a fleeting stay ...

This picture of the suspension bridge across the Kampar River at the Kuala Dipang Curriculum centre, Kampar, Perak was taken on October 12, 2009 at 11.42 am. Who could have predicted that the bridge would collapse 15 days later as the picture below shows? On Monday night (October 26, 2009) the bridge, which was opened a month ago, gave way. The 22 pupils on the overpass were plunged into the river. Nineteen were rescued from the river while three girls drowned. They were among nearly 300 pupils attending a 1Malaysia unity camp. Another tragedy, another round of gloomy introspection. Will we ever learn from our past disasters? The usual calls for investigation have kept the newspapers busy. What's the use of making noises about safety and security? You and I know that we don't take these things seriously. I am reminded of an observation made by the late Syed Hussein Alatas: "Malaysia has no awareness of standards." This latest catastrophe is a further pro

Popular businessman Dato' Gary Thanasan held a social gathering in celebration of Diwali at his residence in Petaling Jaya yesterday. The above picture shows Gary, who is holding his daughter, with Prestige magazine editor Saleha Ali and journalists Yani (Bernama), Suraya (Life & Times editor) and Meena (Life & Times). Miss Malaysia (Universe) 1990 and Mrs Malaysia (World) 2004 Dato' Anna Lim came with her husband Dato' Jeffrey Lim and their two children. The friendly pair sportingly posed for a picture. Yani baked Gary, a former radio and TV show host, a classic dessert -- buttery rich Pineapple Upside Down Cake -- which brought back many childhood memories. She is pictured here with Meena, who came to the party in her usual Bollywood style. It was really a nice evening! Thank you Gary!

zenhabits (simple productivity) is one of the Top 100 blogs in the world. It also happens to be one of my favourite blogs. Its entries or posts seek to find "simplicity in the daily chaos of our lives". The message is to "focus on what's important, create something amazing, find happiness". It is the perfect pick-me-up when you feel down. Check it out here.

This image of the Kuala Lumpur Tower (foreground) and the Petronas Twin Towers (background) was taken by journalist Jehan Mohd from Maybank Tower in Kuala Lumpur City last month. Isn't it interesting how everything looks different at night? Take this view of the city, for example. What happened to the grime, congestion and pollution? Night-time covers a multitude of sins. It hides the real situation or facts when these are not good or pleasant. As one unknown source puts it, "night is the blotting paper for many sorrows". From the Talmud comes this warning: "Never greet a stranger in the night, for he may be a demon." While Somerset Maugham notes that "in the country the darkness of night is friendly and familiar, but in a city, with its blaze of lights, it is unnatural, hostile and menacing. "It is like a monstrous vulture that hovers, biding its time." If the black of the night sky inspires fear as we are likely to feel when power failures black

Japanese creativity teacher Shunya Susuki is a man of unusually great artistic ability. His wide-ranging creations which include solar electric cars, kites of unusual designs, sculpture of women and computer graphics animation reveal a highly-inventive mind. His recently completed Jang Geum Robot ( see picture ) is remarkable for its resemblance to Korean actress Lee Young Ae, who played historical figure Dae Jang Geum in the popular 2003 television series produced by South Korean television channel Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. The robot will bow with a smile when it meets a person. Susuki's creative endeavours display a commitment of time, energy and resources which is very encouraging to those who wish to hone their artistic skills. Some would call him a creative genius and I think that description is apt. Oxford Advanced Learner's dictionary ( Seventh Edition) defines a genius as a person of unusually great intelligence, skill or artistic ability.

My dear nephew, It has been a week since you were taken away from us. We miss you. Yes, death is inevitable, we accept that. Still, the grief lingers on. Time is a great healer, they say. But we will never forget you. We are glad that you had a full life. And we will remember that when we think of you. Al Fatihah