Thursday, May 13, 2010

Why can't I live my life like I want to?

It's been a long time since my last post here.. I have some complications with some people who claimed to be my "friend" but acting like assholes.. The one that I hate the most has to be the hypocrites.. pretending to care for others. I actually don't really care about them, I never think of them as my friend anymore but I never told them that.. I never did anything to clarify that they're less than anything that I care about. I let the doors open for them.. I can be cruel but for what? I will not gain anything from being cruel.. I can forgive but to forget about things like that is like I don't have any dignity. We learn from mistakes and certain occasion.. the events that we will remember the most is the ones that affected us emotionally or physically. We may call it trauma but what's the point of continuing this life when you don't learn from that? For example, you know a man who continuously borrow cash from others including you but never pay for it.. would you lend money to him again? Most will refuse and others will lend but with reasons.. but lets say that there's no reason whatsoever? Of course no one will lend any money to him again.. It's the way of living.. It's the way of growing.. We learn from that and we will be aware of things like that in the future. Same goes to that so-called friends of mine. They did something that hurt me a lot.. not once, not twice.. I always let the doors open for them and I always insist that they tell me everything thats bothering them.. related to me of course.. but their stupidity is just unbelievable!! Imagine this, I'm sitting in the living room playing with my laptop without bothering anyone.. and suddenly someone told me that I'm in a bad mood or I'm angry with some friend.. WTF!! I'm just minding my own business damn it!! I'm sitting quietly is a sign of anger to someone?? sign of bad mood?? well congratulation to whoever figure that out just by looking at me sitting down playing with my laptop.. you must but a psychic or something because I am angry, I am in a bad mood.. not while sitting down and minding my own business but after knowing the stupid accusation. I am nobody! Why bother figuring out what I'm thinking, what I'm feeling?? I'm not bothering you!!

The quality of friends I want is not the kind who wants to know everything about me.. because I'm not gonna marry my friends! The one who should know everything about me is my future wife.. Friends, I know you care.. but if you really think that you're doing a good thing as a friend, think again.. What do you want from me? I have nothing for you.. Why do you care about what I feel? .. and towards you?? please.. you're not that important to me.. Friends will be friends, I'm very picky when it comes to friends.. the one I kept close to me is the one that can understand me and I can understand them.. I love my old friends because I know they understand.. they don't bother much.. none of us does.. we live in reality.. we know it's useless to say anything when we're far from each other.. that's why whenever we meet, we always have a good time together.. When we're not together, we live our life the way we want it to. We don't alter each other's ambition and we do help each other occasionally .. we don't push each other. When you know your friend got a commitment, give them room.. especially when it's personal. If they really want your help, they will ask you to help. If they don't then don't butt in because if you do, you're jeopardizing the friendship you have. For me thats how friends should be.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

I Don't Care!!

Ever wonder why you are so interested in what others are trying to tell? See that? "TRYING"?? because they didn't tell you all of it.. Why care for crap like "I know that it's my fault for every damn unfortunate, heart breaking event that I experience but.." .. the existence of "BUT" in that confession indicates that you are not really admitting that you are WRONG!! That is why I always say "Why should I admit that I'm wrong? Taking all the blame? I don't think that I am wrong!!" .. hey yeah! that's EGO or call it what you want but at least I know I'm being true to myself.. I'm being myself truthfully .. why bother taking all the blame when you really don't think that it's your fault after all? Did you watch American Idol? Did you see how Simon judge the contestants? Did he cushioned his comments? If you didn't notice.. he did NOT! why? because he was being truthful.. and still is. What's the point of participating in a competition if you already think that you are good enough to be the next top idol or singer in that matter? What's the point of motivating yourself but expecting a hypocritical comments that aren't actually good and building? Everyone got their own ways on how to motivate themselves or others. If you got scolded by a teacher because you didn't do your homework .. are you going to punch `em in the face? If you think you would then ask yourself this... "WHY?" .. what is the reason? Figure it out yourself.. I you can't find the answer then go and live in the forest.. I assure you that there's nobody there to scold you even if you pee in your pants.
Lets discuss this EGO. For me ego is not a bad thing or a good thing. It's neutral. It depends on how you apply it in your life. You want to use that ego to show off? Fine.. If people like it, then congratulation.. if they don't.. ready yourself a mask so you can disguise yourself while slowly running away from them.. what is ego actually?? According to...

