I am trying to de-clutter, although I suspect it will take me forever to do it. However, for starters, I am clearing my shelves. Please go here if you are looking for reading material. If you’re not in the Klang Valley and still want any, let me know. If you’re outside Malaysia, let me know as well. Who knows, I might just drop by in the next 6 months.

A guy and a girl can be just friends, but at one point or another, they will fall for each other… maybe temporarily, maybe at the wrong time, maybe too late, or maybe forever.”

By Dave Matthews, which I found, here.

Kinda reminds me of Mike Gayle’s Brand New Friend.

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I am surrounded with books, I’ve read two since Monday and now into my third. Very nice.

That is essentially what Khaled Al Khamissi’s book Taxi all about.

I found it by chance last December and thought it’s very similar to a project I’m (supposedly) working on. It is similar, it’s just that for Al Khamissi the conversations – fictional as they were – took place in cabs in Cairo.

The version I bought was the English translation, and I think some stuff got lost in the process. Or maybe it’s because Cairo is unfamiliar to me and I do not understand the Egyptian ways of life that I didn’t get some of the topics brought up in the book. Still, I like the concept. While I can’t claim to be original with what I’m trying to do, I now know that someone else had done it, with relative success.

Yes, it’s another reminder to finish my project!

After a morning assignment which ended at noon, I took the rest of the day off to attend the launch of The Quintessential Man: The Story of Tan Sri Azizan Zainul Abidin in Putrajaya. That was the book I had worked on from mid-2005 for over a year.

It seems like a very long time ago. Indeed, two of the people interviewed had passed away – Tan Sri Basir Ismail and Datuk Siew Nim Chee – before they could see the end product.

The hall at Putrajaya Holding hq was full. The late Tan Sri’s family members of course, his close friends, associates from government and reps of all the corporations he was affliated to were there. Even Peter Sauber made a surprise appearance as Petronas, who helped with invitations, wasn’t expecting him to attend and had planned to mail his copy by the end of the week. Not surprising was the absence of Ananda Krishnan while Dr. M is unable to attend as he is away. It would’ve been very interesting if the latter had showed up as it was the current PM who officiated. Heh.

I forgot my handkerchief despite telling myself to bring it in the morning. I knew I’d end up in tears, and I did. I think the guy next to me noticed the wet kleenex in my hand but he wisely chose not to comment on it and offered his congratulations instead.

Puan Sri Noor Ainee was so gracious, thanking me for my work. She didn’t forget her hanky, I see her dabbing the corner of her eyes every now and then.

From the time Azam gave me my own copy, I have been looking forward to people’s response to the book. I didn’t write it, but was invoved in the process of producing it and saw how it evolved from bits of information into different chapters and lastly a coherent piece of writing now able to be scrutinised by anyone.

I’m happy the book is finally out but kinda sad as well. Does that make sense?

AA gave me my copy today. Signed, of course.

Too bad I did not checked the final draft before it went to print. The initial one did not contain the spelling mistake. Ah well. At least it’s there.

If you are like biographies, you should get a copy.