Aidilfitri 2026

Only the passing of Ramadan would make me reflect on life's hits & misses. Nothing else. Time & again, I would give thanks to the fact that I got the change to see many Ramadans after my cancer bout. This year, I am grateful that I am needed for 10 more weeks at work & offered a new contract to see this through.

Wishing all Muslim readers & friends a blessed Eid. Do make time for your loved ones & remember those who have departed before us. We are next in line.

Horse

Greetings everyone, the year of the Horse is upon us. Blessings & good health all round - huat ah!!

Come to think of it, every year is the year of the hoarse (in this country). People are slowly but surely getting trampled on by inflation, unaffordable housing (the authorities here now refers to this as attainable housing), immigrant influx & snobbish politicians among others. The economy is ailing but the government wants us to believe otherwise by announcing a budget surplus. Excess here does not translate into a good thing without considering other pertinent factors. Also, do note the pathetic performance of our SGD against the MYR which is a glaring indicator of economic asphyxiation. No offence to our Malaysian friends - we are still friends - just announcing the anxiety in this country which should be addressed (& fixed) but the authorities chose distraction instead. 

Oh well, the year turns regardless of the circumstances. We take care of ourselves first & foremost but don't blame us if we go after those who make our lives miserable. 

Ibanez 2026: S-Series

Every year, the S-Series releases were pale shadows of its RG counterparts. There's some respite this year as the new 2026 models are both Prestige offerings. If Ibanez deems the S-Series to be worthy considerations in their catalog, they should make a bold move in reviving some older guitars as Genesis models. The 540S would be a delicious consideration but it would mean going back to 22 frets which will affect the manufacturer's economies of scale, to say the least. 

Pics: Ibanez

2026

Best wishing to everyone for 2026. May this be better than the last.

I've since stopped looking forward to this so called renewal chapter due to persistent uncertainty. My life took a turn after the cancer happened & it's been predominantly inhibited by despair more than anything else. Someone told me this excessive pessimism is a choice - I choose to make myself miserable. Well I certainly did not choose to make the cancer happen & the way I see it, everything happens for a reason. I'm at the receiving end with very little authority to the narrative. I have learnt to just accept things as it unfolds along the way & be grateful because there are others out there with worse in hand. Don't complain. Accept & move on.