Cigars for a baby boy

Over here, fathers whose wife has just delivered a baby boy would give away cigars to male friends in celebration. The other day, a colleague was doing just that after the birth of his first-born, a boy.

Of course, this is not really a tradition but some fun guys practise it to celebrate the occasion. Chocolates are given away if the baby is a girl. I've often wondered where this came from.

Friday Frolics - What Cooking Show Are You?

This week's Friday Frolics personality quiz is about Cooking. The two reality television cooking competitions that I'm familiar with are Hell's Kitchen and Masterchef so when this quiz says I'm Iron Chef cooking show, I had to look it up.

I'd give this a 3 rating..

Rating Guide
1 = Absolutely not true
2 = Some truth
3 = 50% true
4 = Mostly true
5 = Close to 100% true

Happy Friday! Hey, we had sunshine today. :)

You Are Iron Chef

For you, food is an adventure - the crazier the better! You may not be the world's greatest chef, but that doesn't stop you from coming up with your own zany creations. You are an adventurous eater, and you haven't been known to pass up an exotic ingredient or dish. You are also a natural food critic. Very few dishes measure up to your standards.

What Cooking Show Are You?

Friday Frolics: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Innocence of Muslims - Actress sues California man

Three days ago, an incoming email with the subject: There may be no anti-Islamic movie at all got me thinking whether I should post it and spread a little awareness but thought against the idea considering the sensitive nature of the issue.

But am glad now I no longer have to keep it under wraps as The Star has an article today about it. You can read about it here: Actress sues California man behind anti-Muslim film

In case you are wondering what this is all about, this is in relation to the movie/video that has stirred up quite a reaction and caused much unrest and/or deaths in some parts of the world, even in Indonesia.

Even our very own Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim was quick to react describing YouTube as being insensitive to the anguish of Muslims the world over as it has yet to remove film clips of the "Innocence of Muslims" from its listing.

Another article in the same paper published the same day says Google Malaysia blocks 'Innocence of Muslims' video clip and that

Those trying to load the video from a Malaysian Internet Protocol (IP) address would see a message that reads: "This content is not available in your country due to a legal complaint. Sorry about that."

Out of curiosity, I did a search on Google Malaysia and voila(!) was surprised to be able to access the video clip and the full movie as well. Go figure.

Let's hope this new information will put a stop to all the escalating violence in countries where people strongly reacted to this "dubbed" movie before more damage is done and more deaths resulting.

As if it's not enough that we have to contend with natural disasters left and right! I can't help thinking if all these man-made disasters are also counted as contributing to what's leading up to the end of the world on Dec 22 which by the way many experts and spiritual leaders are advising preparation for.

Harper Beckham - Daughter of David and Victoria Beckham

Cute as a button, the little one, that is. That's Harper Beckham with her mum, Victoria Beckham, at the mum's New York Fashion Week show last week. (Source: Dailymail)

Meanwhile, dad, 37-year-old soccer star David Beckham, is apparently ready to part with $162,230 (£100,000) to buy the Aston Martin the car that Daniel Craig drives in the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace.

Being a huge Bond fan, Becks has always wanted to own something classy from the films. However fellow footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is also after the motor and is bidding for it too.

The two-door V12 DBS coupe will be the top attraction at Christie’s charity auction on October 5.

David Beckham's car collection is said to include Cadillacs, Porsches, Range Rovers, Bentleys and a Hummer. More..

Sweet Dreams of Annie Lennox

Now here's a familiar name spotted as I was going through The Star today. The article says Pop diva Annie Lennox weds for third time.

It says:
LONDON: Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox has married for the third time, her spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

The former Eurythmics star, 57, wed American gynaecologist Mitch Besser on Saturday in London.

The ceremony was reportedly onboard a boat on the River Thames in a ceremony attended by Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth and comedienne Ruby Wax.

Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics gave us some of the best 80s music. Sweet Dreams stands out and remains a classic and a favorite of mine to this day. Yes, a wedding (a third one at that!) calls for a celebration and what better way to celebrate than listening to Sweet Dreams again. The 80s, some say the best, music-wise.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics


Watch a live performance at an awards ceremony..


Annie Lennox has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide with the Eurythmics and as a solo artist, winning a string of awards including four Grammys and an Oscar for a song that appeared on the "Lord of the Rings" soundtrack.

She performed at the closing ceremony for the London Olympics last month, as well as the star-studded concert outside Buckingham Palace in June marking Queen Elizabeth II's 60th year on the throne. -AFP


Image Source: The Star

An Obituary in the London Times

Oh, this is too good to pass up. It is an Obituary printed in the London Times says the email. A brilliant piece. Read on..

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense,
who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he
was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red
tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable
lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend
more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not
children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old
boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens
suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher
fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his
condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing
the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their
unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but
could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to
have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became
businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their
victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed
to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a
little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust,
by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his
son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If
you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and
do nothing.

Prince William and Kate on Far East tour

Source
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are on a tour of the Far East as representatives of Queen Elizabeth II in conjunction with the celebration of her Diamond Jubilee. Malaysia is included in the itinerary. Their Royal Highnesses arrived at KL International Airport on Thursday, Sep 13, to begin their three-day official visit in the city.

