Kitab Atok: tuturan alambina

Resepi baru

Maaflah, dah seminggu lebih tak update blog ni. Rasanya semua maklum, resepi baru kehidupan atok agak padat akhir-akhir ini - anak kecil, tidur yg terjaga dek tangisan dan tugasan menukar lampin, berulang-alik ke London, terawikh dan lain-lain. Berbuka selalunya di site, dengan beberapa pekerja Muslim yang lain. Simple sahaja, ala koboi. Dengan pinggan kertas, gelas plastik, juadah masakan rakan Afghan bersama roti pita....dalam kesejukan.

Biasanya, atok tiba di rumah dalam jam 7:00-7:15 malam, dan terus bergegas untuk solat terawikh bersama teman-teman seMalaysia di sini yang bermula pada jam 7:30 dengan solat Isyak. Alhamdulillah, Saudara A mewakafkan rumah lamanya yang masih kosong sebagai tempat solat. Kami hanya buat 8 rakaat + witir, dan seperti biasa...diakhirannya berehat sambil menikmati juadah ringan + teh tarik.

Jauh di tanahair tumpah darah, hari ini juga mula menikmati resepi baru dengan upacara resmi mengangkat sumpah Perdana Menteri ke-5. Selamat menjalankan amanah rakyat kepada Pak Lah, dan selamat beristirehat kepada Tun Dr Mahathir dan isteri.

Yang manis jangan terus ditelan
Yang pahit jangan terus dibuang

posted by Atok @ 11:16:00 pm (0) comments

The stork has arrived !

Alhamdulillah, my wife has safely delivered our second princess at 10:29pm (British Time) today. Both are fine and resting at the hospital.

posted by Atok @ 10:29:00 pm (0) comments

Seorang komuter

Sejak mulakan kerja baru di Kota London minggu lepas, terpaksalah masuk kelab komuter. Sememangnya di sini, sungguh ramai sekali yg berulang alik ke London untuk urusan kerja; dari tempat-tempat yang jauh-jauh, hinggalah 'sedekat' tempat atok. Tidaklah lama masa perjalanan keretapi, cuma sekadar 25-30 minit sahaja ke Stesen Keretapi Paddington, di sebelah barat Kota London. Namun yang tak larat tu, bilamana tibanya keretapi di stesen atok ni, 99.99% sudah pun penuh dan padat, maka berdirilah. Selalunya, atok berjalan kaki sahaja dari stesen ke tempat kerja; sekitar 20 minit. Begitu juga bila pulang kerja di hujung hari... dah penat kena berdiri lagi. Cuma terkadang untung bila keretapi baru 'diwarta platfom' dan sempat berkejaran masuk ke gerabak awal-awal.

Suatu waktu dahulu, atok pernah kerja di London, buat part time masa tengah buat MA. Tapi ...mmm, mungkin time tu 'gagah' lagi :D

Anyway, development at the site is right on track as planned. Soft strip and light demolition are taking place daily. Hopefully, very soon, we could start with some structural items; all depend on our Structural Engrs. Our site office is being 'furnished' slowly; I'm getting a laptop and BT engineer is coming to install our broadband connection. A packed nasi lemak + teh tarik from the a-stone-throw-away Holiday Villa starts my morning.

Another thing, I have to change my wardrobe > from Office Collection to Construction Couture (hard hat, steel toe boots, thick sweater, hi vis vest, measuring tape and walkie talkie).

posted by Atok @ 8:12:00 pm (0) comments

A new beginning...

For the past 3 months, it has been lots of uncertainties and negotiations. Finally, yesterday afternoon, we shook hands on it. Starting tomorrow, I'll be putting my labour of love for my country, especially for my fellow countrymen+women coming to London. We're working around the clock to get this job done on time, even slightly ahead of time, God permits, and we shall re-register our pride back in the capitol. It has been long and winding road for those involved. But now, it's the crunch... we are on site > demolishing, building, installing, decorating...all the hard manual works. And I am so very proud to be part of it, alhamdulillah. On the downside...I'll be joining the morning commuters packing the train to Paddington Station, but let's not think about it for now :D

Six or seven months from now, we all will be able to enjoy the comfort of praying at a bigger air-conditioned surau, eating at a brand new canteen, and for some...living in new mod-con accommodation (hotel standard); all in our much loved Malaysian atmosphere, insyaAllah. Let us all make doa for the success of this new and better Malaysian Hall in Bayswater, London... amin.

"An architect's most useful tools are an eraser at the drafting board, and a wrecking bar at the site" - The Genius FLlW

posted by Atok @ 10:02:00 am (0) comments

bored..numb...frustrated :(
Turkiye failed to score............. pretty sure they'll make it to Portugal via the harder way, all the best.

"Men achieve a certain greatness unawares, when working to another aim." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

posted by Atok @ 11:16:00 pm (0) comments

Lets get easy...

