*commit no nuisance

It's OK everyone, the titles are back. And Roland, that is an expression indicative of my current state of mind, represented graphically through the juxtaposition of solidity (the road, the hidden, steely gaze) and fluidity (the ocean, the blur of movement in my leg). What is "with it?" Why Art is with it.

In case people were getting concerned, the images I sent are now unavailable, because my web shell has been shut down. Why? Because I was using the space for storage, made obvious by the number and size of the images I was holding there. No matter, I just need to resize the pics before putting them in a secret location, and linking to said location. I've got you Angelfire mofos right where I want you now. Mwah haha.

Do you find cigarettes for $2.50 a pack? Do motorcycles, or should that be motosikals, outnumber cars? Does every person you come across ask 'where you from?' or 'where you going?' Asia, that's where. I just read the travel advice of the Australian government and it made me laugh a little. For Malaysia it says "Australians in Malaysia should exercise a high degree of caution, particularly in commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners. We continue to receive reports that terrorist elements in the region are planning attacks.
Australians are advised to exercise particular care when travelling in the Malaysian state of Sabah, including coastal resorts and islands off the coast of Sabah, due to the threat of kidnapping posed by insurgents, criminals and terrorists from the southern Philippines.
Australians in Malaysia should avoid any large public rallies."
Apart from that, have a great trip. Now I understand the 'hate to say we told you so' attitude of my government, but what do they expect? That people aren't people elsewhere in the world. I wonder just how dangerous they think the world is. Judging my military strategy they are shitting themselves. But Australians aren't the Australian government, just as any other country's people are never truly represented by their government. It doesn't stop Howard and co. from congratulating them whenever another rigged election is won. But I'm getting way ahead of myself now. I better calm down, because I still have a four hour bus trip back to KL.
I'll be sure to avoid the bus station though, there may be insurgents loitering.

I just wrote a long-ish blog and my session expired and brought me back to a blank page. Pooey. Now I have to go.

However you spell it the meaning is the same. I'm here now, and such history. I've seen the oldest European building in SE Asia, I've seen the port and the old Portugese settlement. Yesterday in KL, Ibrahim and I went to the National History Museum where a lot of the emphasis was on Melacca as the building block of the Malaysian nation. At one time the Malays controlled both sides of the straits, including all of Sumatra. Then the Dutch came along, then the British wanted a piece, and then five hundred years later independence was returned. Today it is very touristy, but also seems contented with its place in history.

For all who care, I have arrived shaken but safely in the steamy Kuala Lumpur. Got to KL Sentral just before one in the morning and had no choice but to let someone find me a room, ending up in a double room (two double beds!) for the bargain price of RM70. At least he said it was a bargain. Now have a map of KL and dropped my bag for an exploration, but to tell the truth I just don't know where to start. I cried more yesterday than I have in the rest of my life. Now it's time to pull myself together and start sending back some kick-arse photos. Love to all.