Oh Africa The Video - Akon feat Keri Hilson

Oh Africa is a song performed by Akon featuring Keri Hilson. The song is a charity single and possibly the official FIFA World Cup 2010 song, being released to benefit underprivileged youth in Haiti where loads of families have lost relatives through a devastating earthquake. The song was released as a digital download on 52nd Grammy Awards Night, January 31, 2010, along with the video. The Soweto Gospel Choir and young singers from many countries are also featured on the single. Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres make cameo appearances in the music video.

Oh Africa The Lyrics

[Akon]
I know that we have to take it to the goal ’cause everyone is depending on we
see we ain’t got nowhere to go but, it’s our destiny

[Keri Hilson]
we’re choosing nowhere, we’ll do what it takes to get to the top of the highest mountain
we’ll do anything, we got to prove ourselves ’cause we know

~~OH AFRICA~~

[Akon]
see we’ll never be able to forget this day ’cause it’s the greatest day of our life
see no matter what happens at least we can say "we came, we saw, we tried"

[Keri Hilson]
we’re choosing nowhere, we’ll do what it takes to get to the top of the highest mountain
we’ll do anything, we got to prove ourselves ’cause we know

~~OH AFRICA~~
[Akon & Keri Hilson]
This our time to show, our time to fly, our time to be inside the sky
our time to so, our time of song
the last one in football

~Credit to Adel Ali~

The Lovely Bones The Movie

(This synopsis I got from wikipedia, if you watch the movie, some of the incidents is either cannot be understand clearly or has been sensored in Malaysian release). On December 6, 1973, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, Susie Salmon takes a shortcut, that she usually takes, home from her school. She is approached by a neighbor, George Harvey, a man in his mid-30s who lives alone and builds dollhouses for a living. He persuades her to enter an underground den he has recently built nearby. Once she enters, he rapes and murders her, dismembering her body and putting it in a safe. Susie's spirit flees toward her personal heaven.

The Salmon family at first refuses to accept that Susie has been killed, until Susie's elbow is found by a neighbor's dog. The police talk to Harvey, finding him odd but seeing no reason to suspect him. Jack, Susie's father, becomes suspicious and later begins to obsess about Harvey; Susie's sister Lindsey comes to share these suspicions. Jack, consumed with guilt over not having been able to protect his daughter, remains on extended leave from work and isolates himself at home, although he becomes very close with his son, Buckley, the youngest child, who tries to make sense of all this as he starts school.

One day late in the summer a detective named Len Fenerman comes to tell the Salmons that the police have exhausted all leads and are dropping the investigation. That night in his study, Jack looks out the window and sees a flashlight in the cornfield. Believing it to be Harvey returning to destroy evidence, he runs out to confront him with a baseball bat. It turns out to be Susie's best friend, Clarissa, and her boyfriend Brian. Brian and Jack struggle, and Brian hits Jack with the bat. As a result he has to have knee replacement surgery. In the wake of this, his wife Abigail begins having an affair with Fenerman, a widower.

Still suspicious, Lindsey sneaks into Harvey's house and finds and steals a drawing of the pit, but is forced to leave when Harvey returns prematurely. Sensing danger, Harvey leaves Lansdale as soon as possible and becomes a drifter. A year later the police bulldoze the cornfield and turn up a Coke bottle from the night of the murder with Harvey's and Susie's fingerprints, finally making him an official suspect. However, he remains at large. That fall, a hunter in Connecticut discovers the body of another one of Harvey's victims, and one of Susie's charms nearby. In 1981, a detective in Connecticut links the charm to Susie's murder and calls Fenerman. As they uncover further evidence, the police realize that Harvey is a serial killer who preys on young girls. At about the same time, Susie meets his other victims and sees into his traumatic childhood; she also realizes that he has, at various points, made failed attempts to stop killing.

The following winter Abigail leaves her husband, going to her father's old cabin in New Hampshire and then moving to California, taking a job at a winery. As a result, her eccentric mother, Grandma Lynn, moves into the Salmons' home to help her son-in-law care for Buckley and Lindsey.