Your Dictionary :
1) the self; the individual as self-aware
2)a. egotism; conceit
b. self-esteem; self-respect

and Answers :
The self, especially as distinct from the world and other selves.
In psychoanalysis, the division of the psyche that is conscious, most immediately controls thought and behavior, and is most in touch with external reality.
An exaggerated sense of self-importance; conceit.
Appropriate pride in oneself; self-esteem.

The definition from this 2 website are quite similar. You can see that the word "sense" and "self-esteem" is there.. So what do you think? Ego is a bad thing or a good thing? Or like I said earlier, it's neutral.. You make the decision.. What ego got to do with all of this? Refer to the 1st "confession" included in the 1st phrase up there.. lets see.. with a "BUT" in that explanation I'm guessing that people who talk like that got a small amount of ego in them.. lets translate that to this.. they got low self-esteem in them.. not really but you can put it that way.. compare to people who can really talk about what their true feelings are without that guilty-but-not-really "BUT" confession got higher amount of ego.. translate that to "high self-esteem.. " once again.. not really but you can put it that way.. anyway, that's all for ego..

Before I lose my mind on this one... and forget what was it that I'm trying to tell here.. well, I'm just trying to make a point here.. IF YOU REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU THINK, DON'T CONTAMINATE YOUR CONFESSIONS OR EXPLANATION WITH EXCUSES AND "BUTS".. because I'm pretty sure that 99.999% of world population don't have psychic ability.. and I'm very sure that most will say "I DON'T CARE!!" Why? Here an example for you.. If I got my own family to look up to, why would I even wanna know you anymore if you keep doing things like that? It's annoying! No one wants to play trivia about your trivial minds..

P/S : I personally think that if people come up to me and say what they want to say without any of that excuses and "buts" crap... I'm definitely listening..

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sweet dreams: The right foods for a good night’s sleep.

"The day is coming when a single carrot, freshly observed, will set off a revolution." Paul Cezanne


Do you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep? You’re not alone.

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More than 100 million Americans of all ages regularly fail to get a good night’s sleep.
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More than 35 million Americans complain of chronic insomnia (poor sleep every night or most nights.)
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One in four Americans takes some kind of sleep medication.
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Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders are estimated to cost Americans over $100 billion annually in lost productivity, medical expenses, sick leave, and property and environmental damage (National Sleep Foundation).

What you eat affects how you sleep. One of the keys to a restful night’s sleep is to get your brain calmed rather than revved up. Some foods contribute to restful sleep; other foods keep you awake. Foods that help you sleep are tryptophan-containing foods.

Tryptophan (which is converted to an amino acid called L-tryptophan) is the raw material that the brain uses to build sleep-inducing substances (relaxing neurotransmitters) serotonin and melatonin. Adequate serotonin levels promote deep, restorative sleep. Eating carbohydrates with tryptophan-containing foods makes this calming amino acid more available to the brain. A high carbohydrate meal stimulates the release of insulin, which helps clear those amino acids that compete with tryptophan from the bloodstream, allowing more of this natural sleep-inducing amino acid to enter the brain and manufacture sleep-inducing substances. Eating a high-protein meal without accompanying carbohydrates may keep you awake, since protein-rich foods also contain the amino acid, tyrosine, which perks up the brain.

