Merdeka Celebrations

An air of festivity hangs in the air here in Kuala Lumpur as today marks our 50th year of independence from the British. I had forgotten how fun it was to be in the city on the eve of a celebration and it really is: massive traffic jams in the city as people make their way to fireworks lookout points, restaurants and bars offering special promotions to bring in the revellers and everyone's anticipation -- as if it was the last night of their lives -- palpitating throughout the city in a made joyous rush.
I spent my night on the eve of Merdeka (translation: Independence) at a queer friendly music/ art bar that is just two minutes from my house. I knew that as I sat there watching groups of performers belting out tunes from decades past that I was content. It was a moment of epiphany for me when I realized how exciting it was to be home in a crowd filled with friends, artists, liberals and gays.
Three months have passed since I left DC for home and I'm happy knowing that this community that is full of talent and love is where I will be spending the forseeable future.

"If there are 1000 readers of 'Hamlet,' you will have 1000 interpretations"

A King Statue 'Made in China'?

That's 'Communist' China. I just don't see the point this guy is trying to make when he points out that the artist is from 'Communist China' and therefore not qualified to sculpt an American martyr's monument. Difference in political ideology or plain racism?

Blasé

I am feeling generally indifferent about most things -- blogging, talking, emailing -- and I think it's caused by the months of inactivity and indiscipline. This will soon end, I suppose, when I start work in a week at a bank here in KL. Until then, here is some "ehhh, whatever" for you.

Of Pigs and Buffaloes

Brian wants me to publicize this gem that he found on the AP wire.

Bigamist ordered to give pig and buffalo

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- A Malaysian villager who took a second wife
has been ordered by a court to compensate his first wife and their children
with a buffalo and a pig, an official said Wednesday.

The Native Court in Penampang district on Borneo island annulled the man's
10-year marriage to his first wife and granted her custody of their three
children Tuesday, said District Native Court Chief Innocent Makajil, who
presided over the panel deciding the case.

"It is a symbolic punishment because he violated his people's customs by
marrying more than once," Makajil said by telephone.

The identities of the couple are not being revealed due to a request by the
wife, Makajil said.

The man, a self-employed 30 year old, is from Borneo's Kadazan-Dusun
indigenous community. His second wife, whom he married earlier this year, is
a Muslim, and he converted from Christianity to Islam, Makajil said.

Polygamy is rare within the group, he added.

Go MoCo!

Awww, I miss Bethesda and its earnest liberalness.

Lessons on Homosexuality Move Into the Classroom (NYTimes)

The past two weeks...

....have been great. I remember the anticipation I had riding on the MRT to the airport in the middle of the night giddy with excitement and then finally seeing Brian walk through the arrival gate, my suitcases in tow. We explored, ate and bitched our way through a three nation cultural and gastronomic tour in 14 days flat and avoided the tearful spats and over dramatic apologies we were so used to back in DC.
Brian was a great sport and my family marvelled at his willingness to try the various spicy, smelly, sour and sweet cuisines of the region. I learned as much from his trip here as he probably did, visiting sights in Penang that I took for granted on previous trips to the island. Of course it was nice to have an ever available lunch buddy and we sampled food from a few restaurants I had been meaning to try but never knew who to go with. We had foot massages and hair cuts but stopped short of the manicures and aromatherapy massages. I took pictures of him with famous landmarks in the background for his benefit and for my memories. He met my friends and family and they got along well. We went to the gym.
I would like to think that Brian enjoyed himself despite a few tense moments. I'd also like to think that like the sunburn on my shoulders that is just beginning to heal, we are both trying to get used to not having each other around for a hug or a kiss, an understanding ear or a voice of opinion and most importantly a professional critic of hot men.

Photos

Photos from Brian's vacation in Asia are up in the Photo Album. Check them out!