Children - to work or not?

I read in the papers that Malaysia is planning to impose a tax on all of its foreign workers.
Rm9 a month or Rm 100 a year for each worker.
Why? So that the government can do more to boost local youth employment.

In effect, foreign workers would be paying to lose their jobs.

Well, that sounds like it's the basis of a hugely popular edict.

In a bid to sound like a newspaper columnist, I shall expound my thoughts on why I think this may not work and what I believe could help instead.

Why this may not work:
1) People generally don't fancy paying anything, what more paying to end up jobless.
2) I dread to think what plan they would put into place. Funding the ever-successful Rakan Muda, perhaps? Job training?
3) Most of the jobs taken by foreign workers are menial - maids, mamak, janitor. We train our youths for that?

What could help instead:

As a jobless person, I feel qualified to say. I think, the best thing for youth unemployment would be to change the mindset of the youth.
Maybe i speak for myself, but as I was growing up, the last thing on my mind was getting a job. I've lived in UK and in Australia, I've known people who work as soon as they're 17, because it was natural to them.
What i knew was that my job in school was to study.
Come home from school? Tuition.
Free time? Piano class, sports, extra stuff that looks great on your CV.

I was under the impression that when families had kids that worked, it was like sweatshop workers. Or extreme poverty!
But noone mentioned anything about responsibility, contribution, motivation... all those things you supposedly get when you work.

vs.

Old-fashioned perceptions, maybe.

And noone also said that it helps to have experience when you are a jobless graduate.
Haha.. I don't deny that it's also me being fussy.

Anyhoo, I know lots of people think I'm a spoilt brat. The people who can talk about 'doing what I like' and question 'why you're living such a boring, ordinary life' generally are.
Cos i've never really struggled for anything in my life.

I'm sure people have some opinion on it:
Yeah, you private school spoilt kid; No, I felt the same way too (please?). Kids shouldn't have to work...
I'm willing to take any shot you have. Opinions more than welcome.

Cos KT just seems cooler than Katie...

It's KT Tunstall night in Singapore.

She looks so pretty in this picture! Scottish/Chinese+Irish hotness.
*drool* she and Paolo Nutini should have babies. =)

So near yet so far.
7 hours drive and noone to take the drive with.
Even Chary in Singapore has abandoned me. (where are you, dear? In HK living it up, i hope!)
Anyhoos, in tribute to the concert I am missing, this is why KT is such a great performer.

Yes, Kenny. I remember and I thank you for introducing her to me.

And here is a song that I really really like off her new album, Drastic Fantastic.

Hopeless - acoustic version

Just one more for the road, cos i think her voice is just so versatile. This is a fave pick-me-up song.

Under the Weather. Feels like a rainy day standing out in yellow wellies and a raincoat holding the hand of someone you love. =)

May the KT loving spread! And can I recommend her Acoustic Extravaganza album. Awesomeness in a teacup. =)

Easter Cheer

Because in my world adulterous bunnies are pink and blue and fluffy.
Joblessness is good for my creative side.

Sunburst Music Festness!

I've been a tad complacent in the last week (and with no excuse, i am still unemployed!) but that doesn't mean plenty has not been a-happening!
This post is nearly a week late and 'tis where i relate my brush with star - no, superstardom!
I noticed in the papers that the Sunburst Music fest was going to be in town and more importantly, a very sexy Mr. John Legend with it, and pre-empted my brother's surprise of tickets to the show! At RM 200 a piece, 'twas a very lovely surprise indeed...

So, deciding that since fabled Mr. Legend would only play at 10 pm and that my brother is a bit of an old fogey at this stage, we decided 12 hours of rocking was a little bit much. A good thing too because going late meant that we were not RAINED ON. (Ironically, the rain began as soon as rocker band Hujan* came on stage).

THE VENUE
So, after dinner we trooped over, parking at the extortion-rate PUBLIC parking at the science centre, walking past the very very creepy historical dinosaur garden (that can NOT be for children...) passing by the slightly disgruntled horses and Voila! Amidst the shining baubles of Tuborg light, we are in the giant field that is home to the first ever Sunburst Music Festival!


