Just Ask Why

Everyone is familiar with the five Ws and one H. Well, almost everyone.
His friend starts mumbling again; and all Nakamora has to do is listen and comment when appropriate. That is the basis of their friendship. So, he listens.
When I was small I was asked only one question by my father: why. Why this, why that, why not this, why not that. Yes, it is just one question, the same one, but different materials; and I have to answer or made up the answers. After all he wouldn't know as long as the answer seemed logical. The hard part of course is in knowing what is logical and what is not, and to follow through my previous answer. Sometimes I was trapped by my own answer when his follow-up question is combined with my previous answer, and it did not sound right.
Can you give an example, asked Nakamora.
Why is the sky blue? I can answer it is because of the reflection of the ocean. He would then asked, why is it red in the afternoon or morning when the ocean is not changing color? See what I mean? How would I answer that?
Hmm.. your father must have been using the Socratic method to teach you.
I don't know that. Perhaps your father learned of the method too.
Not likely, he said. My father is not the educated kind.
Then, he must have discovered that independently of Socrates.
Perhaps...

Receding Mist

Mornings used to give refreshing sights around the place. So as after raining. Looking through his window Nakamora can see mist hanging in the air, almost blanketing the top half of that little mountain, adding welcoming contrast to the greens around it. The clear sky looks happy too with the mist around. Nice paintings indeed; a lively one that comforts the eyes.
It did not take long before modern machinery, driven by modern men with capitalist instinct, tore down the painting. The mist is receding. Soon it would be gone altogether. It can no longer be at the place it used to hang around. Men has claimed it to be theirs.
The morning scenery is now something else. There is still contrast, but an irritating one. It is unfortunately a typical picture that can be seen anywhere in the country. The onslaught of development is painting the same picture everywhere. A picture painted not by needs, but by greed. He tried to place the need in men that lead to that destruction in Maslow's pyramid of needs, but failed. There must be some other motivators...

Do Not Give Up...

He must be a Pakistani. Where does he stay, how long has he been selling that, where does he get all the wares he is peddling around?
That guy, with the bags of local version of the potato chips, made of a mixture of flour and fish, must be local. That boy, going from table to table, with a receipt book in one hand and a laminated A4-size document on the other, must also be a local.
Almost every time when Nakamora is at the restaurant the Pakistani and the local potato chip guys are there doing their rounds. The boy, or some other boy doing the same kind of thing, is there only occasionally. Perhaps similar sights can be seen at other eating places too.
This particular night, however, Nakamora bought something from that Pakistani guy. Normally Nakamora only responded with a smile as the guy approaches his table with overtures inviting him to exchange his money with the goods. It has been like so for countless times; but the guy never gives up. It seems that to the guy, every time is the first time. Well, perseverance pays. If you do it often enough, there would be time when it pays off. After many trips, many encounters, the guy succeeded in making Nakamora parts with his money.

Have You Time to Spare?

Everyone has 24 hours daily, and we used it all. So, how is it that some of us have spare time? Nakamora asked himself, since he thought he hasn't got any.
Spare something means setting a portion of that something aside to be used in future, when the one we presently have is exhausted, expired, or rendered useless, like spare tires and spare parts. Can time be such a thing? But then, we can always re-define spare time. Expand the scope of definition of spare or change its context, can't we?
Doing something not because of necessity, but driven by interest or hobby, a digression from normal routine and chores, can be said to be doing something in spare time. Strolling in a garden near a lake, watching movies or dvds, listening to music, tendering potted plants, or watching fishes swimming back and forth in an aquarium are possibilities; and people do that.
One could be sitting on a bench, looking at other people spending their spare or leisure time and play around with a camera...

Night Shift...

The sight is much more clearer in life than in the photo. A lone watchman sits on a plastic chair, reading something, under a street lamp. That is one of the night-time jobs among several; and may be one of the most passive in terms of physical movements.

Nakamora wondered what is it that makes them stay awake? How do they finish the job? What are they thinking, as it appears that they have plenty of time for doing that, don't they miss the daytime activities when they have to make up for lost sleep at night? Nakamora wanted to ask a guard. Perhaps someday there's an opportunity to do, so in a tactful manner.

So, Where Are Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, and...

When there are so many streets bearing the same 'first' names it is hard not to notice them. That was what happened when Nakamora walked the streets of Hanoi Old Quarter. His mind could not helped but wonder, could all the 'Hang' in the histrory of Malacca back in Malaysia be related to the naming of these streets? Vietnam, after all is part of Indo-China.
Nakamora left the city for home with that questions playing in his head...Apparently, Nakamora is not the only one asking the same question. There are others too, for example who is Hang Tuah?

Tips on Crossing the Streets of Hanoi

The streets of Kuala Lumpur is hard to cross. Well, try the streets of Hanoi. Pedestrian bridge is not seen anywhere. Zebra crossings and traffic lights are frequently over-ruled by the motorcyclists, and the taxis too. By the way, Nakamora noticed that there are not many private cars around, most cars operate as taxis.

So, how do you cross a busy street in Hanoi; and most streets are busy. After observing the locals, Nakamora tried the same way. It worked, but only after some practices and with loads of confidence.

Just move across the street, do not stop, but vary walking speed appropriately so that both you and the motorist have space to move ahead. Eye-contact is essential, even momentarily, or even by the corner of the eye. The trick is make sure that the motorist notice you and acknowledge your presence. He/she would steer accordingly to avoid being in a collision course.

Walking along the streets of Hanoi is interesting too. The temperature is nice, around 24 degrees Celsius at this time of the year. If too tired, then just take a taxi. But beware, you could be taken for a ride. The taxi driver may choose the longest route or drive as slowly as possible or both to maximize the fare. The alternative is obvious - trudge along, drag the weary feet. That cost may be higher compared to paying extra.

A Mouse by the Windows

Context gives meaning to words. Every word has different meanings when used in different situations. Within the context there is the philosophy that the word represents. Thus, words are mere labels, if we can say it that way.
Context is also connected to culture, as words are manifestations of culture, to certain extent. So then, what are 'mouse' and 'windows?' What do they represent? They both refer to everyday 'objects' and IT 'objects'; but they hardly sound scientific and technical.
Is that a manifestation that IT has already became an everyday thing? or is it a manifestation that that particular culture has extended the use of its everyday words as technical terms, used worldwide. Is that a manifestation that using its own language in science and technology has somehow over the years makes common, mundane words become acceptable as a technical term? May be so.
'Barn,' which is the unit of the cross-sectional area representing the 'probability' that neutrons would interact with a particular atom, also has its roots in everyday word. A barn, is an area the size of 10E-24 square centimeter.