Malaysia was their second destination after Singapore in their 9-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific. Let's trace their footsteps a little to see the activities they have been involved in..

Will and Kate on their way to Seri Perdana for lunch with the Prime Minister and his wife after arriving at KLIA - Source

Prince William and his wife Catherine pose with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor at Seri Perdana - Source

The royal couple later visited Hospis Malaysia, a charitable organisation which offers professional palliative care to patients suffering from life-limited illnesses, and received a warm welcome from residents and children from a nearby kindergarten.

School children waiting for the arrival of Prince William and his wife Catherine outside Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur Thursday - Source

Prince William and Catherine unveiling a plaque at Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur - Source

The Duchess of Cambridge shares a light moment with a boy and a woman - Source

In the evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had an audience with the King and Queen, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah and attended a royal banquet at Istana Negara.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose for a photograph with Malaysian King Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Queen Haminah Hamidun, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor at the palace in Kuala Lumpur - Source
Included in the royal couple's itinerary was a visit to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and in Sabah, the Danum Valley, a primary tropical rainforest in Sabah. They left for the Solomon Islands on Sunday (yesterday).

School children waiting to welcome the arrival of Prince William and Kate Middleton during their 'cultural walkabout' at KLCC Park in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. The iconic Petronas Twin Towers in the background. - 14 September, 2012 - Source

Wonderful weather for a walkabout in the KLCC Park. Pretty flowers for a pretty lady..

Prince William and Catherine Middleton making their way to the Assyakirin Mosque during the royal couple's walkabout at KLCC Park on Friday

Respectful: Prince William and his wife Kate take their shoes off - Source

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, giving a speech during a business luncheon hosted by the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Friday. - Reuters - 14 September, 2012 - Source

Brave face: The Duchess of Cambridge smiled her way through a tea party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur despite the news that a French magazine has published topless pictures of her on holiday - Source

Grim faced: With lips pursed, the Royal pair head down the red carpet towards a waiting Boeing 737-800 jet at Kuala lumpur's airport taking them to their next stop, Sabah, East Malaysia.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, wear the beaded jewellery Pinakol, synonymous with the Rungus ethnic culture, on their arrival at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Beach Resort in Kota Kinabalu for a two-day visit to Sabah. NORMIMIE DIUN/The Star

The royal couple visited a rainforest in Borneo and enjoyed the high life - by being hoisted up a 130ft rainforest tree by ropes and walking along a 300-metre long canopy bridge.

Kate joked: 'I'm going to go "whee" and fly the way up.'

William and Kate toured the Danum Valley research centre in Sabah, one of the two States that make up the Malaysian part of Borneo. More: Dailymail - including a video

After lunch, much to their delight, they were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an Orang-Utan family, a mother, father and their baby, while with a guide from the lodge.

An Orang-Utan seen near the tree William and Kate were hoisted up by forest conservationists

The couple have vowed not to let the furore over a magazine's decision to publish topless pictures of the Duchess derail their nine-day Diamond Jubilee tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific.

The say they are determined to press ahead with their high profile visit.

A source close to William and Kate, said they felt intense anger and disappointment at what had happened but believed very strongly that the tour was far too important to British interests abroad to be allowed to suffer.

'The Duke and Duchess are hugely disappointed by what has happened but both feel very strongly that it should be business as usual,' the source said.

'They feel it has been a great success so far and have thoroughly enjoyed the places they have visited and the people they have met.

The couple launched a legal action in the French courts against Closer magazine for what they described as a 'grotesque' and 'unjustifiable' breach of their privacy.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, concluded their four-day visit to Malaysia Sunday.

They were given a traditional red carpet send-off at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at about 7am. Next stop: the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

On to Solomon Islands: Kate is crowned an Island Princess as she wears decorative headpiece given by well-wishers during village visit in South Pacific

More..
Photo gallery from The Star
Photo gallery from The Telegraph, UK
Videos from The Star

Related articles:
- Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for three-day visit
- Royal couple endear themselves to guests with down-to-earth approach
- Tea and sympathy for Kate as she puts on a brave smile but grim-faced William shows his anger after topless photo outrage
- Scene of the crime: Royals confirm legal action against French mag as we reveal spot where long-lens photo of topless Kate was taken
- Will and Kate end Malaysia visit and head for Solomon Islands
- 'I'm going to go whee and fly the way up': Wills and Kate are royal high-nesses as they forget their troubles by being hoisted up a 130ft tree in Borneo rainforest
- Kate is crowned an Island Princess as she wears decorative headpiece given by well-wishers during village visit in South Pacific

Bustling Port Dickson

Kuala Lumpur being located inland provides little or no real opportunity for sunset views on ground level. Fortunately for highrises, beautiful sunsets can still be viewed though not over the horizon.

Port Dickson, a coastal town southwest of KL provides great sunset views however. Just an hour's drive from the city, PD as it is commonly-known, is now seeing a lot of development with a coastline now lined with hotels and holiday resorts.

Just like oak island nc real estate, Port Dickson real estate is now much in demand. This little town once laid back and quiet is now bustling with holiday-makers and an increasing local population. Have you been to Port Dickson lately? You would be surprised at how lively it is now.