1/2 full

The older generation keeps on commenting about how ‘fortunate’ the younger generation are. Frankly, it is only out of respect that I do not argue otherwise. Sure, we don’t face from the threat of Japanese invasion. Of course, most of us have RO/mineral/filtered/treated water (rather than water from the well [air perigi]) and air conditioned rooms to keep us healthy and comfy. But, although we are free from any Japanese bombs we are not free from other modern pre-existing threats. The modern threats to safety are too many to fathom. From the common robber/snatch thief to the IRA/Al-Qaeda/ Jemaah Islamiah/ Hezbollah we are far from safe in this century either. Maybe our standard of living has improved but at what cost? Even my grandparents agree that they have never seen so many cases of crime being reported daily in our newspapers. It has become too much of a norm that people do not even care anymore. The papers are a bringer of ill fate. I used to like reading the papers. Now, the only sections I look forward are the comics and the sports section.

As I keep getting disillusioned with the turn of events, I find that I’m not alone. Articles in the papers such as a rather good one by an Associate Professor of Law of UM showed the irony of living in such a joke like condition, so much so that he says he has to be forgiven for shedding a tear. I can’t deny I’m idealistic although much has been toned down as I grow older and realise the shackles put forth by society itself which just refuses any paradigm shift. In tough times like this, I made a point to visit my grandparents ‘just to talk’.

Somehow, I realise that talking to them always makes the world seem that lil’ bit brighter. It is people like them, with constant support, that nourishes you for the rubbish that the world has to offer. Many of us today do not know to appreciate those around us simply because of the rat race that we call modern ‘LIFE’. Perhaps linguistically it is correct for it is LIFE in a sense as the body keeps on ‘living’. It is only the soul that is ravaged by arduous demands of time. ‘Success’ has bred more success and people now always need something, that special something before another person is deserved some love or respect. It is not love/respect someone first and then hope for something in return but it seems that the mantra is to treat someone as badly as possible and if that person loves/respects you then he/she ‘deserves’ that respect.

My granddad told me about stories of old where people had no TV, where his father smoked opium, and his brothers’ only past time was to play around the well. Life seemed so simple back then. Without a care in the world they lived happily. Although people were oppressed through war and the initial unrest after the war, people knew what was most important in life and cherished it much better then we do today. I realise much of the generation of yesterday learn to look at the glass ½ full. People like Fishtail always bring a subtle aura of joy to the room he visits.

After leaving my grandparents home, I too see the glass ½ full rather then ½ empty. What a shame that the liquid inside the glass is green with filth!

P/S: The area around the Sunway Extreme Park is always a hazard to drivers as cars are parked randomly along the streets especially at night. It is quite weird to see police officers patronising the mamak stalls around the area that contribute to the problems in the first place. If the mamak stalls are taking so much space until the cause reckless endangerment to road users should they not be penalised? Apparently not! It is only a matter of time before someone sitting happily in these stalls become road kill. Does anyone know who will be responsible for averting such an inevitable disaster?