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This may be a bit early, but I figured what the heck...

If everything goes as scheduled, come June 2008, my second novel with the working title of Transgenesis: Bisikan Rimba (roughly translated as "Transgenesis: Whispering Woods) will be in bookstores nationwide. The sci-fi novel is currently in the final stages of editing and as soon as I get to see the cover, I'll put it up in this blog for all to view.

I hope that when this novel comes out, it will be well-received by the readers. And if it does get a decent enough reception by readers, rest assured that I already have a sequel in mind. [Actually, I plan to make Transgenesis a series chronicling the adventures of the main character - a special girl named "Flora"].

What's the story about? Well, I have given a teaser before. I am not at liberty to divulge the details as yet, but I will when the time is right.

So, stay tuned for further updates on this.

World Book and Copyright Day

While publicity on yesterday's Earth Day may be wide, many of us may not be aware that today has been designated as "World Book and Copyright Day" by UNESCO. Anyone who knows that today is World Book and Copyright Day please raise their hands!

As someone who is involved in publishing (directly and indirectly) since 1996, I think that this day is important in increasing the awareness of society on the importance of books and copyright issues. While many talked about piracy in the computing, music and film industries, many forgot that this same problem exists in the publishing industry. Plagiarism in publishing is a serious matter. By the way, let's remember that books are not just printed material, but may also include electronically-published material.

The only other thing that I'd like to emphasise is that we should make reading as our culture and not merely a hobby - for reading is food for the mind.

Let's enjoy reading!

Do our part

We live in a planet that is fragile. Whether we want to admit it or not, much damage has been done on this world that is our home. And already we can see its impacts - global warming, flash floods, landslides, etc.

We only have this planet to live on. Let us do our part in ensuring that no more damage is done to this blue gem that is Planet Earth. Remember that we borrow this planet from the future generation.

Happy Earth Day 2008 - and let's not just celebrate, but act on it as well. Each of us has a role to play in ensuring a better future for this planet of ours.

Feels like old times

It has been an interesting day today for me at the office. One of the trustees of the organisation I'm attached to came by. He is currently based in Brunei Darussalam as an advisor to the government there. He happened to be my former big boss at my former workplace. What is interesting is that, since Yayasan Ilmuwan started one of our consultancy projects on 1st February, we have started recruiting a number of staff. Three of the project team members recruited are in fact formerly attached to the same organisation which I was with previously.

So, when the old big boss came a-visiting, and the four of us are here, it really felt like a mini reunion. Amazingly, it really feels like old times at the old workplace.

[Health update: I have not had any migraine episode for the past three days, alhamdulillah].

Headthrob

It has almost become a daily ritual now. Every afternoon I would get migraine. It would start with what I would describe as a tremendous pressure building inside my skull, followed by intense pain on one side of the head. The pain may be on the right or left side of the head. But one thing for sure, you could see my throbbing veins popping up the skin on the side where the pain is.

I have been to the doctor twice already. And I have been prescribed a drug meant to ease my migraine. It does work, but I'd rather not take it as it makes my body shiver and causes my legs to cramp. I'm not sure if it's related, but my blood pressure these days has been pretty low.

I'm waiting to see if there is any improvement in the next few days. If the migraine persists, I may have to make an appointment to see my neurologist.

Temporary (health) glitch

I had wanted to update this, and my other blogs, earlier. There were many things that I wanted to update in the past week. Unfortunately, for the third time in six months, I was unwell again. I had a severe case of fever and migraine. In any case, my health is steadily improving. And hopefully, frequent updates will be forthcoming.

Cybercongestion

I have been an Internet user since 1996. I was one of the earliest Jaring dial-up subscribers. Then about two years ago, I switched to TMNet Prepaid dial-up service. At the office meanwhile, we use the Streamyx broadband service.

Recently, when my family moved to our new home, I was at a crossroad of sorts. Should I continue using narrowband dial-up Internet? Or should I now use broadband Internet connection? Or should I try out the new mobile broadband service? Until today, I haven't actually made up my mind.

Partly because my office just provided me with a mobile broadband modem which allows me to (theoretically speaking) be connected anywhere anytime. While this is indeed handy, I find that the connectivity of the mobile Internet device left a lot to be desired. I find that the Internet traffic at certain hours is horrendous. And it is virtually impossible for me to get online at home in the evenings.

I suppose we can draw similarities with highways. While highways can be very fast for road users, during peak hours however, the highways would still be crawling with traffic.

I think much still needs to be done with the country's infostructure. With the growing number of Internet users in Malaysia, the facilities must be improved in accordance to this trend. Otherwise people will be left with an awful taste in their mouths when it comes to Internet connection. We have heard people complaining about the traffic jams in the country, let's not wait till people start complaining about cybertraffic jams.

Managing geniuses

Aside from the local political issues, Malaysians seem to follow with great interest the story of Sufiah Yusof. Her success story was first told way back in 1998 - both here in Malaysia and the UK. But when her latest story was published on Sunday, many people were shocked. The shock was felt not only in Malaysia but also in the UK. Some of the common responses could be read here. Even her ex-husband who is now working in Saudi Arabia was shocked when the news reached him.

Sufiah - then and now

If this story is indeed true, then most definitely it's a sad fate that had befallen the one-time math prodigy. Whether we want to admit or not, a successful person is not necessarily the most intelligent or brilliant person. One may possess a high intellectual prowess, but intellectuality is only one dimension that makes up a person's complete self. The physical, psychological, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions should never be ignored. If any one of these dimensions are ignored, we would end up being an unstable or insecure person. One wonders what could have driven Sufiah to prostitution taking up the pseudonym Shilpa Lee?

Sometimes I worry when I read about young children with great academic abilities. Throughout the years, we have seen many of these child prodigies. When stories about their uniqueness come out, all are in awe - which is very much expected. Everyone applauds them. They are idolised by society. No doubt, all this is well and good.

But I have these questions to ask: Do we monitor their progress? More importantly, are the children's success being managed correctly? And the one million dollar question is, where are they now?

Oft-times I wondered whatever happened to the prodigies of yesteryears. I have heard many stories about the fate that has befallen them, with Sufiah's fate being the latest. I have always said to many people that, while it is good to score a string of A's in your SPM or A-Level or whatever, at the end of the day, these A's are just your ticket into universities. What is more important is your success at the university level. I have seen many who didn't do so well (read: didn't get a string of A's at the school level), but came out from university with flying colours. It would be a shame if the student who scored at the school level couldn't do as well at the tertiary level.

Success is not measured by how many A's you get on paper because the fact of the matter is that one needs not be a genius at the school level to be a true genius in life.

Sadly, I believe that we should shoulder part of the blame for our inability, or rather, failure to manage success stories such as our child prodigies.