Hard working people are furious, absolutely furious. During a programme by a TV station here, they found out this:-

Family 1 (2 kids)
Hubby works 70 hours a week _____________ £25,000 per annum
Wife works 25 hours a week _______________ £12,000 p.a.
Child benefit (2 Childs) ___________________ £1,393 p.a.
Family tax credit ________________________ £525 p.a.
Tax & National Insurance ________________ - £12,000 p.a
TOTAL INCOME >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> £27,000 per annum

Family 2 (8 kids)
Hubby + Wife do NOT work
Child benefit (8 Childs) ___________________ £4,747 p.a.
Carer's allowance (1 child has chronic asthmatic) £5,691 p.a.
Income support ________________________ £13,710 p.a.
Incapacity benefit
(hubby depressed after dad died 6 years ago) _ £4,446 p.a.
Disability living allowance (1 child) ___________ £5,051 p.a.
Disability living allowance (another child) ______ £3,754 p.a.
Child benefit ____________________________ £4,747 p.a.
TOTAL INCOME >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> £37,402 per annum !!!
During the 44 minute interview, Family 2 swore 60 times. At one point, the hubby uttered 20 F-words in just 2½ minutes!
They decided not to look for any job, coz they'll lose their benefits, and that's not worth they said.

No wonder thousands of people risking their lives everyday to come to this generous island. I think I should declare myself 'depressed', then, sit at home blogging whilst the state fills my piggy bank for my daily shawarma and vanilla milk shake. On top of that, I would probably be able to enjoy Malaysian holiday annually. Mmmm... worth thinking. :-D

posted by Atok @ 9:30:00 pm (0) comments

Realiti dan Fantasi

Kerana didapati 'menipu', wartawan terkenal Sky News, James Forlong, telah mengantung diri kerana tidak tertahan tekanan kehidupan yang dialami. Tipuannya adalah dengan 'melakonkan' adengan perang dari kapal selam HMS Splendid semasa Perang Iraq baru-baru ini. Wartawan yang pernah membuat liputan dari Malaysia dan Nusantara ini terpaksa meninggalkan kerjaya yang dicintainya selepas disiasat oleh majikan pada bulan Julai lalu dan tidak upaya untuk mencari pekerjaan ganti sejak itu.

Dr Kelly juga menamatkan nyawanya kerana tekanan akibat disiasat dan di'jelek'kan oleh banyak pihak atas pendapatnya berkenaan dengan maklumat ketenteraan Iraq. Dia tak tipu...hanya bersuara gusar dan sangsi.

Begitulah hebatnya tekanan media massa di abad ini, yang belum pernah terjadi di masa lalu. Liputan 24 jam 7 hari 7 malam dari seluruh pelusuk dunia yang dikehendaki oleh umat manusia telah meletakkan mereka yang bertugas di paras tekanan yang amat tinggi. Masing-masing harus bergegas dan menunjuk upaya bahawa merekalah wartawan yang paling jaguh, paling sensasi, paling terdahulu dalam setiap kisah. Ternyata dalam dunia kewartawanan yang pantas (dan semakin pantas) ini, kesilapan amat senang bertandang.

Namun kesalahan hanya selalunya memakan tubuh-tubuh kecil yang tiada daya, sedang tuan laksamana pendekar agong takkan berganjak dari takhta empuk walau ribuan silap tersembul dikocek. Tidak ada mimpi yang akan membawa laksamana Bush dan Blair untuk mengaku salah mereka...langkah ganas tetap diorak, keris berdarah terus dihunus. Pada yang mungkir, robek digolos.

Malam tadi, saluran televisyen ITV telah mengambil keputusan untuk menayang semula dokumentari oleh wartawan terkenal John Pilger yang bertajuk 'Breaking The Silence'. Dokumentari sejam yang keras menghentam Amerika & Co dalam isu Perang Iraq ini pada mulanya ditayang pada 22/9 yang lalu. Lantaran terlalu ramai yang bertanya tentangnya, maka segmen kali ini diadakan dengan sessi soal-jawab di akhir rancangan, bersama dengan John Pilger sendiri. Terlalu banyak tipu helah dan putar belit Bush dan Rakan-rakan yang diwartakan oleh Pilger di dalam rancangan ini.

Ahli ilusi handal Britain, Derren Brown telahpun mempemerkan kehebatan beliau dalam aksi terkini dengan bermain 'Russian roulette' secara langsung di tv. Ramai sungguh yang ingin menembaknya, 12,500 orang telah memohon untuk 5 tempat yang dikehendaki. Kecohlah seantaro pulau mendesak aksi ini dibatalkan kerana takut-takut ia ditiru oleh anak muda yang saban hari semakin ganas dan kurang ajar. Persetankan semua itu, Derren teruskan juga....Bang! Bang! dua kali pistol Smith & Wesson ditembak dikepalanya...kosong. Seterusnya, tembakkan ketiga ke arah guni pasir, Bang! berlubang.