Foods for a good night’s sleep:
(Foods that are high in carbohydrates and calcium, and medium-to-low in protein are ideal for promoting sleep)

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Dairy products: cottage cheese, cheese, milk
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Soy products: soy milk, tofu, soybean nuts
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Honey
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Almonds
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Banana
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Seafood
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Meats
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Poultry
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Whole grains
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Beans
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Rice
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Oatmeal
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Hummus
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Lentils
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Turkey
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Hazelnuts
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Peanuts
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Avocado
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Eggs
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Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds
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Papaya
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Mushrooms
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Grapefruit

Sleep-inducing bedtime snacks
An all-carbohydrate snack, especially one high in junk sugars, is less likely to help you sleep. You’ll miss out on the sleep-inducing effects of tryptophan, and you may set off the roller-coaster effect of plummeting blood sugar followed by the release of stress hormones that will keep you awake.

The best bedtime snack is one that has both complex carbohydrates and protein, and some calcium. Calcium helps the brain use the tryptophan to manufacture melatonin. That’s why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are one of the top sleep-inducing foods.

For a good night’s sleep try:

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a glass of warm milk with honey is one of the oldest and best remedies for insomnia
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whole-grain cereal with milk
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hazelnuts and tofu
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peanut butter sandwich
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slice of whole wheat toast topped with a small slice of low-fat cheese
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banana with 1 teaspoon of peanut butter
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rice cake topped with a slice turkey breast

Note: It takes around one hour for the tryptophan in the foods to reach the brain, so don’t wait until right before bedtime to have your snack.

Foods that can interfere with sleep:
Some components of food, such as caffeine, artificially wake us up, so it makes no sense to have stimulant-containing foods before bed. Unfortunately, this applies not only to coffee, but to all caffeine-containing foods, and to theophylline-containing foods (like black tea) as well. Chocolate and many soft drinks (including diet soft drinks) have substantial amounts of caffeine. An ounce of chocolate can contain 10-60 mg of caffeine, and a soft drink will usually fall into this same range. Brewed coffee can have over 100 mg per cup, depending on the grind and brewing time. Eliminating these foods from your evening meal routine is recommended for improved sleep.

Other foods to avoid:

* Alcohol and nicotine. Do not use alcohol to help you fall asleep. Although alcohol may initially induce sleep, once it wears off, the sleep tends to be fragmented. Also, limit nicotine prior to bedtime, as it is a stimulant and will keep you up.
* Heavy meals less than three hours prior to bed. Meals loaded with calories and fat rev up active digestion and can often leave you feeling uncomfortably full or, even worse, cause heartburn or aggravate a hiatal hernia.
* Fatty or spicy foods
* Tomatoes
* Potatoes
* Salt
* Onions

*Do you have a natural remedy that helps you sleep better? We’d love to hear from you. Please write and share it with others.

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Sources: http://www.healthassist.net/conditions/food-sleep.shtml, http://www.sleepmedonline.com/res/stats.htm, http://www.sleepfoundation.org

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Easy Money.. Really?

