Got this via email:

WET
PANTS

Come with me to a third grade classroom…. There is a
nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of
a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and
the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his
heart is going to stop because he cannot
possibly imagine how this has happened. It’s
never happened before, and he knows that when
the boys find out he will never hear the end of
it. When the girls find out, they’ll never speak
to him again as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his
head down and prays this prayer, ‘Dear God, this
is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes
from now I’m dead meat.’

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with
a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a class mate
named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is
filled with water. Susie trips in front of the
teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water
in the boy’s lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is
saying to himself, ‘Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!’

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule,
the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher
rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts
to put on while his pants dry out. All the other
children are on their hands and knees cleaning
up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful.
But as life would have it, the ridicule that
should have been his has been transferred to
someone else – Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You’ve done
enough, you klutz!’

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the
bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers,
‘You did that on purpose, didn’t you?’ Susie
whispers back, ‘I wet my pants once too.’

May God help us see the opportunities that are always around
us to do good.

Remember…..Just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Each and everyone one of us is going through tough times
right now, but God is getting ready to bless you
in a way that only He can. Keep the faith.

My instructions were to pick four (4) people that I
wanted God to bless, and I picked you. Please
pass this to at least four (4) people you want
to be blessed and a copy back to me.

This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts
we receive. There is no cost but a lot of
rewards. Let’s continue to pray for one another.

The Prayer:

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those
that I care deeply for, who are reading this
right now. Show them a new revelation of Your
love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to
minister to their spirit at this very moment.
Where there is pain, give them Your peace and
mercy.. Where there is self-doubt, release a
renewed confidence through Your grace. Where
there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs.
Bless their homes, families, finances, their
goings and their comings.
Amen.

(If the Lord lays upon your heart to send this to more than
four ‘4′ people, you are truly blessed )

“UK SOUL JAM”

@ JAZZ CAFE

** Featuring CK GOSPEL CHOIR & Many More All Live Established & New
UKSoul & Gospel Talent **

on SUNDAY 6th DECEMBER 2009

7pm – 1am

‘UK SOUL JAM’ :
a celebration of UK SOUL featuring the best established & new UKSoul
talent every month at The Jazz Cafe, London

Venue Address:
JAZZ CAFE
5 Parkway,
Camden Town,
London
NW1

Nearest Tube:
Camden Town

Running times:
7pm – 1am

** PRICES: **

TICKET PRICES:
£8 Advance, £10 Door, £13 Upstairs Restaurant Table Seats.

** CHRISTMAS SPECIAL OFFER: UPSTAIRS SEAT + CHRISTMAS MEAL all inc. £24 **

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET ONLINE FROM TICKETMASTER AT:
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk
(search “UK SOUL JAM” “UKSOULJAM” “Jazz Cafe” “December 6th”)

ORDER ON PHONE from TICKETMASTER on: Tel: 0870 4000 700

Alternative Online Ticket Agents:
http://www.seetickets.com

BOX OFFICE, IN PERSON & CASH PAYMENTS:
To order in person or for Cash payment at JAZZCAFE( frontdoor) box
office 5 Parkway Camden, NW1 (Mon – Sat 10am-5pm).

Table Seats On Balcony: £13 – Call Jazzcafe Restaurant Line For Tables
On: 020 7688 8899 (Lines Open 10.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat)

Web info:
http://www.myspace.com/keepthefaithclubnight

Music Style:
SOUL, NEO SOUL, UK SOUL, GOSPEL, URBAN, RAREGROOVE, NU JAZZ, R&B,
BROKENBEAT, HIP HOP, REGGAE, DANCEHALL, OPEN MIC JAM & LIVE MUSIC

Line Up:

Resident DJs:
PAUL AAARON (Keep The Faith / Groove Lineage)
DJ KAY (Keep The Faith / UKSoulJam)

Resident Band:
HARLANO & THE CKB

Hosted By:
HARLANO, ADEOLA & PAUL AAARON

Live Performances From:
CK GOSPEL CHOIR
JAZ ELLINGTON
ELISHA LAVERNE
ORGANIC FAMILY
SHARON ROSE
SUPA SOUL BRUTHA DEL
LOUISE GOLBEY

+ Open Mic & Jam Session (Open To The Public Later In The Show)
+ More TBA & Surprise Guests On The Night.

