Silver no more in Sharjah

Following to arrest of Men who are sporting long hair and short pants, Dubai’s cousin Emirates and more conformist rival SHARJAH (the place where I labor & live @present) had spewed the other day its militia of undercover police agent aka C.I.D. (Criminal Investigation Dept) in their newest task of clamping-down and impounding silver ornaments found in the wrist, ears, lip, neck and yeah, nose of its male occupants and visitors. This after being taken & lectured "inside”. Click here for some more shocking info..
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Weird as it sounds, the news of re-enforcing the old Islamic law had given the strong gender a lump in the throat. Thus, a non-fiction script was made by me, inspired by the rant of my fellow "in the name of free but risky journalism" Blogger in this part of the land.

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"Take out those Silver, man .. Its too Gay!"

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Me: sadeeq (friend), time to get rid of those metallic chain out of your neckline, otherwise the two of you will be apprehended by CID.

Khalid: No way!, My granny gave me this necklace as a gift and it mean so much to me.

Me: But authority’s science project says, silver necklaces and its kind are a gateway to homosexuality. I heared, it cost ‘em a whopping $2B/year to rehabilitate gays through education & hormonal injections.

Khalid: I am not a Gay, and I’m not a criminal! And I don’t think my granny gave this just to turn me into one.

Me: Fine. Just cloak your hippie-effects under your shirt while in Sharjah, and bring it out when you’re in Dubai or AbuDhabi.

***

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"It's Haram"....who says?
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Me: So you're an Asian, ...and an “ex-con”.. are you horrified?
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James: Yeah. I was seized without knowing WHY? The law's meant for Muslim male or not, young and old.

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Me: So you’re telling me you’re ignorant of this existing 8 years decency law?.
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James: Are’nt they'r blind as a bat?, Straight guys w/ heavy silver are rampant in the streets. Teen-age boys are even prancing with it. Nobody has ever told me wearing it is haram!. (bad).
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Me: So are you questioning Sharjah’ s ala-Saudi style of veiled practice?
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James: At least public awareness is a must, prior to catching.
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Me: And the point of origin must as well inform the newbies of specifics, yeah?
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James: I wondered too, why they are seemed lenient here with Queer men in kandura (long white robe) wearing eyeliner & foundation, but not with men wearing silvers. Insanity & hypocricy at it's best. I'll go for gold next time.
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****

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Perhaps, this is the "Be Roman while in Rome” cliche is all about w/c I rephase to "Be Sharjaites while in Sharjah”. Now I think of living-back in the open, but more chaotic city of Dubai - or better live this baffling country for good. :D
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BUT WAIT...

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Aren't the "catching-department" missed the glittering fact - that the Shiekdom's Biggest and Oldest Gold & Silver Souq (market) stood strong in Sharjah, indeed a thriving industry for decades now - and have been a famous landmark and tourist attraction in the region? Ditto, Isnt it ironic, the male species can actually buy those Silvers here, but can't wear it here?

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....my big mouth's JUST ASKING.

Harry Potter and the Half-Slept Audience

J.K. Rowling, the famous Brit Novelist behind the phenomenal Harry Potter series ensnared the world once more via her top-selling 6th book turned movie "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", stars U.K's richest teenboy Daniel RadCliffe. As projected, the latest installment akin to its predecessors, had ruled and raked money in the Box office.

But I Guess not after reading this, or after you watching it,….

Been ages since I last critic or bombard a giant film. I was kind of wheelchair-bound in doing so for no apparent reason. Albeit the fact I’d spent an exorbitant amount of moolah (in pesos, dollars & dirhams) - more than enough to buy hundred kilos of NFA rice for my family’s family - just to freaking amuse or to forget myself at least for a day there in the company of big screen.

But not making me or my friends sleep and snore inside,…

Much as my riveting Title for the same had spoken loudly for itself, I find it “timeworthy” to surface from my usual hibernation and reunite myself anew in doing what other fellow blogers are very good, [and like me] are very bad in doing - Movie Review. Heck, I need to eschew now from throwing too many flowery words to heighten the movie’s creepy beckon on one’s dying wallet. So for those of you who’d ear-on its by-mouth review, you know what I mean. While for those of you who had seen it on the silver screen, you knew you’d just, - ugh, drained-down your hard-earned bucks in w/c you better save during this cost-cutting times.

But Harry and the Half-Blood Prince not all dark, bad and bland,….

I am armoring myself now from the ire of Harry’s legion of delirious Fans who would die for his and his cohort’s broomsticks and magical wands. The movie, san the countless snore-inducing epilogue, could however fill your eyes in those stunning special effects, such as the 'Death Eaters' pocking the gray skies. I cant help but marvell as well the breathtaking medieval-theme settings and props. Saved likewise by the veteran artist of yesteryears, led by the wizzard boy's Nemesis No. 1, the EvilLord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) who became more notorious in his signature wig hair (rebonded i suppose) and the granny stage actor who just came out of the closet, the great Prof Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) who was massacred by the former with the helping hand of skeletal Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) - Harry's Nemesis No. 2. The other bunch of young English Actors also did their role well as Teenagers possessed with magic, potion, and raging hormones. Evidently, the teenage sorcerers grew up very fast - smarter, riper, stronger, but not the same CUTE kiddoe's anymore.

