Lee Novotny

Another friend that I made on the Internet. While visiting to other blogs on my list of regular read blogs, I was directed to his blog which talk about his lifestyle and interests. I was quite surprised to find out that he is also a big fan of Ramlah Ram. Man, another Ramlah Ram fan in UK! I guess she's not a kampung singer then. Bad radio ERA, bad radio ERA!

An enthusiats of freedom of speech and human right, Lee Novotny, who is now living in Cambridge, loves cooking and travelling.

What is it like to be a Malaysian?
Unfortunately I am not a Malaysian anymore though Malaysia is still deep within me and miss Malaysia a lot!

What would be your perfect meal?
A dinner for two with Avang on the beach shore of any location in The Mediterranean – okay, preferably Italy or Greece.

What do you love most?
I love my freedom and my open mindedness as well as my most treasured 12 years old relationship.

What is your greatest disappointment?
I could not be the best son for the family. Oh well, I suppose you can’t please everyone can you?

How do you define gender equality?

Whatever you can do as long as not raising too much eyebrows if you know what I mean hehehehe.... ikutlah, kalau pompuan nak panjat pokok pun ikut dialah..tapi kalau lepas tuh gatal gatal, jangan salahkan lelaki pulak!

Which is more tiring: singing in the kitchen or in the bathroom? Why?
What is the point of this question?? Hahahahahha.. have you tried it yourself??? :P Ermmmm pass because I never sing in any of those places really – had to concentrate! :P

What is the most embarrassing thing you did in the past?
Accidentally took a lady’s account book thinking that my name has been called. Eventually I realised it’s not mine and handed back to the counter and eventually the right person took it...how stupid was that??? Such a dizzy blonde! :P

If you could meet someone from the past, who will it be? Why?
I know no one would belive this but it has to be our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Why? Because I need to ask him a lot of questions regarding the problems of today and how he would solve them.

Do you have any irrational fear?
I suppose.... only a little bit though. Always have fear that my loved ones are not safe when they are travelling..dunno why....

Which song you think shouldn't be composed? Why?
Any songs that glorifying terrorism, racial hatred, religious clashes or even the songs that telling us how good drugs & alcohol are – when in reality they are not!

What is your most annoying habit?
Don’t have any that’s why people likes to be friend with me (hah kekwat tak statement kiewww??? :P)

You are more akin to Tom Cruise or Madonna? Why?
Dunno..I adore Madonna and used to fancy Tom Cruise. Madonna I suppose cuz she’s such an inspirational to lots of people around the world.

How are you going to survive with RM1 in your pocket for a month?
Try to stay with my brother and other relatives hehehehe (maaaatilaaa parasite!)

What will you look like at the age of 100?
Absolutely bald but hopefully still have youthful look and still have that daya penarik power. Tu diah, kubur kata mari rumah kata pergi pun masih tak sadar diri oops!

Do you believe in love at the first sight? Why?
No I don’t because you have to get to know each other properly before you know that the person is the right person. So, sorry Kylie Minogue, your song “Love At First Sight” was totally bollox (though I love the song hehehehe)

What is your best achievement?
Got to won first Bloggers Idol in 2005 beating Imahlenggok and Leez (pioneers and sifu dalam dunia blogging).

Which person has most influenced you? Why?
Nobody influence me but if any, it’d have to be my partner of 12 years. It’s not so much the sense of influencing but it’s all about discussions, planning and takin g chances together.

What is the best part of Kuala Lumpur that you liked most?
The nightlife, the shopping malls, the KLCC. Not so much of traffic and the heat though. Oh did I mention the food that available anytime and anywhere???

Any comment on abortion?
Abortion should be made illegal whatever it takes. The baby itu kalau tak mahu pun, serahkanlah kepada pasangan yang mahu sebab there are lots of couples out there who want babies but can’t have one.

What will be your epitaph?
My epitaph would be “Here lies Lee a guy who simply enjoys life and freedom”.

Personal details

Name: Lee Novotny

DOB: 3 March 72

Email: b_leez@hotmail.com

Princess Reena

After a long "sleep", this blog returns with a new guest. She is one of the most "selamba" girls in the town and this cute, sexy, talkative, caring and cheerful lady is attached to one of the GLCs in Kuala Lumpur. I started to know her middle of this year through a friend. We clicked immediately and started to spend almost every weekend together. Allow me to present to you, the one and only, Princess Reena.


Why God send you here?
To torture other human being and to heal them afterwards.

What would be your perfect holiday?
Lazing at the beach wearing my hot black bikini and big sunglasses while checking out hot looking males.

What do you love most?
My freedom.

What is your greatest disappointment?
My tendency to procrastinate.

How do you define gender equality?
Being able to sleep around with no string attach and not to worry about not being a virgin on my first wedding nite ;p

Which is more tiring, singing in the kitchen or the bathroom? Why?
In the bathroom coz I have to sing louder against the shower to let others hear it.

What is the most embarrassing thing you did in the past?
Gosh, too many that I refuse to remember!