This Month:
Dec 6th is a UKSoulJam Christmas & UKGospel special ft. the lavish 16
piece CK Gospel Choir who brought the house down on last years
Christmas special. Also live is UKSoul/Gospel favourite Jaz Ellington,
UKSoul & R&B sensation Elisha Laverne who’s worked with everyone from
Maxi Priest to King St Sounds, The Organic Family who bring their
collective of artists, Sharon Rose on of the UK’s most explosive next
generation Nu Soul/Gospel/R&B singers, Supa Soul Brutha Del bring his
blend of Psychedelic Soul & PFunk, & Louise Golbey with her Acoustic
Soul. Previous surprise guests in our Jam session have inc. Amy
Winehouse, Jeffrey Daniel of Shalamar & Marcia Ambrosius of Floetry -
so make sure you’re on the house to see who will surprise us this
month…

Another varied, diverse & talented array of all live UK talent awaits
you on this month’s UKSoulJam.

Event Summary:
UK SOUL JAM: A celebration of UK SOUL in an Open Mic – Jam Session,
Showcase & DJ Session featuring the best of London’s Soul talent every
month at Jazz Cafe. As seen on Sky TV.

UK Soul Jam captures the energy and musical talent from London’s
Contemporary Soul Scene. Bringing together singers, players, &
connoisseurs of Neo Soul, Nu Jazz, Credible Hip Hop and RnB,
Brokenbeat, Reggae, Gospel and Soulful House scenes in London. A
platform for new & established artists. Open Mic / Jam is open to the
public.

UK SOUL JAM – The ORIGINAL UKSOUL Show

Further web info:
http://www.myspace.com/keepthefaithclubnight

For all show enquiries & if you would like to perform please email:
keepthefaithful@gmail.com

Well, my previous post is about how songs can actually get you in the mood not to give in your dreams and it gives Poison’s Cry Tough as an example. The song is fast, hopeful and it  just tells you not to give up. The fact that the band came from nowhere and went to the top of the charts through persistence and hard work  makes the lyrics credible.

You may not know Poison. But I’m pretty sure you have heard of  Bon Jovi. Don’t dismiss them because rock isn’t your thing or because their sound is just too “soft” for you. They have songs in a lot of genres (hard rock, classic rock, pop-rock, country rock, glam rock…), and they have written songs about almost all aspects of life. Don’t think about the ballads. Please, we are not going to talk about “Always” here. But, if you are thinking of  the chorus from their hit song “It’s my life”, great! You are exactly where I need you to be. The whole song is about not giving up and standing your ground. In fact, this song is only one example from the band. They are huge on songs that encourage you to work on your dreams.

Here is a part of  ”It’s my life“:

It’s my life  – And it’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever , I just want to live while I’m alive
(It’s my life)
My heart is like an open highway – Like Frankie said
I did it my way, I just want to live while I’m alive ,’Cause it’s my life

Better stand tall when they’re calling you out
Don’t bend, don’t break, baby, don’t back down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOfaYFIHt1g&feature=fvst  this is for the song’s video.

They might have sold over 100,000,000 records (yes, it is the official number) but it’s not like success fell on their laps. Frontman Jon Bon Jovi worked at odd jobs, he even sold shoes. (I am saying “even” – if you remember the old sitcom Married with Children, the shoe selling thing might put a smile on your face.) He cleaned the floors on a record studio and didn’t get paid for it. Instead he just recorded his demos. One of the demos got him a record deal and a band. But what made Bon Jovi huge is actually another song that tells you to keep hanging on no matter what: Living on a Prayer. This is the video of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUSDS9pkA2Y&feature=fvst

Oh and the chorus goes something like this:

Whooah, were half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and well make it – I swear
Livin on a prayer

Not to mention, they have written Keep The Faith (it tells you to “keep the faith: you know youre gonna live thru the rain” ) and Have a Nice Day , whose chorus goes:

Ohhh, if there’s one thing I hang onto,
That gets me through the night.
I ain’t gonna do what I don’t want to,
I’m gonna live my life.
Shining like a diamond, rolling with the dice,
Standing on the ledge, I show the wind how to fly.
When the world gets in my face,
I say, Have A Nice Day.
Have A Nice Day

link to Keep the Faith: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U5gJZh5u2Y&feature=fvst

link to Have a Nice Day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UheKmPY1mNw&feature=fvst

ENJOY!

