Click. Now.

Dr. Mahathir has posted his thoughts on his blog about the government's decision to revert the teaching of Maths and Science back to Bahasa Malaysia. If you want to show your support for retaining the current system, please go to his blog and vote in the poll. I'll be posting more on it when I have time.

Precipice

People were good at imagining hell, and some
they occupied while they were alive.
- Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum

*Insert Reassuring Shoulder Pat Here*

I'm not sure if anybody actually reads this blog besides the Turds and my cute French neighbour whom I'm totally not holding at gunpoint to get him to do so, but a quick note of assurance to all:

Radio Turd is not a one-hit wonder. It will be back. I'm currently putting together new ideas to make the next few editions more interesting, so please don't give up on our little musical island. Thanks!

Grief Counseling - EPIC FAIL.

I'm pretty sure I'm not in the minority when I say that it's utterly thoughtless, tactless and inconsiderate when someone is grieving over the recent loss of a loved one and your way of extending condolences consists of telling them: "Don't be so sad about it, okay?"

Yes, it is inevitable to become tongue-tied when reaching out to someone else's loss, especially if you haven't experienced it yourself. But honestly, telling him or her not to be sad over the death of a parent? A sibling? A spouse? Which grief-counselling-alert-ASAP planet are you from? This person did not lose a soft toy or an iPod or a book, all of which can be replaced and ergo repair any emotional damage that might have occurred.

If you don't know what to say, don't say anything at all. It's really that simple.

Der Einsame (The Lonely)

Der Einsame (The Lonely)
by Rainer Maria Rilke
Translation: Philipp Kellmeyer

Wie einer, der auf fremden Meeren fuhr,
so bin ich bei den ewig Einheimischen;
die vollen Tage stehn auf ihren Tischen,
mir aber ist die Ferne voll Figur.

In mein Gesicht reicht eine Welt herein,
die vielleicht unbewohnt ist wie ein Mond,
sie aber lassen kein Gefühl allein,
und alle ihre Worte sind bewohnt.

Die Dinge, die ich weither mit mir nahm,
sehn selten aus, gehalten an das Ihre -:
in ihrer großen Heimat sind sie Tiere,
hier halten sie den Atem an vor Scham.

***

Like someone who sailed distant seas
I am with the ever natives;
the full days standing on their tables,
but for me distance is full of shape.

In my face a world reaches in,
perhaps deserted like a moon,
but they leave no feeling alone,
and all their worlds are inhabited.

The things which I took with me
look rare compared to theirs -:
in their great home they are animals,
here they hold their breath in shame.

***

Artwork: Faraway by Joe Sorren