If you could meet some from the past, who'll it be?
Hang Tuah..

Do you have any irrational fear?
I think I’m pretty normal.. I fear what others feared.

Which film you think shouldn't be produced? Why?
Any movie by Yusof Haslam.. downright cheesy and predictable.

What is your most annoying habit?
Being sarcastic.

Who do you prefer to be your mentor?
Ungku Aziz.

How are you going to spend RM1,000,000 in one hour?
Ayooo, buying my louis vuitton bag would cost more than that..how? I’ll buy shoes and clothes, I guess..

What will you look like at the age of 100?
Dead and dry.

Do you believe in love at the first sight? Why?
Yes, becoz I’m a romantic person at heart.

What is your best achievement?
Being the highest salary earner amongst my two best friends after being the lowest for the longest time ever.

Which person has most influenced you? Why?
I think everyone around me plays a part in shaping my life and influence my judgment..

What is the best part of Malaysia that you liked most?
The Food..can’t help itla..me being an impulse eater.

Any comment on smoking?
Hate it but can’t seem to stop it.

Why people said Men from Mars and Women from Venus?
They just talking about the physical different.. or one being a bitch and the other being son of a bitch..


Personal Details
Name: Princess Reena
DOB: 14 November 1977
Email: ajezack@yahoo.com

Klang Valley Streets/Why I love... Petaling Jaya: Urban man's heaven

(This article was first published on The New Strait Times)
By: Francis Dass




An advertising man tells FRANCIS DASS what he likes about his neighbourhood.

Herman Mizar Azmi, 29, is fast making a name in the advertising and promotions world of shopping complexes in the Klang Valley. Currently employed as an A&P executive at the Hartamas Shopping Centre, this ebullient and jovial young man has become fast friends with many in the media in a short time thanks to his helpful and efficient nature. He is also on a rapid learning curve (he works alone in the A&P department after the manager in his department left) and he relishes every moment of it. Born and raised in Negri Sembilan, he now lives in Petaling Jaya.


Q: When did you first come to Petaling Jaya?
A: I have been living in PJ since 1997, when I was pursuing my studies as an undergraduate at University of Malaya. I used to visit my aunt and cousins in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, (from Negri Sembilan) as a child. I didn’t know about PJ then. I remember those days when I used to play with my cousins and visit the Times bookstore in City Square (Jalan Tun Razak).

Q: What’s your view of PJ, now that you have spent a decade there?
A: PJ has accessibility to everything that an urbanite needs. You have restaurants and cafes selling food and drinks, watch shops, clothing stores, supermarkets, a Starbucks coffee outlet, a gym — everything that you could think of, you can find it in PJ’s Section 14. I am an avid reader and there are plenty of bookshops here as well. If I am looking for any specific book titles, then I can also hop over to Amcorp Mall (Jalan Persiaran Barat).

Q: Favourite author?
A: Amy Tan. I like the way she portrays the conflict between traditional Chinese families and modern values.

Q: What are your observations of multiculturalism in Malaysia?
A: The thing I have observed is that when you live in a multicultural environment, you tend to take things for granted. I see the multiculturalism in the way people deal with food, for example: You see Chinese people here using their hands when eating banana-leaf-rice, and Malays who use chopsticks when eating noodles.

Q: I understand that you speak Mandarin fluently. Where did you learn it?
A: I studied at Chung Hua school, Kuala Pilah (in Negri Sembilan) for both my primary and secondary education. That’s why I can read and speak Mandarin.

Q: Any other observations of PJ?
A: I am a nature lover and I like the fact that PJ has got a few parks. We have Taman Jaya (at Jalan Persiaran Barat) and the Astaka (near the Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital).


Note from arenaKu: Unfortunately, we lost our interview with Herman Mizar Azmi in May 2004 due to the "sabotage" from PpCI.

Hasmirology: The Third Installment

After hibernating for slightly more than three years due to an unpleasant letter written by two ladies, guess what, this column is back! And no one is more appropriate to be our “first” guest to celebrate the rebirth of this column, than Hasmiron Hamdan. The only one to appear twice on tamu arenaKu.


tamu arenaKu: First of all, selamat hari jadi… selamat hari jadi… selamat hari jadi… selamat hari jadi!
Hasmiron Hamdan: Thank you, thank you. Thank you for reminding me that I’m no longer in my 20s.

ta: Time really flies, isn’t it! It’s already 5 years from the last time we had you. So, how’s life now?
HH: Can’t be better than this, mate. I’m more more happy than ever. I believe my family is happy too. And would love to believe that all my friends are in good shapes, and not forget to mention, sizes too. I got the keys for my new apartment recently and now in the process to move in. A bit nervous of course… this is the first time I’ll be living all by myself. Anxious, I can say.

ta: Any major plans in the pipeline?
HH: Of course, my dear. I’ve a number of major plans to be executed in this year and the next two years. I’ve been planning for quite some time. Had not only second, but third and fourth thought to ensure that these can be implemented smoothly. And like people say, “Kita hanya merancang”. Anyhow, insya-Allah… insya-Allah.