You’ve got the idea of the ‘rule of thirds’ and you’ve started to use it in making your pictures. What’s the other one thing that you can do everytime you pick up the camera from now?  Here’s a tip that worked for me, and I hope it can help you too.

The next time you look through the viewfinder or the LCD screen, pay attention to the edges of the frame. You need to make sure that there is nothing jutting out along any of the 4 edges. Here’s an example. Look at the 2 pictures I’ve posted here. Run your eyes along the 4 edges of the top photo. On the left side of that photo you will see something jutting out. That, in fact, is part of a garbage bag. If I didn’t run my eyes along the 4 edges, I would’ve left that distracting element there. People looking at the photo then might just latch their eyes on that  piece of garbage bag and move their gaze to the outside of the frame instead of looking inside the picture on the decaying structure.

Now, take a look at the bottom picture. Because the building is my main focus, I cropped out that piece of garbage bag & I used the fallen twigs & dried leaves on the ground to loosely frame the door of the decaying building, directing eyes to it and to the whole house/building.

To really see what you’re looking at is a great way to really connect with the subject you’re photographing. Sure, you can crop it off  in post-processing but it’s such a pity to realise much later that’s there’s something distracting there, rather than detecting it sooner, which would allow you more chances to get a better composition in-camera.

Tell me if this tip is helpful for you. In the meantime, enjoy photography!

Hey Micks – do you remember this picture? You and your famous tongue-out, ’hmph. what took you so long to come home’ face, especially reserved for me, on that cold morning when I arrived from KL.

We don’t know when you were born, where you came from or who your parents were. What we know is when you arrived at our home mid 2008, you had been a skinny creature that would’ve been named the pink panther, save for your colouring. With cat food, Mawaddah’s administering and us fussing over you, you became our Mickey.

Mawaddah told me that a neighbour found you lying in the drain that February.  Mum still has her reservations about that story; she’s a firm believer of the first-to-the-scene-is-the-perpetrator theory. Quite interesting for someone who never watches CSI.

Mawaddah was very brave, you know. The fact that she didn’t call me right away with the news plus her extra casual tone when she finally did made me think that she loves you (yes, she still does) much, much more than she let on. I know she had many chats with you. Keep her stories, mate – she told you more stuff than she ever told us. Oh – and I knew that you were nodding off to sleep all those times you put on that wise old cat look.

I also think you knew all along that we were going to be the ones who became your pet. You knew you had us at the first meow, didn’t you? 

It’s October now & the house is not the same without you. The Kamaruddin family misses you. Hell – I miss you.  Rest in peace, Micks. May flights of snowy-white kitties purr thee to thy rest.

p.s. we’ve got a couple of young ones with your coloring. Not sure if they’re yours. I am pretty sure you fathered them though because they started doing the tongue & rolled eyeball thingie at me the last time I was home for the hols. Mawaddah’s taking care of them.  Are there any more little Micks that we should know about?

Picture: Mickey, warming himself on a car hood Originally uploaded by faz k

Q1) What language do you want to translate into?
 A1) Bahasa Malaysia / Malay. 
 

 Q2) Is this your native language? If not, how and where did you learn it?
 A2) Malay is my native language & I also learned it in school.

In uni I took Translation as elective papers & I was the professor’s pet after I translated the Mark Antony ‘friends, romans, countrymen - lend me your ears’ speech from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar & reminded the class that correct interpretation of the tone, context and intention of the message is as important, if not more, than working on the words. I can’t prove that claim of being her favorite though, because I have had no contact with my professor since graduating. She might still be upset with me for not translating the whole bloody play. 

Q3) How often do you speak this language? Do you use it professionally, personally, or both?
 A3) I speak Malay daily. Almost.

