Glittering Blackness

Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka. Sudah hampir setengah abad kita menikmati kemerdekaan. Sudah selama ini jugalah kita masih tercari-cari akan erti sebenar akan kebebasan kita ini. Bebaskah kita tatkala hidup ini masih dibelenggu dengan perasaan inferior terhadap kebolehan kita sendidri? Bebaskah akan kita pabila cemuhan yang dilemparkan oleh saudara-saudara kita sendiri seperti tiada kesudahannya? Ingatlah wahai sahabat, bahawa dikiri ku ada kanan mu. Dimana kau menoleh, disitulah adanya aku menghulurkan pertolongan pabila perlu, Insya'allah. Sudah, berehatlah. Kerana dirimu sudah lesu dimamah kenangan keperitan masa lampau. Terimalah keikhlasan yang diterbitkan dari kejujuran ini....

If someone did recite the speech above infront of the public, I'd kill my conscious. I mean, yeah I wrote it but it seems pointless. I'm not a patriotic citizen unlike those who claim themselves to be one. Heck, amidst all the unwavering support and affection towards our proud nation, could you lose count on those who would really take a bullet for ol' Malaysia? Youths nowadays still bitch about the whole NS thingie. Yeah, you have the liberty to go and "fuck tha' police!" alongside De La Rocha but why not screw the whole system that you ever so often claim as "a fucked-up democracy constitution" from inside the system itself? Seriously, it is pointless ain't it? You're living off the benefits that's being offered to you by the ones you accused of such redundant accusations. Chances of me being politically incorrect about this whole thing is highly likely as I don't fancy politics for its swindling schemes frequently screwing up most missions of good deeds. Action does speaks louder than words but it also might work against you. Be nice.

My campus was chosen to be the host for the Merdeka celebration for the whole of Middle Perak (Sounds Tolkien-ish eh?). Rationally, it should be something that has been the talk of the town prior to it but surprisingly, not even a word mentioned about it until the day before the actual event took place. Funny. I guess that's what happen when your mind's set to be back home. No amount of persuasion will ever make you think thrice. Despite that almost half of the student population in campus went home for the long weekend, the turnout for last night's event was pretty awesome. Of course, if it was'nt for the public attendence the whole thing would be another compulsory campus affair. But I would like to applaud my fellow campus mates not only for their support, but also for their co-operation in making the whole thing a smooth sail to the end.

Before the whole thing kicked off, me, Amir, Am & Afiq had a round of drink in Bukit Aman. We proceeded to the venue (UiTM's un-maintained field) as soon as we saw that everyone was rushing their way through. As usual, they could'nt possibly held the whole thing much to the favor of us students in terms of the programmes offered. The whole night was generally scattered with repertoire of old Malay traditional songs. You know, the usual suspects. We have the Kurak Kundi for starters, and to be later added with a few karaoke moments by the campus officials and officers from other government bodies, but luckily it ended with the Art Dancers refreshing rendition of this season's blockbuster movie theme song, Asmaradana. Tuan Syed was one of the campus official to steal the spotlight. He recieved thunderous applause and high-pitched shrieks from the girls. Unfortunately the applause was apparently too much as his rendition of an unfamiliar Malay oldies hit did'nt make a decent impact. He could probably be having a slight flu that night. But they do save the best for last. A few perfomances after that, it was the big man on campus' turn to shine the night (Not with his 'shiny' head, mind you). Our dear Campus Director belted out Intan Payung with ease. It was quite a dissapointment to me for I very much prefer for him to sing that Pasir Roboh song. Funny that, the moment he went on stage, the image of Billy Corgan clad in baju batik singing M. Daud Kilau's Cek Mek Molek came to mind. I giggled at myself silently. I have to say that both Billy Corgan and our dear Campus Director do have an uncanny resemblance in a way.

But the much-anticipated performance of the night was surely the debut appearance by the newly established Kugiran UiTM. Adam was suppose to sing a song or two but he backed out due to the 'crappiness' of the rest of the bandmates. Fuzzy on the other hand went AWOL about the whole thing even before they started practising. I don't know about the rest but I'm surely dissapointed by their rendition of both Aku Cinta Kau Dan Dia & Antara Anyir Dan Jakarta. But I was'nt surprised. It was expected. I mean, judging by their practice session that I attended, with the amount of effort they spill in, they're going nowhere despite the fact that these guys are regarded as 'veterans' in the campus's music network. Zhaf was again proven right about the rhythm gutarist. He's crappy. And he can't be any crappier to the fact that their slot was briefly delayed since his amp went all cranky. Besides the need of improving their musicianship, their wardrobe needs attention too. Their female vocalist dressed in a Moulin Rouge-like outfit singing Antara Anyir Dan Jakarta in front of the VIP's. Reminded me of a usual scene in a dangdut pub. To make her look humiliating in the eyes of many, she did'nt memorize the lyrics and her nervous vocals did'nt help either. I believe the reason why the Kugiran received the applause is that those who cheer for them are mostly friends of theirs so by shouting their names or calling out their nicknames would make them look cool or, they're glad that the horrid is finally over. I personally choose the latter reason solely for myself.

So then came countdown time. Except for Afiq, the three of us went in and join the rest of the crowd in the middle of the field for the moment to finally come. It was a very high-spirited moment for all of us. Heh. Amir was clearly dissapointed for the absence of fireworks. Maybe next year bro, maybe next year. So after a few patriotic songs, we left the scene and headed back to our block since they've prepared a little feast for the students. I knew it. The number that has made me wondered all night about its origin is Fuzzy's home number. So after a few times, I managed to answer her call. Everything sounded quiet at the end of the other line. And my instincts were proven right again. She apparently claim that she's not in the mood to celebrate. A few moments later and our conversation ended with the usual goodbyes.

Today's Tuesday being at its boredom best. Spent the whole thing doing absolutely nothing other than writing this piece of mind. Actually I should be preparing myself for IMK tomorrow since we're the first group to present. But I'm still very much attached with the whole spontaneous thing. Wish me luck folks. It's always needed.

Be nice & happy hunting everyone.

-I need you. Whomever you may be. I need you-