It's quite disappointing to see that nowadays more and more people use Facebook as a medium to advertise their too good to be true easy money scheme. I'm not sure if it's real or not but I got friends who really put their effort inviting others to join them.. Well guys, heres my theory.. See the image? (Click to enlarge) That's one example of the system/scheme that they're trying to make people join.. With RM100 as 1 time payment, you could generate income every time you log in to Facebook. Well, It's obviously fake because who are they to tell you that you can generate income by just logging in? Even the webmaster himself didn't know that... Does he? Well, I'm not sure about that but so far the only website that I know doing that kind of stuff is Peoplestring. In Peoplestring you can choose whether to register as a free member or as an entrepreneur. They reward both in points.. I'm not sure how but it doesn't matter. Another thing is in Peoplestring there's no way you can make easy money.. you have to commit yourself logging in and out at least 4 times a day to gain 200 points (they just upgrade the system to work that way.. previously you can only gain 100 points per day.. 50 points per session.. 1 time per 12 hours.. now it's 1 time per 6 hours). Peoplestring is not the kind of web where you can generate quick income in a short period. Okay, enough with Peoplestring.. now I'm gonna tell y'all what I think about this "Log In Facebook and You Can Get RM100!" stuff.. Before that let me make it clear to you that this is MY OWN PERSONAL THEORY and it's got nothing to do with what anyone else or myself experienced before especially in this particular topic.. Well, first of all the title is misdirecting and blurry.. and when you join the group you will not get an accurate explanation for every question you have. Once you join the group, the admin might personally send a message to you regarding on how the system works.But before they elaborate more of that, they will try to convince you to pay them RM100 to start.. and you know what? the money goes into their own account.. If I am the one now given such instruction, I will definitely asks them why do they don't have a company account? When you choose to pay them RM100 without thinking about it hardly then you must prepare yourself as they have before.. What do I mean? After you pay them, their job is done.. I mean the person who introduce that to you.. his/her job is already done.. Why? His/her main reason is to make you pay RM100! Well, they do give you instruction on how you can generate that income.. and most probably you will find yourself finding others to join you because it's your job to find people now.. Thin about it.. the RM100 that you pay will go to their account.. Imagine 10 people paying the same person's account.. how much is that already? Exactly.. RM1000.. but the question is, how to maintain that income?? It's a 1 time payment.. If your answer is "just waiting for the income to generate itself" .. then say goodbye to the RM100 you initially pay for that system .. you'll never gonna get it back.. In the end you'll find yourself asking others to join you.. have you ever think about that? If you want to maintain that kind of income, you have to constantly invite people to join you.. Think about it.. What if nobody interested in that anymore? What would happen to you? And you find out that it's not really "Easy Money" to begin with.. What would you do to make people interested in that system/scheme? Stretching the truth or merely telling lies? If you ever get involved in such system/scheme.. you are my friend, officially punk'd!! Think about how relevant the system/scheme goes and what are the consequences.. Don't be blinded by the phrase "EASY MONEY" .. Even webmasters/web-builders doing the best they can to provide better services to their users/members/customers. Losing them means that they're losing the entrepreneurs, companies, brands, and anything related to business that requires advertisement.. you do know that you can earn money if people starts to advertise in your website don't you?
Anyway, that's my theory on how those system/scheme exactly work.. I'm not saying that my theory is accurate but at least you got the idea.. It may not be like that at all but that's what I think.. A little advice, if you have ideas or anything to share in the form of words, photos, videos, recipes, travel guides, art, creativity, tradition or anything... why don't you start a blog yourself? Maybe someone will think your blog is interesting and start spreading the word.. If your blog gets popular, I'm sure they will be numerous business opportunity coming to you.. And you might become one successful blogger or webmaster.. Just a suggestion :P

Friday, April 9, 2010

My List Of Good Singer/Bands..

Okay.. I suppose I should have list it down like 2 days ago but well.. I was busy doing something else.. =P . Anyway, here it is and please don't judge them as if you know them just by listening to their songs.. It's my list and it's up to me to like them or not.. I'm not asking you to like them.. I'm just telling y'all that I like them.. So if there's something you want to criticize.. DON'T!!

A Perfect Circle : A taste of alternative rock. Some of the lyrics might make you think that they're black metal alternatives but they're not. Not really.

Adam Lambert : The American Idol runner up.. which I think sounded much better than the winner.. No offense.. just my opinion. I've listened to Adam's album titled "For Your Entertainment" and I like it very much.

In Flames : One of my favorite metal band.. I've search for the most accurate genre and all I can find is Melodic Death Metal.. hmmm.. They might sound similar in all their songs but that's what the fans want isn't it? Remember when Metallica switch from fast metal or heavy fast metal or I'm not sure but metal thingy to a slower metal version? What happened then? Go figure out yourself.. =)

The Killers : Probably the only Indie band that sounded rather different from others and I'm liking it! I don't know about you though..

The Mars Volta : Well, according to Wikipedia The Mars Volta range of genres are Progressive Rock, Experimental Rock, Psychedelic Rock and Jazz Fusion?? Whatever they genres are, I like how they sound.. If you like something sounded like an experiment is going on, try listening to them..

