnt! A toasted Sharon with honey brown skin....

--
Drink and be merry! SlurPppPp..there goes my chrysanthemum tea.

A box drink in hand

He went THAT way! Really, he did!

Pointing left

I'm not moving from this spot!

Steadfast

Peace! My favourite sign!

Peace..I'm holding a shopping bag