Lindsey and her boyfriend Samuel Heckler become engaged, find an old house in the woods owned by a classmate's father, and decide to fix it up and live there. Sometime after the celebration, while arguing with Buckley, Jack suffers a heart attack. The emergency prompts Abigail to return from California, but the reunion is tempered by Buckley's lingering bitterness at her for having abandoned him and his father.

Meanwhile, Harvey returns to Norristown, which has become more developed. He explores his old neighborhood and notices the school is being expanded into the cornfield where he murdered Susie. He drives by the sinkhole where Susie's body rests, and where Ruth Connors and Ray Singh are standing. Ruth, an old classmate of Susie's who had felt Susie's spirit go past her after her murder, senses the women Harvey has killed and is overcome. Susie, looking down from heaven, is also overwhelmed with emotion and the two girls exchange positions. Susie, her spirit now in Ruth's body, connects with Ray, who had a crush on Susie in school, and had made plans to go out with her a few days before the murder. Ray senses Susie's presence, and takes advantage of the fact he has Susie back with him for the time being. The two go to the back room in Hal Heckler's (the older brother of Lindsey's boyfriend Samuel) bike shop and make love, as Susie had longed to do after witnessing her sister and Samuel. Afterward, Susie returns to heaven.

She moves on into the larger heaven, still watching earthbound events from time to time. She sees her sister's newborn baby girl, who is named Abigail Suzanne. One day she spies Harvey getting off a Greyhound bus at a diner in New Hampshire in early spring. Behind the diner he sees a young woman and attempts to speak to her, but she rebuffs him. Susie notices some large icicles hanging from the roof, and after the woman leaves, one falls and hits Harvey on the head, knocking him into a nearby ravine and ultimately killing him.

Susie closes the story by wishing the reader "a long and happy life".

Lakonan : ***
Plot : ****
Nilai Komersial : *** 1/2

Stuck With Each Other -Shontelle feat Akon

Layan ajer lagu ini sementara menunggu Single terbaru daripada Akon yang akan keluar tidak lama lagi....

(photo : credited to yahoo.com)

Latest News on Akon : Akon banned from Sri Lanka for Buddha statue video R&B singer denied entry to Sri Lanka after 'controversial' video featuring Buddha statue provokes violent protests in the capital. guardian.co.uk, Thursday 25 March 2010 10.30 GMT Article history Spot the statue ... Akon's video for Sexy Chick.

R&B star Akon has been refused a Sri Lankan visa after one of his music videos spurred violent protests in the nation's capital. The singer apologised to Sri Lankan Buddhists, saying he "never set out to offend or desecrate anyone's religion" with the video to Sexy Chick, which shows a raunchy pool party in front of a statue of the Buddha.

"I am a spiritual man, so I can understand why they are offended," Akon said. "But violence is never the answer and I am disheartened to hear about what happened in Sri Lanka."

Sexy Chick is not strictly speaking Akon's song – it was released by French producer David Guetta, with Akon as guest vocalist. Nor is the video a parade of sharply targeted blasphemies. Instead, it's the most banal kind of dance-music clip, with writhing bikini babes and terrible haircuts. Shot at a mansion in Ibiza, the Buddha statue scarcely figures at all, appearing in the corner of frames, out of focus, for mere instants (minutes 2:06 in youtube of the song). Akon claims that he was not aware the statue was even there.

Despite this, hundreds of people stormed the headquarters of Colombo's Maharaja television network on Monday, protesting a forthcoming gig by Akon. Demonstrators threw stones, with four workers injured and several cars smashed, according to the BBC. The Sri Lankan government subsequently denied the Senegalese-born singer's visa request, citing his "controversial video images, offensive song lyrics and strong protests coming from various cultural, religious groups and organisations in the country".

Akon's promoters have formally cancelled the 20 April concert, but say they are hoping to reschedule once the "situation [has been] resolved".

