No blue skies over Kuala Lumpur today

The weather is not pretty here in Kuala Lumpur today. It wasn't either yesterday when a heavy downpour at around 4pm caused flash floods which in turn led to massive traffic congestion in many parts of the city.

In the east coast of the peninsula, preparations are underway in anticipation of the monsoon. Relief centres have been set up and people are moving their belongings to higher ground.

Just as we speak, across the Pacific Ocean, the US space shuttle Endeavour is making its final journey, at the less than rocket-propelled speed of two miles an hour, in a meticulously planned and stately trip through the streets of Los Angeles.

Some 400 trees have had to be cut down - provoking initial protests from locals - and power lines turned off to make way for the 78-ton vehicle on the two-day, 12-mile (19-kilometer) journey to the California Science Center.

The enormous white spacecraft, which reached 17,500 miles per hour when in Earth's orbit, began moving Friday afternoon, looking like a giant ocean liner cruising surreally across LA's mostly low-level cityscape. More..Space shuttle makes stately last journey to LA home

Back to KL. If you are into music, you may want to check out the local music scene. KL has a lot to offer whether it's dub, reggae, rock or jazz - clubs or concerts. Hey, it's Saturday! This weekend's music spread..

Monsoon Floods worsen in Kelantan

As flood worsens in Kelantan caused by heavy downpour in this year-end monsoon season, more residents are being evacuated. A total of 2,345 people were still at flood relief centres in Kelantan and Terengganu on Saturday, The Star reported.

Although this number is small compared to the number in Bangkok, it nevertheless disrupts routines and causes inconvenience and hardship to the victims. The number of evacuees in Kelantan has risen to 1,884 but in Terengganu, the number has dropped to 461.

In Pasir Mas, a stretch at Km24 of the Pasir Mas-Rantau Panjang Highway is impassable to light vehicles.

For readers not familiar with the Malaysian landscape, note the kampong (rural/village) house in the second image. This is a typical house in rural parts across the country. The elevated nature of these houses is a big help in the event of floods. In a village setting, free-range chickens and other fowl are a common sight under the house or running around in the compound. Being made of wood, these houses, usually big, are airy and cooling.

Source: The Star

Live Green - No Air-conditioning?

December is known to be a wet month here being the monsoon season. People of the east coast of the peninsula are usually prepared in the event of floods. Year-end exams are sometimes moved forward to accommodate this situation. Club Med which is located on the east coast is closed this time of the year beginning end of September and will stay closed until February or March.

Being a tropical country, Malaysia sees only rain and sunshine though we get the occasional electrical storms and strong winds. After the rain yesterday, it is good to see the sun out today. However, these days, it is not wise to go out into the sun with no protection. I use an umbrella going under the sun. A little protection goes a long way, don't you think? And in this weather, I hate to think of sitting in a car with an air-conditioning unit with a broken down a/c compressor. God forbid!