More personally than professionally, however – about 35:65 of Malay:English – because most of my work & life is in English. My friends call me a Rowan Atkinson-loving geek because I roll about in giggles watching Black Adder, Keeping Mum AND Mr. Bean & I have problems appreciating Shia laBeouf’s smoldering looks. They also say I’m more BBC than BBC. Surely they jest.   

Q4) How often do you read in this language? Do you read news? Novels? Personal correspondence?
 A4) I read it often enough, I hope.

Mostly non-fiction. Some Malay news (http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/ and http://www.bharian.com.my/), some novels & poetry (a good friend writes Malay poems that don’t give me nightmares) and out of personal curiosity & professional interest, journals / instructional material. At the growth rate of the Malay-language gossip rags and the high hit-count on websites of former TV hosts of some Malay-hit songs-chart-programs who spout nonsense in CAPS LOCK & use exclamation marks instead of the SPACE bar, I’d be happy to translate instructions on condom packets to distract people’s attention. Those already come (forgive the pun) with translations, you say? Bugger.
  

Q5) How often do you write in this language? 
 A5) I write in Malay at least once a week since Jan 2009, mostly in personal correspondence & journal entries.

Work-wise, I’ve been translating user guides / training manuals from English to Malay since early 2008. For shits & giggles, I work on subtitles for episodes of my favorite DVD box-sets. I have an extremely high capacity & capability of enjoying my own company. My tolerance for ongoing dialogues in my own head is limitless.

Q6) If English is not your first language, how and where did you learn it? How often do you speak, write and/or read English?
A6) My parents told me I started reading the New Straits Times since I was 3 years old.  I don’t believe it.

I do have childhood memories of enjoying Yes, Minister, Fawlty Towers & Mind Your Language with my father. I  remember writing & conversing in English since before kindergarten days, and studied it in school and university. Thanks to Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’, I now worship ‘Elements of Style’ by Strunk and White and do my best to follow their guidelines.

In school, I passed the Univ of Cambridge’s 1119 English paper. In uni, I passed with merit the Reading / Writing /Listening / Speaking tests of the same uni’s Business English Certificates exam. Not many opportunities to say ‘no’ back then in 1989 & 1995 cos they were compulsory.  I remember having a nice chat with the examiner too. He educated me on the wonders of Cornwall & didn’t quite get why I had turned down an offer to study  in England only because my mother could not stomach being away from her only daughter.  Frankly, the logic escaped me also. It’s just that at the time, 20 years ago, it had seemed like the right thing to do.

Q7) Do you have other colleagues, family or friends who can assist you on the translation of tricky or culturally-specific words and phrases?
A7) Yes.

I normally refer to colleagues at work, friends who are language teachers, my writing class mentor and my father. I wrote my father’s Malay & English speeches when he was head of the association of assistant pharmacists.  I  learned about a job’s non-monetary rewards through observing my father’s passion in his work. He may still keep the newspaper articles quoting his speech on the domino-effect of pharmacists who stop learning and don’t care about developing themselves.  Convincing people on the importance of lifelong learning was quite something then. 15-20 years ago, not many people said things like ‘glocal’, ‘Melayu Baru’ & whatnot. Say tweet and people might think you’re referring to a bird. Or a twit.
 

Q8) What is your profession?
 A8) I’m a content development consultant & a project manager.

• I write & design tools (e.g. stakeholder syndication worksheets, tempates, toolkits for train-the-trainer, training materials).
• I scope & manage training & leadership development projects. 
• I analyze data & write reports on program effectiveness.
• When necessary (when all the other consultants are down with bird flu for e.g.) I conduct training sessions in either English or Malay, depending on client preferences. My areas are Train-the-Trainer and Brand Internalization – from brand strategy to brand behavior. My favorite workshop opening lines are “Today, I’m going to give you my complete focus & best effort to help you get the best & most out of your time today. I need your help though, cos I cannot make you want to learn this stuff. You’ve got to want to learn, in the first place. Be open to see a different point of view that may be beneficial to you. If you are not prepared to at least meet me halfway on this, just go ahead and leave now. I’ll clear it with your bosses, don’t you worry.”  As you can probably guess, my fellow consultants make it a point to be in the pink of health at all times .