Radiohead : Hmm.. Radiohead.. remember Creep? Do you still listen to it? I DO! Not just that.. songs like Fake Plastic Tree, You And What Army, No Surprise, Idioteque, Karma Police, bla bla bla...

Queen : Freddie Mercury.. that guy was very unique.. and Brian May.. you'll know when he plays guitar..

Between The Buried And Me : If you're looking for a slow rock ballad R&B pop kind of song, they're not it.. because they play Progressive Metal, Death Metal and Metalcore.. Yeah! But you could try to listen to their cover album The Anatomy Of.

Macy Gray : The 1st song that introduces me to Macy Gray is "I Try". Back then it was a big hit. But I didn't stop there! I listen to all her album to date and I'm pretty much liking it so far. Her unique voice add some spice to her song. Listen to her songs like Sweet Baby, I'm So Glad You're Here, Strange Behavior, Oblivion and look out for her new album.

Melody Gardot : Care for some vocal Jazz? Or maybe just Jazz? I discover Melody's music accidentally by switching channels on Astro. It's her song Baby I'm a Fool that captivate me for a moment and I decided to try and listen to the rest of her songs. For Jazz freaks out there, it's a great album to listen to. Her voice for me is quite amazing. And look for her story about her life. She's an inspiration.

This is just a small portion of my numerous, probably thousands of musicians that I listen to.. The reason why all the above come fist to mind is because currently I've been listening to them quite a lot.. Check out my facebook profile for more list of musician I listen to..

Thursday, April 8, 2010

April Fool?

The Origin of "April Fool"?


At least since March 1997 the following message continues to be spread around on Muslim mailing lists (see below), newsgroups, and web pages

The oldest version of it that I have found so far is displayed here (personal email addresses removed but otherwise exactly as received):




Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

Subject: don't be fooled by APRIL FOOL !
Date: 28 March 1997 06:35

----------------------------------------------------
Al Jum'a, 19 Dhul-Qa'dah 1417(ah) -- (28 Mar 1997 ce)
----------------------------------------------------

salaams,

The Fall of Granada, Spain and 1st April - APRIL FOOL

In Spain, after centuries of Muslim rule*, the Moors were
overwhelmed by the Christian Army. However, the Moors were
fortified in their homes. The Christian armies wanted to get rid
of the Muslims somehow. They told the Muslims that they could
leave their homes safely and could take only the necessary things
from their homes. They were told they could sail away in the
ships anchored on the quay side. The Muslims did wonder if this
ploy was a trick. The Muslims were requested to go to the quay
side to check the ships. They did so and were convinced. They
then made preparations to leave. The next day, 1st April, they
took their essential belongings and walked towards the quay side.

The Christians looted their homes and then set fire to them.
Before the Muslims got to the ships, the Christians had set fire
to the ships as well. The Christians then attacked the Muslims
and killed them all:

men, women and children. They then celebrated this carnage. This
then became a ritual that was celebrated every year and that has
been carried on until this day not only in Spain but in other
countries, too. The Muslims celebrate 1st April as well as
playing jokes on others on this day through sheer ignorance of
the story. We should bring out the facts of the story to all in
order to put a stop to the practice of celebrating this bloody
and shameful episode.

...


No sources at all have ever been provided for this accusation.

Comments:

April's fool was never a Christian festival whether in Spain or anywhere else. I dare say, no Muslim has ever found any other person celebrating "THIS event". We have to ask: Who exactly is celebrating "THIS bloody and shameful episode"? Obviously one cannot celebrate what one doesn't know. Reasons for feasts might possibly change over time, but each feast is celebrated by the participants for (their own) reasons that they are aware of and it can hardly be a celebration of something they are unaware of.

The entry from the Encyclopaedia Britannica (below) states that the custom of April Fool's Day goes back at least to Ancient Rome (before the advent of Islam) and that alone invalidates the malicious slander propagated by this story.

