Lets vote F.O.O.D for unity!!

If there is one thing that could unite the people, it has to be food. Really, look around you, whenever there is free food on offer, be it a shop launching, food promo or a philanthropist treat, you could see everybody of different background, lining up (sometimes jostling too, hehe) for the food.

I chanced upon the launching of some furniture megastore, where free satay are served at 6pm. I can see all races, lining up together for the food which makes me wonder if they really come for the furniture or chanced upon free food opportunity. Half of the people at the megastore are lining up at the satay booth :)

During each festivities open houses, which some say is hard to find anywhere else in the world, we could see people taking the opportunity to meet their leaders and what else, eat. Relatives and friends take turns visiting those close to them, and sample the numerous delectable food, which is the signature of open houses.

Some say it could be due to the fact that its free. Who doesn't want freebies? But, even if one has to pay for his own food, we could see all walks of life browsing and choosing from the many choices of food available during 'pasar malam' (night market). This phenomenon is greatly amplified during the fasting month, especially when some of the more obscure (and exotic?) food make their entrance.

Maybe, just maybe, food in all its glory could actually be a tool of unity.

Is it all really about power and control?

In 2007, a few of us get together and toyed with the idea of creating an alumni society for the performing arts group that we use to join in uni. So, in good faith we called everybody we know to attend the inaugural meeting. The turnout was good, considering the short notice and we proceeded  to set-up a committee to formalize the process of registration.

We tried to be nice to everybody, by trying to have each batch represented in the committee. Its not easy, as the timeline of membership spans almost a decade. Once everything is in order, we then try to get the signatures and forms ready etc. We got everything in, except for Bung's signature. That delays the process.

Fast forward to 2008. Out of nowhere, we heard that another group of people are reviving the process. They are, it seems, in the middle of registering the alumni group with the respective body. We applaud them for their action, but its the manner of how it is being done, left a bitter taste in our mouth.

Firstly, this group of people are being so secretive about it. In 2007, we had the good faith to involve everybody in the process. Alas now, we are left out of the picture completely and not informed in any way. And to think that some of them are actually in the former pro-tem committee. The reason given to justify their action, are hollow to say the least.

In retrospect, I am not the least concerned about who actually registers the alumni society. In fact its good. I do not have to think about management, finances or the members expectation. I can just be a simple member. Its not about my group versus their group. Its really about our group. 

Unfortunately, by not extending the good faith to those other than your own, you might inadvertedly burn the bridge. Or, its just a simple matter of wanting to be in power AND having control?

Hitam it is then...

After a few months hiatus, now its on again. Once it was thought that the UPSI projects are heading to the bin, it was revived with a meeting just before the fasting months. Discussion on the Net was furious, with the performance scaled down from a full fledged play, to a 45 min dekon.

Last weekend, a few people got together at our alma mater, and discussed more on the matter (and also for the selection of the script and actors). Kell, Pet, Masz, Wynn and myself meet with Ayrie, our friend from UPSI. The script were down to three, either Hitam, Penantian and another one which I cant really remember. In the end, Hitam was chosen.

As for the production, I was offered the director's chair, which I decline. So, Kell is now the director. We toyed with the idea of challenging Wynn by offering her the role of Juwita, and Masz to play Sarah. Pet, offers himself to be Hitam, the cat. And, it was a stroke of genius to call and offer Mal the role of the playboy Farouk, which some quarters said are based on him, hehehe.

Once that is settled, we draw up training schedule and discussed on production need. As of today, they have started training (great), which I haven't had the chance to join. Hopefully, next week, I'll drop by. Good luck guys. This shows what a few people with the extra resolve, could achieve. Onward...