Q9) Why do you want to translate for TED?
A9) I want to connect Malaysians to great content on Tech, Entertainment & Design.

I want to continue to spark thinking & encourage learning, starting with myself. In my HR practitioner years, I interviewed at least 300 university graduates for job openings & internship programs. About 80% of the people I met could not understand the basics of business / workplace English, let alone use it. Their command of the national language was equally appalling.

Also, I only realised very recently that I’m guilty of too much complaining and ranting about that & the misleading subtitles of TV programs so I’ve started taking actions. Translating for TED is another channel for me to do something more beneficial than watch in horror as the subtitle to “Alexander [the Great]’s erratic behavior” reads “Sikap erotik Iskandar”. Erotic? Er – maybe not in this context – that segment was referring to how Alexander had allegedly seemed to be more eccentric as he neared his death. In the same NatGeo documentary:

• “Alexander’s army was outnumbered by the Persians”.  Subtitle:  Tentera Iskandar lebih ramai dari tentera musuh. Which means Alexander’s army outnumbered the Persians.
• “Alexander’s army was outnumbered more than 3 to 1″. Subtitle:  Tentera Iskandar 3 kali lebih ramai.  Which means Alexander’s army outnumbered the Persians 3:1.

 Ack! Wrong facts are beamed into our children’s classrooms as you are reading this.

So here’s hoping against hope that TED will let me translate Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success.

I’m seriously crossing all fingers and toes it’s a mystery how this post was typed. Really.

Another “Always Keep The Faith” video from Cassie, and this time from TVXQINDO

Part 1

Part 2

siitutuh

credit: tvxqindo.com

“Keep the faith”

When  all of the trials of this old world seem to come upon you like a mighty rushing wind, don’t give up, don’t lose hope, get up, brush the dust off of yourself and try again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. What doesn’t kill you gives you the means to become stronger and better at the next test that you should be faced with.

Barbara

When the photos of THSK’s Micky Yoochun and Hero Jaejoong having the same tattoo on the same spot were publicized, they immediately became a hot topic.

Recently, Micky Yoochun and Hero Jaejoong went to a tattoo shop near Seoul to get the same tattoo where their heart is. The contents of the tattoo is ‘Always keep the faith”.

Before that, they also had tattoos on their calves and back and became known as the “Hot tattoos friends”. Tattooing the same phrase at the same spot, and at the same time having a law case with their agency, showed that whatever is happening now has a very deep meaning, near the heart.

According to sources, they, together with another TVXQ member, Xiah Junsu, have a necklace with the exact same phrase but because Xiah Junsu was not interested in having a tattoo, he did not join the others.

source: [neverend-scm]
translations: thesexy-orange@tohosomnia.net
shared by: tohosomnia.net
Please do not remove/add on any credits.

Spesso mi chiedo quale sia la mia canzone preferita.

In effetti una preferita non ce l’ho, ma certamente ne ho una che mi porto nel cuore da sempre, e che per sempre mi porterò.

Bon Jovi

This Ain’t a Love Song

Live From London 1995

Oltretutto questa performance dei Bon Jovi Live from Wembley Stadium di Giugno 1995, secondo me l’anno più florido per quanto riguarda la vena creativa della Band, merita in particolar modo. Lo stile di “This ain’t a Love Song”, così malinconico, la classica ballata rock spacca-cuori, lo si può percorrere per tutto il disco. Ogni pezzo è malinconico, anche quelli un più accesi. Un momento particolare nel percorso della Band che purtroppo, negli anni, è andata in calando. Ma nel mio cuore rimarrà sempre al Top.

Ricordo ancora quando ho comperato la VHS del concerto..! Per farvi comprendere quante volte l’ho vista, vi posso dire solo una cosa: ora è inguardabile nel vero senso della parola, poiché il nastro è LOGORATO..!

Così, qualche tempo fa hanno ben pensato di regalarmi il DVD fortunatamente ^^

Aggiungo inoltre un altro fantastico brano: KEEP THE FAITH.

Una frase che accompagna la mia Vita da sempre.

Bon Jovi

KEEP THE FAITH

Live From London 1995

Beh, ascoltatele… ascoltatele… ascoltate i Bon Jovi..!