Majlis Resepsi Zizan Nin & Hani

Tahniah kepada Zizan dan Hani. Terima kasih sekali lagi kerana bersusah payanh menjemput saya dan Lisa untuk menghadiri Majlis Persadingan 'Taman Kota' Gilang Gemilang kalian berdua. Semoga pernikahan ini akan kekal sehingga ke hujung nyawa. meskipun kami tiba agak lewat tetapi kami sebenarnya tidak ketinggalan sebarang acara penting kerana majlis bermula agak lewat mungkin kerana kesesakan lalu lintas yang di hadapi oleh hampir kesemua jemputan. Dewan di bahagikan kepada dua bahagian, sebelah kiri untuk jemputan Zizan dan sebelah kanan bagi jemputan hani. Di sebelah Zizan kelihatan ramai juga selebriti yang datang seperti Tony Eusoff, Cheryl Samad, Corrie, Aqasha, Zamarul dll.

Selalunya jemputan akan berbicara tentang makanan, tema, bunga telur dan perjalanan majlis selepas menghadiri mana-mana resepsi. Begitu jugalah dengan saya. saya mulakan dengan Kad Jemputan - Cantik berseri dan nampak eksklusif dan mahal. Bunga telur - sungguh menarik dan tampak elegant (meskipun saya kurang meminati warna merah jambu). Hidangan - tidak begitu 'lavish'. Sekadar sedang elok. Perjalanan Majlis - Mungkin kerana bermula agak lewat maka kami telah di 'ambush' dengan 4 rangkap pantun sekaligus oleh pengacara majlis sebelum majlis menepung tawar dimulakan. Pantun-pantun ada yang menarik dan ada juga yang terlalu moden pembayangnya sehingga mencacatkan keaslian pantun itu sendiri. Ucapan Zizan & Hani - meskipun katanya 'inpromptu' tetapi teks sudah tersedia kan. Namun yang pasti dari nada suara kedua belah pihak saya percaya semuanya lahir dari hati yang bersyukur dengan pernikahan ini.

Akhir kata, Terima Kasih Zizan & Hani kerana sudi bergambar dengan kami meskipun ramai juga yang sedang beratur ketika itu... Harap-harap sukalah dengan hadiah kami ya...:)

Persediaan ke Taipei?

Little Taiwan adalah antara francais restoran yang lahir di Malaysia dan sedang berkembang pesat. Menghidangkan makanan dari Negara Taiwan yang telah diubahsuai untuk memenuhi citarasa rakyat Malaysia yang berbilang kaum dan sudah semestinya halal. Untuk minuman, Taiwan sebenarnya amat terkenal dengan 'bubble milk tea'nya. Tetapi kami cuma minum 'bubble red tea' dan 'jasmine honey tea'. Seperti makanan cina yang lain maka antara 'signiture dish' adalah berasaskan bihun, bebola daging dan sup. Kami juga memilih menu yang agak terkenal juga iaitu nasi kukus dengan 'minched chicken', telur rebus yang seakan-akan telur pindang, 'kim-chee' taiwan, taufu kicap dan sup bebola daging. Ini memang terapi awal sebelum ke Taiwan.

Saya dan Lisa, merasa hidangan-hidangan Taiwan ini di Little Taiwan, e@curve. Banyak lagi cawangan yang ada seperti di 1Utama, Pavillion dan juga Ampang. Boleh cuba..

21 & 27 Mac 2010 @ PBAKL

Pelancaran Novel/Antologi Puisi/Kumpulan Drama hasil karya Penerima Anugerah S.E.A. Writers 'Ustaz' Isa Kamari (Singapura) & 'Cikgu' Azizi Abdullah (Malaysia - orang kampung saya ni) serta Penerima Anugerah Seni Negara, Saudara Faisal Tehrani telah disempurnakan di Pentas Utama PBAKL 2010 pada 27 Mac 2010 yang baru-baru ini kira-kira jam 3 petang. Alhamdulillah saya telah berkesempatan untuk turut serta. 'Ustaz' Isa Kamari dengan tiga buah tangan. Dua adalah karya beliau yang telah diterjemahkan ke dalam Bahasa Inggeris iaitu 'Intercession' (Tasawwul) & 'Nadra' (Atas Nama Cinta) sementara sebuah lagi adalah kumpulan 3 buah drama berjudul 'Pintu'. Sementara 'Cikgu' Azizi Abdullah pula melancarkan novel 'Beruk'. Saudara Faisal Tehrani pula melancarkan 2 karya beliau iaitu novel 'Bahlut' dan 'Ingin Jadi Nasrallah' sebuah antologi puisi. Ini merupakan kunjungan kedua saya ke PBAKL 2010; kunjungan pertama untuk memborong buku telah selama disempurnakan pada 21 Mac 2010 yang lalu.

