What happens when we all come together?

We've seen people do it for Egypt, for Haiti, for Japan tsunami.  We've seen how people can do good out of social media and we will see how it can be done to bring an international war criminal to justice, even though we may have never heard of Uganda.  Because when people come together, there is power.  This is one campaign that... shouldn't even be called a campaign.  The word campaign seems such a small narrow idea that simply cannot hold the greatness of such cause.  It's a social movement.  A movement that aims to bring a tsunami of hope that would change the world.  God, we have hope.

So let us pledge yours and my support and stop Kony's hideous war crime and let live the children that he has abducted and held captive.  If you really think about it, seriously, we can do anything.  But the most important thing is, we chose to do good.


KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

The Yehudi Menuhin Music Course for Malaysian Music Proteges.

Last night, our favourite client invited us to an evening of classical repertoire by the extremely talented pianist Bobby Chen who serenaded us with compositions by Beethoven, Prokofiev, Chopin and Schubert.

I've always loved Classical music because I've always loved all cultural products from the classical and Renaissance period - the music, the architecture, the art, the thinkers. Although I'm a fan, admittedly I should be more hardworking when it comes to studying music and composers from this period. I sometimes fall asleep :)

But anyway, my point is. Bobby Chen is one of the most un-famous famous Malaysian pianist in the world. Why so? Because he is famous. But not so in Malaysia. To be honest, I've never heard of his name before last night. Well, you can't blame me because he's been living abroad since 11. At 8, I don't know him yet.

I thought to myself: Another great Malaysian, got away from this country. What pity. But little did I know that Bobby Chen was working on a project called the Yehudi Menuhin Music course for Malaysian Music Proteges. This course aims to create an environment whereby talented local piano students can benefit from world class musical teaching, lectures and concerts so that they can come home and inspire their peer to pursue their music inclination and fight tooth and nail for their passion. Yea, I agree with Bobby. It's sad that so many of us 'let go' once we reached a certain age. We stop our Karate classes, we stop our ballet lessons, we stop our piano practices because we've stopped going to lower secondary school. Or high school. Or primary school. Because we've stopped school. Sigh. Imagine all the talents we lost just because learning a new skill was a parent's wish and less of a personal desire. Then why bother?

So what I absolutely love about this project of Mr. Chen is even though he is so faraway, he is doing something he can for the future generation of our nation. I think that is highly commendable and hopefully it will inspire many other overseas Malaysians to do the same. I've stopped asking people to come back because I am seriously feeling the crap of our government right now. I don't know which is worse - we're becoming more intelligent or the government is deteriorating with age. But it's just an awesome effort to do what one can to help our little ones. People ask me whether I get tired talking about this like a broken record. Well, I tell them back, do you get tired of eating? Or sleeping? Or breathing? Do you get tired of doing something you know it's absolutely necessary for growth? So the answer is, no I'm not tired and I will continue to lobby until the government topples! Okay, or change :)

Now, if only this course wasn't meant only for the highly fortunate few. Music can turn misery into joy if only everyone and I mean everyone is given an equal chance...

Browser for the better: Microsoft's attempt to feed America?

Text in white box says:
"For every download of Windows Internet Explorer 8 from this site, we will donate 8 meals to Feeding America to help accelerate an end in hunger in this country. Internet Explorer 8 is completely free and comes with exciting new features including Accelerators, Web Slices and In-Private Browsing. To learn more about Internet Explorer 8, click here."

While it is a very commendable action taken by Microsoft, but I've got a question with regards to the positioning of the Microsoft brand in this 'seemingly' noble and innocent cause. When I read it. The first thing that came to my mind, is how a noble intention can backfire and tarnish the brand. So you're Microsoft. You're big. And you can feed a lot a lot a lot of Americans anytime. For free (because you said Internet Explorer 8 IS downloadable for free). But you're not doing it. Because we're not downloading it. I can't help but carry this image of poor hungry Americans being held hostaged in my head. So whether THESE people got fed, depends on whether WE google with IE 8?! That's absurd!

While we're not saying that it's a bad idea. But I think the angle of communication could be better. We've talked so much about social business. Profitable social business with no unnecessary guilt trips. So yea, I do understand that downloading IE8s IS profitable business to Microsoft. But to hold people (hungry ones and internet users) as hostages? Hmm. Bad idea. Perhaps it could have been better, if the brand had 'partnered' users in a different way to feed America? Perhaps it could be as simple as, taking the first step to feed 10,000 hungry Americans EVERY DAY, and for every extra download, we'll donate more meals? Or prolong the feeding program? I just think it's a really bad idea to put a condition to doing charity. If there is a 'if you do this, then I'll do that' clause then it's not very charitable anymore is it? There is no such thing as conditional charity! You either do or do not. The 'bigger' person (in this case, is big ol' Microsoft) should just take the lead and make that change.

Well, you be the judge.

Be in social business.

Finally, finally, finally.



Do something good out of all the metals that will be won. Do something good out of all the power media holds. Do something good out of all the people communication can impact. Do something good.

Help spread the word.

Open Library Project.

As Sparks' initiative to promote sustainability (creatively), I've decided to open my personal library of reads.

How it works:

You'll find different genres of books that may be of interest to you. Some of these books are my precious keepsake (so please take good care of them), some are brilliant, some were presents, some were donated and etc. But whatever it is, feel free to let me know if you want to borrow any of them. Just email me and tell me which title(s) and we'll figure a way to get them to you. My apologies but I think at this moment, this project may be only relevant to those residing in Klang Valley (Malaysia). If it grows (somehow), we'll figure ways to improve the 'system'.
But please please please do NOT crease the books. Thanks.

I think the question on everyone's mind will be copyright issue? Hmm. While I don't think I've violated anything (would lending a book to a friend be considered as copyright violation? Or would this be considered as illegal distribution?), if at all, I think it helps people to make a wiser purchase. If they really enjoyed something, I'm sure they'll purchase it to keep. I'd rather think this as promoting 'efficient consumption'. Purchase only when you absolutely (friggin') got to have it. So, stop buying and start investing :)

Start browsing the library now.

Thanks dvrunner for the BIG shout out :)

Seriously did not expect such a big shout out from DVRunner. Told him to go hush hush about it. But I'm glad. Not because we got front page, glad because we're doing something for the bigger picture. And if you are reading this, and wish to pledge for his run (84km yo!), please feel free to do so without any obligation. We have pledged an amount irregardless if he finishes the run (maybe that's why we got the spotlight :P). Hope to see more people believing and participating.

Sparks runs with DVRunner.

Every business should have a cause. While I don't think 'running' is Sparks' cause per se but I think 'running for something' is. So, we'll be endorsing DVRunner and his big picture :)

Maybe I should learn how to run too. I'm using the word 'learn' because I don't think everyone has the stamina nor the endurance to run. Yea, we can all run away from something (which some of us do so well) but towards something? Hmm.