But then again,

Seeing Harry and Hermione’s (Emma Watson) BestFriend RON (Rupert Grint) “unfriendly” countenance on-screen triggers the audience to nap all the more as if they are inside their own house. Ron's "under-the-dosage" facial expressions and big almond eyes is infecting, or to rephrase: annoying. Like a sleepy spell so hard to resist. Dang!, those snores and bended heads around me are pretty distracting. I should stay in the cinema's front seat next time. :D

Rating: 3 zzzsnoring stars.

"Nawawala" si Inshira

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Today, I received a FWDD Email Re: Tulong at Inpormasyon kung nasaan si Inshira. E-Mail's rundown, as follow..

“Tumawag po ang mga magulang ni Inshira Calauto sa SOS.org at Tulong Bayan para humingi ng Tulong. Ang kanila pong anak ay nawawala mula pa noong July 17. Ang dalagita ay estudyante ng IPSR. Kung natatandaan natin si Inshira ang nanalong Ms. OFW noong July 10.

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Huli sya nakontak nung hatinggabi ng Byernes sa bandang Mursalat. Pagakatapos nun, wala nang balita sa kanya. Kung sino po ang may alam, narinig, pagdududa kung nasaan si Inshira, pakibigay lamang po ang inpormasyon kay Jay Evora. – 050749-8743 o Peping Calauto – 0501652276 (magulang) . Kung maari lamang po, ipakalat ang panawagan na ito sa mga kapwa Pilipino. Ipagdasal natin sya na malayo sa kapahamakan. Ps: Tagalog ang ginamit na salita sa sulat na ito dahil sa sensitibong dahilan".

Critical and poignant as it sounds, the mail’s now jumping from one’s inbox to another. Knowing Pinoy's Bayanihan spirit in nature. Yet peering through its content, I spotted several loopholes. The fact it was tightly edited and cleverly worked-out, I smell something fishy. Is this another case of money sucking hoax on Internet?. (JUST ASKING). The highlighted ones are what seeped-into my nerves. Check it out before the mastermind of this suspected online crime would clone you in the image of the boy who cried wolf, or fleece you of something in the future.

Loopholes, Loopholes:

SOS.org or Science of Spirituality: the only source who got link . This SOS reminded me of Tom Cruise’ Scientology Cult of sort. Im not sure if the site’s merely promoting itself. Im sure, however, its irrelevant here.

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Tulong Bayan: never heard of the group’s backround or activities. No credible link even.

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IPSR School: never heard it likewise. Is it here in the UAE? I could count the number of Pinoy School here by my ten fingers. Why the heck it has no phone or website to coordinate w/?

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Mursalat: I wonder badly too if this area or street ever existed in the face of Seven Emirates, or is it in the Emirates?.

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Jay Evora & Peping Calauto's mobile: I've been frantically dialling their local numbers for 3 hours now. But they and their ghostly cellphone are dead as a nail. They must be on-guard 24/7, yeah?. Damn! No e-mail add. No fax no. Nothing to PM them in case the girl's sighted.

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At least the e-hoax, err..the e-mail’s intent for Pinoy readers Only. Good enough to shield our already tattered reputation abroad. But TO PRAY for something I doubted if true is insane. Im not exactly immune to the call and bargaining of pishing Scam. But for people like me who’d been duped once, or rather twice, it pay to become suspicious next time. What about blogging for these virtual Syndicates and Sharks? Really, they are overflowing on my list. "Parang bigas na umaapaw sa lalagyan, kailangang kalusin na". And nothing will gladden my heavy heart but to expose their ugly presence and modus to the world. This hooligans will see.

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Lest Inshara's "missing"-case is genuine, lets all hope the beautiful girl is OK. Lions and vultures are rampant everywhere and in best form to devour her. Sayang naman siya.
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Ps: I cant google search her name and the beauty-contest she'd won - It's freaking blocked. And before anonymous peeps would counter me back, THIS JUST AN OBSERVATION from someone's so pissed in E-Hoax. Im not saying this is one. FEEL FREE TO GIVE LIGHT.

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Speaking of missing, you maybe wondering where was my cute old template c/o Twinkle. After a year or so of exposing my ehem, cute photo in there, I decided to put it to rest,... for "a change". Thanks again to my friend's unique graphic talent and kindness, Naku di nya na ko gagawan ulit, hehe!.. A new AJ banner from you would be most welcome then.

