daronloo

I think this incident should be a good launch pad for a reality show.  I'm pretty sure the global community in the now is aware of how the NST portrayed an Australian Senator as an "anti-Islam"-ist.  The innocent ombudsman who was in KL to observe the Bersih 3.0 demonstration found himself instead in the midst of Malaysia's all-too-common sting of malpractices.  I wonder what was going on in the mind of the reporter/editor of that particular article.  I'm not a news pundit but I know that misquoting someone is a no-no in both research and teaching, and I'm pretty sure in the news.  What do you get for doing this, ask NST, they will soon be expecting some lawsuits to fight against, and probably draining of some cash.    Seriously, I'd like to invite this writer to give a motivational speech on "the importance of ethical writing."

The first week of the holidays is always fun.  People are excited to see you, you have a million things you want to do, food you want to taste.  The second week, everything starts going downhill.  I'm not sure what the third holds for me. My holiday was basically over once I left Singapore.  Bangkok and Phuket were great as well.  I must say that the awesomeness of one's holidays depends on travel companions (if you're traveling with someone else). Otherwise, my days spent in Tamparuli has been basically idling.  Aside from the workouts that I have been able to maintain.  I've also been reading and working on PPTs for my classes next semester.  I'm on Chapter Five of the History of the English Language.  Something that I was initially very enthusiastic to teach, but then the explosion of information was just too much for me.  How am I to remember who did what to who when why where how?  Then there is the dilemma, do I want to ma...

For the past two weeks, I have developed a very intimate relationship with airports and planes.  I love the experience of going through the motions: checking in, clearing immigration, getting frisked? oopps! All is fun and well, but not so when you travel with certain groups of people.  This first group of people are from the south of Asia.  I came into contact with them on my flight back to Bangkok from Phuket.  They were all queued up nicely, albeit speaking to each other in a loud voice.  That was what I thought-that they were speaking loudly to each other, but apparently they were talking back to the lady at the counter.  They were causing such a ruckus that the personnel had to move them aside. This group of people were tolerable (since they were not in my way), but the next group I bumped into the next day was just crazy with a capital C.  snap snap snap* It was Friday at Suvarnabhumi Airport and I was checking in for my flight to Singapo...

Since living in Thailand, I haven't had the most pleasant experiences with hair dressers, barbers, stylists--whatever you want to call them.  Initially, I had friends here who had hair-trimming skills--better than Edward Scissorhands.  But all of these friends have left (I know what am I doing here?!) There are times when I trim my own mane when my hair ain't too long, but there are times when I NEED a 'professional' to keep it under control.  Here are two of the experiences.  1.  At "Together" Salon.  This hairdresser (guy) boasts a lot because a lot of us foreigners come to his shop for a hair cut.  I stopped going to this establishment because I didn't feel quite "together" with the owner.  One day, I came in wearing a Fedora.  It was summer, I was protecting my precious face from being exposed to the heat.  After finalizing a customer's hair, he welcomed me to the chair.  I took out my hat as I walked over and ruffled my swe...

I don't need to wander all the way to BKK for some fun fun fun.  Muak Lek has its own entertainment to offer. We don't get road rage Bangkokians are subjected to!  We get moo-moo-cows putting up a show! The black one in front totally the BULL leader. Two of them actually bumped into the car and folded-in my side mirrors.  Now, this is my own version of Engrish . For some reason they forgot to mix in the salt with whatever makes the chips sour.  Hmm.  Claypot made out of crab? This is the best!  After using this fabric softener, you will want to make love to your own clothes! I totally need this if I'm gonna party-rock-anthem Muak Lek! Blinged to the max shufflin'

So many! Going Bananas Don't worry I ain't eating them bananas on my own.  I share the smaller ones with the birds.  There's a dead smallish tree in the backyard and we decorate it like a Christmas tree--Christmas Banana Tree?  And the birds will drop by and consume this tropical delicacy. 

Fridays are bad days for my semantics students.  The reason being the amount of time spent with me--four hours! The discussion this morning and afternoon was about Felicity Conditions, in relation to our discussion on Direct Speech Acts.  In brief FC looks at conditions which must transpire for the the DSA to be appropriately executed. It is somewhat similar to Truth Conditions, but FC only looks at what conditions have Truth Values. In the middle of my lecture, I candidly mentioned, "Our parents should all attend this lecture." Why? Because some of the things they say are infelicitous. For something to have FC, e.g., the speaker must know that the hearer has already performed the action.  But this is not the case for some older parents.  They repeatedly ask for confirmation for tasks which have long been completed.  Such as, "Have you made your bed?"  "Have you (you may fill in the blanks with whatever is appropriate).  In other words, the...