-Deny-

Today’s been a bleak day and the mind was sitting on a patch of thoughts only to fly off and try to roost elsewhere…and then again elsewhere… It was beginning to feel like one of those “Ah Misery Me” days when I suddenly found this:

http://thefix-online.com/reviews/sybil%E2%80%99s-garage-6-may-2009/

Or to quote from the blog: “Finally, there’s “Mother’s Garden.” In confident prose, Rumjhum Biswas tells the story of a woman looking back on the fertile, perhaps supernaturally fertile, garden that fed her family.  Rich descriptions and convincing characterization make this piece one of the overall strongest stories.” 

Thank you Dan Alamia, I really needed something like this today!

I shot this self-portrait 9 days after I got my EOS 500D, James.

Looking at this photo, I found it funny how the only time I can look directly into the camera lens is when a part of my face is covered. This relates to my own apprehension that impacts my choice of photograpy subjects. I tell myself that I prefer inanimate objects instead of humans. One day, my unconscious mind asked back, “what IS it about humans that make you avoid them as subjects?”

My answer? I avoided photographing humans because I abhorred being photographed myself. That linked with a deep-seated feeling that I never belonged anywhere, with anyone. As a child I looked different from my cousins. When my mother implied that I lack grace, very much like a bull in a china shop, I believed it. I had been a chit-chatty little girl, until I was admonished with “little children should be seen & not heard”. I hid in closets & cupboards and scribbled in my note book, conducting conversations in my head where everyone around me would pay rapt attention to what I said. In my teens, my mother reminded me many times that the appropriate time for me to join a conversation would be when I have my own family.

I’ve realised how this has impacted me as an adult. I was slow to suggest or give opinions for fear of being rejected, not included, and ridiculed. I agreed with the majority even though personally I know there was a better solution. I also shied away from portraiture photography because I convinced myself that I’d just be intruding the potential subjects. I had masked my fear of connecting with a warped rationale preferring buildings to people.

I have been moving forward since 2 years ago, post NLP certification, when I achieved breakthrough. And now, I’m ready to be more aware of the beauty of moving forward and explore. More specifically, to explore the interesting world of portraiture photography. My beloved buildings can wait

Picture taken 9 June ‘09, EOS 500D 18-55mm kit lens, f/5.6, 1/4sec, ISO1600, focal length 49mm.

Just found out that a friend I know but not on close terms with are down with a major illness. I just felt so sad..life is so unpredictable. However, she chose to deal with this illness with an optimistic outlook..how brave is she? I’m deeply ashamed of myself now.

I’m so relieved and glad we’ve managed to clear things up. Yeah I know you need some time and I totally understand that. I know I kept repeating my words today but I guess I just wanted to really bring my message across.

Mother mother tell your children
That their time has just begun
I have suffered for my anger
There are wars that can’t be won

Father father please believe me
I am laying down my guns
I am broken like an arrow
Forgive me
Forgive your wayward son

Everybody needs somebody to love
(mother, mother)
Everybody needs somebody to leave
(please believe me)
Everybody’s bitching
’cause they can’t get enough
And it’s hard to hold on
When there’s no one to lean on

Faith: you know you’re gonna live thru the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
Faith: don’t let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Lord we got to keep the faith

Tell me baby when I hurt you
Do you keep it all inside
Do you tell me al’s forgiven
And just hide behind your pride

Everybody needs somebody to love
(mother, father)
Everybody needs somebody to leave
(please don’t leave me)
Everybody’s bleeding
’cause the times are tough
Well it’s hard to be strong
When there’s no one to dream on

Faith: you know you’re gonna live thru the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
No, you know it’s never too late
Right now we got to keep the faith
Faith: don’t let your love turn to hate
Oh-oh you got to
Keep the faith
( Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Lord we got to keep the faith ) x 2

(Solo)

I’ve been walking in the footsteps
Of society’s lies
I don’t like what I see no more
Sometimes I wish that I was blind
Sometimes I wait forever

To stand out in the rain
So no one sees me cryin’
Trying to wash away the pain
Mother father

There’s things I’ve done I can’t erase
Every night we fall from grace

It’s hard with the world in yours face
Trying to hold on, trying to hold on

Faith: you know you’re gonna live thru the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
Faith: don’t let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to keep the faith
Faith: now it’s not too late
Try to hold on, trying to hold on
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Everbody keeps the faith

Do these come from a real peacock?, originally uploaded by faz k.