Perasan tak semua saterawan hebat ini berada di dalam gerak laku (gesture) yang sama iaitu menongkat/memegang dagu? Adakah ini persamaan atau kebeutulan?

Usai menandatangani novel yang dibeli oleh saya, Cikgu Azizi dan Ustaz Isa sudi merakam kenangan bersama saya. Tidak sempat berbual panjang dengan Cikgu Azizi sebenarnya, apatah lagi Ustaz Isa kerana mereka perlu bergegas ke Gerai Al-Ameen untuk sesi seterusnya. Yang menariknya sebelum itu, sempena mengambil 'berkat' Kempen Tulisan Jawi yang mengambil tempat di Pentas Utama, Cikgu Azizi telah menulis nota di dalam novel 'Beruk' saya dengan tulisan jawi - katanya 'saja-saja sebab dah lama tak tulis jawi'. Nasib baik saya boleh membcaca jawi. Sebaliknya pula, saya membeli novel terdahulu Ustaz Isa, 'Satu Bumi' yang belum saya miliki dan bukannnya ketika-tiga hasil beliau yang dilancarkan sebelum itu. Tasawwul & Atas Nama Cinta telah saya baca dan Drama pula bukan genre yang saya minati. 'Satu Bumi' yang telah diterbitkan tahun lalu nampak menarik !!!

Saya telah membeli IJN (Ingin Jadi Nasrallah) & Bahlut minggu lalu tetapi masih belum sempat membaca kerana masih bekerja keras untuk menghabiskan 9 Nyawa (RAM). Namun kali ini saya telah membawa dua novel terdahulu FT untuk ditandatangani; Ketupat Cinta (yang amat kontroversial itu) dan Karbala (yang sungguh berat dan tersirat itu), kedua-duanya telah sempat saya habiskan tahun lalu. Oik... Business baru ka FT? Jual t-shirt IJN & MK pulak?

Pada kunjungan 21 Mac 2010 yang lalu saya cuma sempat bertemu dengan seorang lagi penulis BEST SELLER dari tanah seberang iaitu Muhammad Alexander @Wisnu Sasongko yang amat masyhur dengan karya perdana beliau 'Yakjuj & Makjuj'. Tetapi saya membeli 'Alexander Adalah Zulqarnain' kali ini. Buku semi-ilmiah setebal 727 halaman ini diterbitkan di Malaysia oleh PTS. Entah bila saya dapat menyelak halam-halaman berharga ini?

Nota Jase : Saya juga sebenarnya ada bertemu dengan RAM (Ramlee Awang Murshid) yang juga melahirkan sebuah lagi thriller terbaru berjudul 'Cinta Sufi' yang merupakan 'spin off' daripada trilogi 'Bagaikan Putri' dengan hero yang sama iaitu Laksamana Sunan (Untuk rekod, 'Bagaikan Putri telah dinobatkan sebagai Novel Terlaris Alaf 21 - TAHNIAH RAM). Malangnya saya tidak dapat bergambar dengan Novelis Ayam Terlaris ini kerana terlalu ramai orang yang beratur di Dewan Tun Husein yang disewa khas oleh Kumpulan Karangkraf ini untuk mendapatkan tanda tangan beliau. Fuyoo !!! Apa yang pasti RAM semakin botak sekarang ini dan diberitakan sedang melancarkan Kelab Peminat RAM di PWTC sekarang.

Earth Hour - 27 March 2010

SATURDAY

27 MARCH 2010

8.30 PM - 9.30 PM

"SUPPORT EFFORTS TO RAISE AWARENESS

AND FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE"

"SWITCH OFF YOUR LIGHTS"