April Fools' Day

also called ALL FOOLS' Day, first day of April, named from the
custom of playing practical jokes or sending friends on fools'
errands on that date. Although it has been observed for centuries
in several countries, the origin of the custom is unknown. It
resembles other festivals, such as the Hilaria of ancient Rome
(March 25) and the Holi festival of India (ending March 31).
Its timing seems related to the vernal equinox (March 21),
when nature "fools" mankind with sudden changes in the weather.

On April Fools' Day all people are given an excuse to play the
fool. In France the fooled person is called poisson d'avril
("April fish"), but the origin of the name is unknown. In April
the cuckoo, emblem of simpletons, comes, so in Scotland the
victim is called gowk (cuckoo). The custom of playing April Fools'
jokes was taken to America by the British. It has continued to
be observed by children and adults and sometimes involves rather
elaborate hoaxes as well as merely simple jokes.

"April Fools' Day" Encyclopædia Britannica Online


Other web sites with comments and theories on "April Fool's" origins are:

Most Muslims who are forwarding this accusation are probably only gullible and not malicious. However, it seems to confirm their own prejudices or else it wouldn't be so easily believed by many and then passed on. But the first person to make it up can hardly be anything else than an intentional liar with the purpose of inciting religious hatred. However, everyone who spreads this story is responsible for the increase of unjustified hostility from Muslims to Christians.

Further Muslim web pages with a different theory, but still blaming Jews and Christians with the invention of this custom:

Further discussion, in particular an atheist claiming that a Christian invented these cruelties of Christians against Muslims, which is about as likely as Muslims inventing and spreading stories of Muslims torturing Christians to make Christians more impressed with the qualities of Islam. But if your greatest goal in life is wanting to blame others, such are the theories you will come up with:

Source :: Answering Islam

P/S : I did the research on this because a few days ago there's a mail sent to me and the content is very similar to the first story claimed to be the true origin of April Fool's day.. And after reading it, I confidently tell my cousin about it and he says that there are many version of the April Fool's origin and it's hard to know which one is accurate. This may not be that accurate but at least I think it's relieving to find out that the first story is not real.

Song of choices?

It's a fact that everyone listens to music.. yeah well of course.. but why does some people claimed that they are loyal to one kind genre? Are they really what they claim to be? oh.. that sounded wrong.. anyway what I'm trying to say here if you are a slave to one genre, let say Hip Hop R&B... then why do you sing pop songs in karaoke lounges? huh??? Why say you are a Metal slave listening to only the likes of Slayer, Metallica but end up singing She's the one by Robbie Williams? Admit that you are no slave for any genre.. yeah, maybe you like the genre very much but doesn't mean you should enslave yourself to it.. Why don't you put it this way.. Yeah you like Metal very much, but you also like Jazz, Pop, R&B, Alternative, Rock but not as mush as you like Metal.. And admit it that way so people won't get confused.. If you are afraid of people calling you a poser, then don't wear accordingly ... I mean not all the time.. By the way, who cares what people call you? You know who you are and what you like.. and you know it's never your intention to be a poser and you know it's useless to explain to people who don't want to accept what you say.. you should be proud to express yourself in a way you are most comfortable with and you should be satisfied with your truthfulness.. If that doesn't convince you enough then how about this.. would you like to be addressed as a Poser or a Hypocrite? Well, I know if possible you don't want both but which would make you fell less uncomfortable? And hey, if your friends start calling you a poser, let them .. just keep quiet.. don't argue with them.. if they can't accept you for who you are, so be it.. find another that will fit with your personality.. Just remember that friends will be just friends.. whats most important to you is your family.. keep them close.. cause if you lose them... well, you don't want to lose them.. damn, what am I typing here?? My intention to start this topic is to share with y'all some singers or bands that I think is good in their genre.. pay close attention to "in their genre" and don't go telling me Backstreet Boys is better than Weezer!! because thats just off!! So OFF!! They are not even in the same genre!! Why bother comparing? That's what people in youtube do nowadays.. always comparing.. never think of how logic the comparison is.. I think I'm out of the topic already.. well, since this one is too long, I decide to give y'all the list in the next post.. sigh~