It took me a while to digest the ‘get too close to the trees and you can’t see the forest’ saying. While acknowledging the idea in that saying, I am aware that I do need to get close to something to see it clearer. Like in photography, for instance – Robert Capa said, ‘if your photos are not good enough, you’re not close enough’ – or something close to that.

I think we just need to recognize the point where getting up close equals getting too close. Because, even in making pictures, we need to fill the frame. However, if we keep on zooming in, there’s a point where we can’t see anything but a blur. That’s when we zoom out a little, and then we’d see the picture that we need to make. Or the action we need to take in order to get the best result.

Photography. Very much like creating solutions for issues in other aspects of life too, no?

Picture taken with my Canon PowerShot SX100 IS, 1/8 sec, f/3.5, focal length 14.4mm, ISO 80.

“UK SOUL JAM”

@ JAZZ CAFE

** Featuring INDIGO BROWN & Many More All Live Established & New
UKSoul Talent **

on SUNDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2009

7pm – 1am

‘UK SOUL JAM’ :
a celebration of UK SOUL in an Open Mic, Showcase & DJ Session
featuring the best of London’s Soul talent every month at The Jazz Cafe, London

Venue Address:
JAZZ CAFE
5 Parkway,
Camden Town,
London
NW1

Nearest Tube:
Camden Town

Running times:
7pm – 1am

** PRICES: **

TICKET PRICES:
£8 Advance, £10 Door, £13 Upstairs Restaurant Table Seats.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET ONLINE FROM TICKETMASTER AT:

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk

(search “UK SOUL JAM” “UKSOULJAM” “Jazz Cafe” “September 6th”)

ORDER ON PHONE from TICKETMASTER on: Tel: 0870 4000 700

Alternative Online Ticket Agents:

http://www.seetickets.com

BOX OFFICE, IN PERSON & CASH PAYMENTS:
To order in person or for Cash payment at JAZZCAFE( frontdoor) box
office 5 Parkway Camden, NW1 (Mon – Sat 10am-5pm).

Table Seats On Balcony: £13 – Call Jazzcafe Restaurant Line For Tables
On: 020 7688 8899 (Lines Open 10.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat)

Web info:

http://www.myspace.com/keepthefaithclubnight

Line Up:

Resident DJs:
PAUL AAARON (Keep The Faith / Groove Lineage)
DJ KAY (Keep The Faith / UKSoulJam)
Special Guest DJ FUNKSY (Praxis / DS Music PR)

Resident Band:
HARLANO & THE CKB

Hosted By:
HARLANO, ADEOLA & PAUL AAARON

Live Performances From:

INDIGO BROWN
LIFFORD (Artful Dodger)
ANN-MARIE LATAILLE
SUBURBAN BLUE Ft MADAME PEPPER
LOUISE GOLBEY
RAFF
CRAMBJAZ
CYNTHIA ERIVO

+ Open Mic & Jam Session (Open To The Public Later In The Show)
+ More TBA & Surprise Guests On The Night.

Further web info:

http://www.myspace.com/keepthefaithclubnight

For all show enquiries & if you would like to perform please email:
keepthefaithful@gmail.com

A KEEP THE FAITH Events Production

_MG_3779, originally uploaded by Faz K PSPJ.

The sampan was made by hand and transported from Pulau Duyung, Terengganu, the announcer said.

Putrajaya was bursting with colors during Floria 2009. I took this shot on late Saturday afternoon. It was still very hot and bright, even though the long shadows showed me that it was close to sunset. I was at the foot of the Millenium Monument and turned around towards the lake. The whispering leaves of the trees welcomed me. I immediately sat down on the lush green grass and felt calmer, cooler. I wanted to capture the dreamy feeling I had, so I decided to use the tree branches to frame the small boat. It took me 12-13 frames to make sure that I got the boat where I wanted it to be. And now, I can look at this photo and transport myself back to that moment on a late Saturday afternoon where I was in my own little world, right there in the shade of the trees by the Putrajaya lake.