Rupa-rupanya....aksi ini hanya menggunakan pistol mainan. Semua tertipu. Mungkin rakan atok di sini, Saudara A yang pernah membekalkan pistol Smith & Wesson kepada PDRM selama 25 tahun dah boleh cam ketipuan senjata maut itu.

nota kaki: Rio Ferdinand lupa nak kencing dalam botol, langsung tak boleh ke Stadium Sucru Saracoglu bersama rakan-rakan hari Sabtu ini. Go go Turkiye !!!

posted by Atok @ 11:43:00 am (0) comments

Selamat maju jaya sahabat....

Hari ini, pada tahun 1957, Soviet Union telah memeranjatkan umat dunia dengan melancarkan satelit pertama, Sputnik, mengelilingi bumi...lantas memulakan Perang Angkasa.

Malam tadi, kami ke Heathrow Airport menghantar sahabat kami Dr R dan keluarga pulang ke tanahair tercinta. Anak muda lewat 20'an dari Muar ini telah tamat pengajian PhD beliau dalam bidang Aeroangkasa (aerospace) di Oxford University dengan cemerlang. Thesisnya telah diminta cetak sebanyak 14 salinan untuk agihan, walaupun ianya akan hanya diwartakan kepada umum 5 tahun lagi atas sebab-sebab rahsia komersil, sebagaimana yang disyaratkan oleh pembiaya kajian, Rolls-Royce plc, yang telahpun mengguna pakai hasil kerja beliau. Kami sering mengusik beliau dengan panggilan 'cosmonaut' dan 'austronaut' pertama Malaysia; Dr R telah dianjurkan oleh ketua jabatannya untuk memohon ke program angkasa negara yang akan bermula tahun hadapan bersama Russia.

Dengan kepulangan beliau, maka kehilanganlah orang kanan (dan pemain kompang) Sidi Muhd Afifi al-akiti dalam majlis2 mawlid dan qasidah. Alhamdulillah, ilmunya telah diperturunkan kepada Saudara N yang akan mengambilalih peranan tersebut.

Tahniah dan Selamat Maju Jaya! hingga kita bertemu lagi...

posted by Atok @ 11:50:00 am (0) comments

Hahahaha

In today's Daily Mail, there are a few extracts from 'Mediaballs', one of Britain's best compilations of gaffles and witticisms recently published. Here are some, from various quiz shows:

Steve Wright (Radio 2): What is the Italian word for motorway?
Contestant: Expresso.

Anne Robinson (The Weakest Link): Who wrote the political treatise Das Kapital?
Contestant: John Major.

Quizmaster: In which European country is Mount Etna?
Contestant: Japan.
Quizmaster: I did say which European country, so in case you didn't hear that, I can let you try again.
Contestant: Er, Mexico.

DJ Mark (Beacon Radio, Wolverhampton): For £10, what is the nationality of the Pope?
Ruth from Rowley Regis: I think I know this one. Is it Jewish?

Anne Robinson (The Weakest Link): Which Indian leader, whose last name began with 'G', took the title Mahatma??
Contestant: Geronimo.

Paul Wappat (BBC Radio Newcastle): How long did the Six Day War between Egypt and Israel last?
Contestant (after a long pause): 14 days.

Anne Robinson (The Weakest Link): What insect is commonly found hovering above lakes?
Contestant: Crocodiles.

Which brings me to remember an episode on RTM1 back home in the 70's. Then (when there were only 2 channels: RTM1 & RTM2) there was always some kind of quiz show going around, can't really recall their names, err...Kuiz Ria, Kuiz mmm... apa ntah. Anyway, there was this quiz hosted by the late Dato' Zainal Alam, at the Auditorium Besar Angkasapuri. As always, there was a segment called 'Penyertaan Penonton di Studio' (as well as 'Penyertaan Penonton di Rumah' segment). On that instance, the lucky guy was a young Indian student from Univ Malaya. I reckon there must be a flock of UM's students attending RTM thingy due to the proximity of the two places.

The contestant normally had to guess a certain recorded sound, such as nature's sound of waterfall, frogs, etc..or sometimes it was sounds from musical instruments. That day, so happened it was a sound of the Indian instrument Tabla. Everyone was expecting the Indian guy would be able to answer it in no time, but he looked rather nervous and confused. There was a moment of silent. I'm sure the late Dato' Zainal Alam was itching to give the present/hamper to this Indian guy, after all the student should instantaneously know the Tabla sound...it went:

Indian contestant guy: Mmmm... (with very nervous and confused face, gabra yang amat).
Dato' Zainal Aam: Cuba kita dengar sekali lagi kesan bunyi ini (sound re-played for about 10 secs).

Indian contestant guy: Mmmm... ta tau, tablaja [need to read this in Indian accent for one to get it] = "tak tahu, tak belajar".
In a split second:
Dato' Zainal Alam: TABLA !!! BETULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !!!!!!!!!!
and the still confused contestant went away with a rather nice hamper....and we couldn't stop laughing at home.

[note: sorry to all Indians if offended, I'm no racist...just so happened it was like that]

posted by Atok @ 11:43:00 am (0) comments