Ours too, will come to pass…

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So a celebrity’s sudden or “unexpected” death breeds lot of buzz, huh’. WHY NOT?. In as much as the world’s semi-friendly media and its army of well-geared paparazzi feed us with tons of freaking updates and eyeball-grabbing images daily, their saga will last to reign amongst us, "like a fine wine which gets better as time passes".
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True enough. A major chunk of our time have been splurged in tailing the star’s footprints of successes and scandals. We were there in the course of their life and death, or rather in their life after death. Their metaphors are frozen alive in our memories. Enchanting and Immortal as ever. Their magic could moved us by a long shot, struck our chords in the drop of hat – and w/ no effort snatch the little, but so precious time out of our hands. Ironically, they're not even aware we exist.

Hey, Not Just the Stars,

So WHO and WHAT else devour our time, talents and energy.? What liabilities accounts our best assets? … Name it: Work, Worries?, TVs, DVD’s? Gossips, Gimmicks? Rumors, Humors? Check-out what’s eating you. Hence, If you’re hooked to at least one of ‘em, then I assume, your resources are misused; robbing yourself of personal gain, and placing behind your family’s moral welfare. Count-in the social circles - or what this irritating Pirate-themed Facebook says “MATEYS” you rub elbows with. Arrr!! How’s ye’ shipmates doin’!?...How’s their loot, I mean LIFE lately?!
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Guess, you mirror AJ @ Nite-time,…
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Upon hitting my pillow, a still-small voice would confront me with this guilt-triggering question: “How did I spent my day? How was your parents? sibs? better-half? foes? When was the last time you say Hi to an old friends, or Hello to an aging, dying relatives? Gossip your stories or pray a good prayer for them. Am I serving my life’s “sentence” or purpose well in this Planet?. Then another voice would reply, "Damn it AJ, you’re not!, much as you suspect they had snubbed and took you for granted!

Guess, those voices are my twin-conscience who sees me nowadays as a remote-controlled android, commanded and enslaved by life’s temporal pleasures and earthly concerns – i.e., this ancient curse called JOB, self-seeking illusions I mistaken for vision, the nonsense chattings (OK trippings and flirtings) with Martians or "walang magawa sa buhay na mga Tambays" of virtual space (you’re not the one Im referring to, don’t worry :D) among others.
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We maybe near, yet so far...

And if we are literally far, i suggest better be near while WE or THEY are still around. Life's fleeting. Everybodys’ changing. Time’s running. We knew it. So isnt it cool to Mellow, if not to dump for good those unhealthy craps and gray-hair giving vices and busyness?, and heart instead what matters most. Believe me you'll be especially remembered and followed like the stars.

Dang! its past 3 in the morning, Time out for this endtime preaching. Had a long day, ...a meaningful one though.

How’s yours?

Ma'as-salam Max

While the world said its tearful GOODBYE to the King of Pop, I said mine in Arabic to an Indian dude. (He too like MJ, will be sorely missed. But our parting time isn't tearful though, oh yeah, bec my bud's still alive and kicking! :D)

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So after seasons of battling homesickness doldrum, he had, w/ mixed emotions, packed his stuffs and stepped-out of the Arab ground. I gamble he went for the rightful pick– FAMILY. Possibly at this moment, they are busily unwinding together in restoring what was mislaid. Could be a casual dinner perhaps, a leisure stroll, or series of bedtime stories w/ kid’does. Whatsoever, all I could picture are eclectic grins on their faces whilst sipping the glory of divine times together. His attendance in the environs of his once deserted home, I claim, would fortify the body and spirit of the guy’s ailing Mom. Sure well, because Maximo’s presence on someone’s side is a source of blessing. Fond of making people special, his approach is as cool as cucumber and amity’s as good as gold because it knew no border.

My profound gratitude to you for having been my no. 1 fan-reader of my every WeBlogs when I started it on Friendster 3 yrs ago. Your then prejudiced remarks had stirred my sanity to post much as I could come hell or high water so as to earn you ear-clapping comments.:D Pronto, your extra wish is my command! – and man, here you are, modeling into my writing canvas; and though, I’ve been siesta-deprived, I remain energized while painting your “left-overs” with cool colors.

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Kudos for the unwavering compassion in you w/c accessed the depressed, my run-away-Kabayans-in-need, in particular. Ghee, I’l be missing your charity as well (lolz!). But hey, how could you be so bold & intrepid in disclosing your plot of mimicking my journalism style, ha?? You are unrivaled in your own remember so confession does belong to me, - I, point in fact, aspire to grab a slice of your unassuming nature that's far-more attention-grabbing.

(me, tita rox, daughter ai, couples nancy, rmel, bing & mel, max & jojo)

(top photo: Max w/ my 1 yr old niece Jen, 3 yrs old nephew Yom)

BTW, T.Y. for the Giordano Tees in this NY’s eve photo; And will I put behind your valor in tossing-down some pretty servings of Tequila w/o qualms?. You genuinely aim to celebrate the Red-Day with us. So from me and my then Pinoy housemates here in the Emirates, we say CHEERS to you & God Speed :)!