Photo details: taken with the EOS 500D on AV mode, 1/500sec, f/4.5, 25mm focal length, ISO 100, +2 EV

We shared already about Yoochun and his “Keep The Faith” necklace, but seems that the jewelry store was in “BUY ONE GET ONE FREE” promo at that time… that’s why Junsu also got one from the fans

*ducky kick by Jun-chan*

ouch! okay okay!
since Junsu is Yoochun’s love-mate, that’s why he has one too

*throwing “are-you-happy-now” glare to Junsu* <___<

wonder if all members actually have one as well ^^

credit: on pic + soompi
shared by: sharingyoochun@wordpress

I feel like posting Yoochun’s happy face again for his slogan got highly-promoted these past weeks

Here’s another group and another group of songs.!

Now it’s from the Jpop group KAT-TUN!!

KAT-TUN composed of members Kamenashi Kazuya, Akanishi Jin, Taguchi Junnosuke, Tanaka Koki, Ueda Tatsuya, and Nakamaru Yuichi this group has been referred to as the most famous group in Japan. KAT-TUN have been named and grouped KAT-TUN even before the idea of debuting. Some interesting facts about their junior days is that these 6 never seem to come along well. They always fight and members Kazuya and Tatsuya even went as far as a fist fight. Right now these 6 are good friends and try not to have a fight that bad anymore.

DOWNLOAD: (MF Links)

+ KAT-TUN – Real Face.mp3
(This is KAT-TUN’s debut song from the same titled debut single.)

+ KAT-TUN – SIGNAL.mp3
(This is KAT-TUN’s 2nd single. It was used for a CM to promote a certain cell phone brand.)

+ K_T-TUN – 僕らの街で (Bokura no Machide).mp3
(K_T-TUN’s 3rd single with the absence of lead singer Jin Akanishi who went to L.A. to study English. This was also the OST of Kamenashi’s Jdorama Tatta Hitotsu no Koi/Only Love.)

+ KAT-TUN – 喜びの歌 (Yorokobi no Uta).mp3
(KAT-TUN’s come back single Song of Joy along with Jin Akanishi.)

+ KAT-TUN – Keep the Faith.mp3
(Used as the OST for the Jdorama Yukan Club starring KAT-TUN members Jin Akanishi and Taguchi Junnosuke plus Kanjani8’s Subaru Shibutani and guest appearance from NewS’s Koyama Keiichiro.)

+ KAT-TUN – DON’T U EVER STOP.mp3
(KAT-TUN’s 7th single with a rock-like genre.)

+ KAT-TUN – White X’Mas.mp3
(KAT-TUN’s winter release for Christmas!)

+ KAT-TUN – ONE DROP.mp3
(KAT-TUN does it again with another single after the winter season.)

+ KAT-TUN – RESCUE.mp3
(This was used as the OST of the Jdorama ‘RESCUE’ starring KAT-TUN member Nakamaru Yuichi and NewS member Masuda Takahisa.)

+ KAT-TUN – YOU.mp3
(This was the promotional song for the Cartoon KAT-TUN YOU album.)

+ KAT-TUN – PRECIOUS ONE.mp3
(One of the songs from the Cartoon KAT-TUN II YOU album.)

that’s all.!
look out for other groups.!

I took this picture almost 13 months ago. Back then, I had no idea of the rule of thirds, the vignetting on the corners, spot-metering, depth of field or whatnots – I just pointed and shot. I liked it, I kept it.

I love this picture because it really captured how happy I was at that moment. I was lying on the sand on Merang beach in my hometown state, looking up to the blue sky that felt so near that I could almost grab it if I reached out my hand. To me, the vast sky was more about hope and preseverance than emptiness and pain. I’m smiling even now, as I recall that lovely spontaneous holiday – there was no one on that beach, it was like owning your own little private island!  :-)

Right now, I do realise that sometimes I think too much – making sure that I get the exposure, composition & other technical stuff right – and I forget how I feel; what prompted me to pick up the camera and look through the viewfinder at that particular moment.

From now on, I’ll remember.  And I’ll ask you to remember too.

So, how does this picture make you feel?