Why Would I Write

  • Rain

    For the past year, every time I’ve sent my car for a wash, it would rain later in the day. Case in point, I sent my car for a wash two days ago during lunch and it rained in the evening. I’m not even kidding. Unless you believe that there’s some greater being out there trying to fuck with me, there really is no relation between my car getting washed and the weather. But it did get me wondering why this always happens.

    Do I have a biological barometer that instructs my brain to send my car for a wash whenever it thinks it’s going to rain? Instead of my bones starting to hurt or my body getting aches, my tells me, “hey – the weather is going to get wet, you should get your car ready for it!” I don’t know why I don’t check the weather before I send my car for a car wash. It’s literally one swipe away on my homescreen.

    I know I’ve had some polarizing thoughts about our weather – before I experienced snow, I wrote about how great it would be to have cold weather in Malaysia but after that I wrote about how it was a hassle having to put on a coat and gloves every time you headed outdoors. The weather we had in KL last weekend was perfect. It was cold enough to put on a hoodie if you wanted, but not too cold to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt.

    Rain is great – if you’re not caught in a traffic jam or have anywhere to go to. It’s the perfect complement to a cup of hot coffee and some cigarettes. The sound of rain falling and hitting a roof is calming and therapeutic. I guess there’s a reason why RainyMood.com exists. I don’t know if it’s just me, but for some reason I feel colder whenever I put it on.

    Rain always comes to mind when I think about assigning values to situations/problems in life. To an area that is suffering from drought – rain is heaven-sent. To another place that is suffering from floods, rain is a nightmare. Rain, like everything in life, itself is neutral – it is your situation/mindset that determines how you see it.

  • Gig #111: KL Journal Open Mic

    Wow, it’s been a while since I wrote one of these. Tomorrow I’ll be playing my first show of 2018, also my first gig since playing with The Propositions in Penang last November. Should be fun! Drop by if you guys wanna listen to cool tunes while drinking chill beer. Brendan de Cruz is headlining, that dude’s voice is smooth as silk.

    Event Page [Facebook]
    Date: 18 January 2018
    Time: 8-11pm
    Venue: KL Journal Hotel [Google Maps]

    The KL Journal Open Mic is our brand spankin’ new open mic night right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur that happens every Thursday! #openmicmy

    ***FEATURED ACT***

    BRENDAN DE CRUZ

    Passion, and persistence without exception are the two key things that would best describe Brendan de Cruz as a person, and most of all, as a musician.

    His strong vocals make up for his seemingly reserved personality, but stay a little longer and you’ll learn that this talented musician is so much more than meets the eye.

    With a heart made for music & a voice that leaves quite an impression, Brendan James best defines who he is & what he does when he says,

    “As long as I’m making music, I’m happy.”

    Follow him: https://www.facebook.com/brendandecruz/

    ***YOUR HOST***

    SHANEIL DEVASER OF THE ENDLEAVES

    Shaneil Devaser has been around the block! From fronting Crossing Boundaries back in his college days, to backing Mystery Tapes on bass and vocals. He has gigged all over Malaysia and beyond, including stints in Singapore, Australia, USA, Japan and Hong Kong, and has even pocketed a couple of VIMA awards! With 2 albums and a few EPs from various projects under his belt, he now tours with his rock band The Endleaves to promote their releases nationwide and across the great divide! Join the revolution!

    Follow him: https://www.instagram.com/shaneildevaser/
    …and his band: https://www.instagram.com/the_endleaves/

    ***OPEN MIC***

    #1 Jenssen Kuek
    #2 Dowandofla
    #3 Yasher Shafiai
    #4 Yo-Gi
    #5 2storeyheart

    Sign up by emailing us@openmicmalaysia.org 😀 #kljournal

    JOM!

    #jointherevolution

    For more info on our other events, visit: http://openmicmalaysia.org/

  • Running from the Light

    Seven in the morning, another blue Monday, I thought to myself as I swung my legs off the side of the bed and sat up. I had one of those unmemorable weekends that flew by without much thought. I couldn’t even remember what I had for dinner on Sunday. But I appreciated the rest I got. Not having to think about work was something that I enjoyed. Alas, that time has come to an end.

    I wiped the crust from my eyelids and dragged my feet to the bathroom. As I turned on the tap to wet my toothbrush, I heard a loud crash from the living room. What the fuck? I turned off the tap, dropped my toothbrush into the sink and strode quickly out of my room.

    In front of me stood an armored man wielding as sword, pointing it at me and yelling, “Dark Lord, your reign of terror ends today!” Around him lay my door in half, splinters all over the ground. This crazy person had destroyed the door to come into my home. I was not amused.

    “What is the meaning of this?” I yelled back. I couldn’t see the man’s face behind his helmet’s visor, but based on how he reacted, he seemed surprised.

    “Did I get the wrong house?”

    “You sure as hell did!”

    “I’m utterly sorry,” he apologized. “I was told that this was the house of the Dark Lord!”

    “Not another one of you fools!” I sighed, shaking my head. I looked at my watch, I was going to be late for work.

    “For the last time, can you tell whoever is giving you the information that this is the wrong place? Please stop bothering me. I’m tired of having to buy a new door every time this happens!”

    “My sincerest apologies,” said the man who lowered his sword. He put it back into its sheathed and turned around, going through the now door-less door frame.

    As he left I breathed a sigh of relief. Phew, I guess it’s time to look for a new place to live in. It had been a while since the light side discovered where I lived. They’re probably going to send more men next time. Next time, I won’t be around.

    I phoned in to work to tell them I quit. Then, I went into my room, packed my backpack and teleported to another dimension.

    Writing Prompt from Reddit: You are an average person going about their day when suddenly your door is busted open. Outside is a man in armor wielding a sword, who points it at you and declares, “Dark Lord, your reign of terror ends today!”