AT THE SPEED OF NOOR

While commuting home on the LRT earlier, there were 2 men standing in front of me, animatedly talking to each other. They were so engrossed in their conversation that the man standing directly in front of me kept leaning back and came in close contact with me (even slightly touched me a few times). It probably wasn't intentional on his part, but it made me very uneasy so I kept inching back, but I couldn't go far because there was a pole behind me. Seeing me looking uncomfortable and casting glances at the two men, a man close to me spoke up and told the guys that I was behind them, which made them move further away. To everyone (especially those with more privillege) who step in to help those who are afraid/unable to speak up in these kinds of situations, from the bottom of my heart, keep being awesome. It's the least all of us could do to be better members of society, but not many would care enough to do it, so thank you.

After a talk session at Raw Art Space last night, I found myself around Pasar Seni after 11pm.  As I was waiting for a few people who were chatting by the sidewalk, I spotted a lady (whom I assume is homeless, because she had with her a small luggage and two worn-out plastic bags) telling off an old man who was lying down on a flattened cardboard in front of a nearby shop that was already closed. I thought she was harassing him because she sounded angry, but after a minute or so of being ignored by him, she raised her voice even louder until I overheard: "Jangan duduk sini! Nanti diorang datang untuk pemutihan, tahu!" (Don't stay here! They will come to 'cleanse' this area!) At first the man gave in (or maybe he was annoyed), as he slowly got up and started packing his things.  Seeing this, the lady walked away from him, towards my direction. He stopped midway and plomped back down on the cardboard after she left tho. I think she noticed that I overheard her inter...

I often feel that my art comes from a place of pain. But as I progress in my journey of healing, I wonder if that's just my trauma talking. The beautifully complex paintings visualising the artists' sadness and hopelessness. The tsunami of thoughts and feelings unfurled through poetry, evidence of a heavy mind and heart. The husky, raspy voice in songs I love, most likely caused by smoking habits of the singer. And so forth.

The Basics Title: Mayonaka no Waltz / Midnight Waltz / まよなかのワルツ Format: One Shot Release: 2017 Genres: Romance, Supernatural, Vampire, Dance, Josei Status: Finished Synopsis: A girl makes the acquaintance of a monstrous creature who believes himself to be quite human. Source: Anilist.co My Review This is a oneshot comic that is part of a collection of manga by Nagabe that features anthromorphic animals. I have to admit, this theme is not something I am used to reading, but it was suggested to me by my friend Nana (with a content warning), so I was intrigued. This was a short read, but it made me contemplate a lot on the idea of identity... as a human being who is uncomfortable in the skin they were born in, as someone who struggles with impostor syndrome, as someone who always feels out of place etc. I appreciate manga (or anything really) that hands me questions to reflect on and/or leads me to feel stuff, and this does both.  I wonder if I'll ever find answers to all the question...

I found out that Hyde was coming to Malaysia through a Facebook ad that I almost scrolled past. At first I thought it was a scam or that I'd misread the poster until I landed on the organiser's event page , saying that he indeed was coming to KL in May 2018. In fact, it was the only stop he would be making in South East Asia in 2018. No words could explain how gobsmacked I was, but needless to say I have never bought tickets to something so fast in my life lol.

I cosplayed as Hell Girl recently at a comic fest, and a girl (who was probably 14) came up to me all excited to ask if we could take a photo together with her phone.  When we tried to wefie she couldn't even take the picture because her hands were shaking, so I ended up helping her take it hehe. It was THE CUTEST THING. It's so nice to know you made someone happy by dressing as a character you+they love. 💕

If you're not disabled, you don't get to decide what's ableist. If you're from the majority/dominant ethnic group, you don't get to decide what's racist.  If you're not poor, you don't get to decide what's classist. And so on and so forth. Instead of (re)defining what is or isn't discriminatory when you're not on the receiving end of policies/events/sentiments that are harmful to your social group, it's best to share/signalboost the voices and ideas of people who ARE affected by them. Use your privilleges to help rather than suppress those who have been/are still being silenced/sidelined.