The rain was actually wonderful, making the weather a pleasant cooling temperature and admittedly, i had not hoped for much but was very impressed by the four large stages placed around the field, surrounding the oasis of a bar right in the centre.

i was very chuffed with the fact that this is a temporary bar.. but it looks so FUNKY.

Even in the open space, the acoustics were pretty darn good.

pretty pretty stage...

THE DRINK

The beer of the night - Tuborg. So i would swear by my Corona's and the Tassie trip made me a Boag's fan (right, Kai?) but I have to say, Tuborg is pretty darn drinkable. Light and not at all nastily bitter like the awful awful VB, it goes down really smooth and I was surprised to see that it's still full strength at 5%! So Carlsberg is not usually my beer of choice (oh my! Blasphemy of a Liverpool fan!) but, seeing as they sponsor my football club, let me touch Brandon Boyd and gave me a taste of paparazzi-dom, i'd probably be more inclined to the green bottle. But Tuborg over the normal Carlsberg stuff any day. (not really a fan of the bitter beers)

Perfect accompaniment to some great music

I feel a festival is only as great as it's amenities and there were PLENTY of loos on offer at the Sunburst fest. I, however, am a coward and I didn't venture close to them (except to take this picture). So was it worth holding all that beer in for 5 hours? Well, some rather reliable informants tell me a very loud and disgusting YES. Quantity? Check. Quality? Maybe next time...

Don't worry... is only pretending.

Despite my fears, there were no screaming mobs, no super rocker people pushing about and, all in all, a very civilised crowd. It seems the RM 200 price tag is enough to screen out the trashy crowd but enough to bring in a decent-sized one.

THE MUSIC
Enough descriptions, I sound like I'm selling the thing, on to the meaty stuff. I am a newly-inducted fan of The Roots. I was very very impressed and dancing away listening to the funky sounds of the large tuba-like instrument (it's got a weird name...) and the bass and in awe of the awesome jazz funk drummer. In fact, contemplating a return to the world of drumming. Anyhoos, beside the point.

Talk about funky cool. Big screens and great musicians. Poser sial

Just as jazz band Incognito are about to take the stage, I rush off to grab a Meet and Greet pass. Unexpected surprise (i would've dressed rockier, in retrospect), but I, a lucky me, was given the chance to bask in the hotness that is Incubus.
I know she doesn't read this, but if ever... SHA... I TOUCHED BRANDON BOYD.
the following is *gloat gloat gloat gloat*:

THE GLOAT

this is me going... what do i do now?

and then we shared a special moment... well, i think he said bye (good riddance)

Well, truth be told I was thinking of the bits of the John Legend concert i was missing at the time! To jumping up and down status.
Okay okay, so the meet and greet was sort of a wait for half an hour, meet for 5 minutes affair, but i still touched Incubus.

THE NAUGHTINESS
THEN, the real fun began! You see, there are levels of passes that get you different places. Meet and greet pass, gets you in the media tent. A green Paparazzi pass, gets you anywhere IN the media area. This also HAPPENS to include the area right in front of the stage.
Did i mention John Legend was on stage at the time?
Heehee... I want to be a celebrity blogger if it gets me Press passes.
John Legend literally 5 meters in front of me. *drool*
and his voice is GORGEOUS. hang on... he's gorgeous too.
Evidence:

THE LEGEND

such a poser....

John Legend out on a very sexy performance where a very lucky lady in the front audience (while I, dying to volunteer but trying to put on my cool Press person facade had to restrain from too much screaming) got to dance with his very sexy person. Haha.. slow dancing lagi. JEALOUS.

So, after that, I went for a much more chilled out session at the beer garden with my brother and friend. I have to admit the fact i could sit back and enjoy the music was very very nice. With a beer nonetheless. Ah. Such is Life.

I think noone really made it to the end of my long long music post. Tis not very interesting except

• i touched Brandon Boyd
• i snuck into the front of the stage
• i posed as paparazzi brazenly standing in front of security
• i was 5 metres away from John Legend
• the music fest was, in my eyes, a HUGE success and i'd go again!

Oh, and Brandon Boyd has a gorgeous voice and is a sexy man!

FURTHER SEXINESS

Aren't I right, Sha?

*for the very very very rare non-Malay readers, Hujan is rain in Malay.