ta: What’s it all about?
HH: Betterment. Pursuit of betterment.

ta: Come on, don’t be stingy. Give us some light. Family? Career?
HH: I’m sorry, mate. Can’t disclose anything at this juncture.

ta: I heard of something to happen in July or December 2007. Care to share with us?
HH: Once again, I’ve nothing to offer at this point of time.

ta: Shall we talk about the poison letter?
HH: I’m not so sure whether I want to talk about this subject. Nevertheless, I’m very pleased and happy to know that the panel found it baseless and unfounded and decided to close the case. Although it affected me emotionally and financially, I’ve no hard feeling to these two ladies. I wish them all the best in their undertakings and may Allah bless them with more hidayah. And I hope there will be no third person to receive such letter them in the future. Aamin.

ta: No hard feeling?
HH: Not at all. Can we change subject?

ta: You’re driving now? How it feels to have own transport?
HH: (Big smile) It’s just a small cute car with two doors. Three doors actually. But unfortunately, I don’t enjoy driving in KL, especially during weekdays. It takes me about 30-40 minutes from my house to the office if I go out around 7.00-7.15 a.m. and about 75-80 minutes to return home if I go out 6.15-6.30 p.m. But it’s not 17-20 minutes if I go home around 10 p.m. Well, it’s a good indicator for my driving pleasure, right? Oh… one more thing. Don’t ask direction from me. I just know to go to my office and direction to balik kampung. And a few places around Pandan Indah. I got lost twice in my way to my grandma’s in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail. Aiyo… memalukan!

ta: You really need to drive more. The more you drive, more lost you got, the better KL driver you are.
HH: Totally agree.

ta: Are you still a big fan of Ogy? Sambal ikan bilis? John Grisham? Jafar Panahi?
HH: It has been quite a while from the last time I watched Jafar Panahi’s film. The Mirror, if I’m not mistaken. Yeap, I’m still a big fan of Fauziah Datuk Ahmad Daud. Enjoy very much listening to songs composed by Azlan Abu Hassan, song sang by Ning Baizura, Adibah Noor, Jamal Abdillah, Ramli Sarip, Ramlah Ram, Nora, Dayang Nurfaizah, Dina, Mawi and the wonderful sisters – Azlina Aziz & Liza Aziz.I also enjoy watching Yasmin Ahmad’s films, not so sure, is it because of her narration style or Sharifah Amani’s acting. I love Mislina Mustaffa. She’s great in Sepet, Muhsin and Puaka Tebing Biru! Can’t wait to watch her in a telemovie, which I can’t remember the title but she will be starring with Namron, another good actor. For my reading pleasure, I also read Faisal Tehrani’s, Peter Mayle’s and Mitch Albom’s.

ta: And you collecting LRT pass?
HH: (Big laugh) I also collecting limited edition coins. Coin in Education by Bank Negara Malaysia and Royal Mint. I have the endangered species and marine & reptilian series. Don’t laugh, okay. I’ve been collecting LRT passes since November 2002. At that time, it was only RM70 but now it’s RM90. And you can use for both Star LRT and Putra LRT. I know they have changed the names but still prefer call them with old names.

ta: I heard of you organizing an amazing AMA party. Tak jemput pun!
HH: Amazing ke? Malu lah… It was supposed to be a small party, but everybody seems to bring a few friends along, so it turned out to be a bigger group. Yang penting, Ning Baizura menang besar! M. Nasir was there too. Boleh tahan lah. We had big stars joining us at Dynasty Hotel. Jaclyn Victor, Adibah Noor, Siti Nurhaliza, Mawi & Flop Poppy. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors. I really really appreciate it.

ta: I guess more parties after this? Jemput tau!
HH: Hmmm… biarlah rahsia!

ta: Over lah!
HH: (Big laugh) Don’t you remember, darling… I love to surprise people. That’s my forte, kan? And frankly speaking… I don’t know. I really don’t know. You know what… I feel old, now. Seriously, I feel really really old. And tired too.

ta: How about your family?
HH: They are doing very well. My second sister has just finished her degree, alhamdulillah with good grade, probably will start working in one or two month’s time. The other three are still schooling. My parents seem happier than ever. Well, that is before I cancel the family trip. Did I say cancel? I would love to believe that I just postponed it to a later date. You know, my new apartment requires more and more money for this and that. Gempar!

ta: Another catchy punch line?
HH: Oh…. no, no. It’s no mine and I don’t know who created it but I got it from my friends. There are others like “sentap”, “murah… murah… murah…” “suka2x suka2x” (Laugh) They’re so great with catchy phrases!

ta: Share with us your 5-year plan.
HH: A family of my own, together with my beloved parents and siblings to inspire me tremendously to realise my dream.

ta: Which one? Novelist? Filmmaker?
HH: My dream, my dream.

ta: Okay lah… we better stop before you start to become annoying. So last word, please.
HH: (Laugh) Siut! Ops… sorry. Once again, thank you for having me for the third time. I really appreciate it. May Allah bless us with more rahmat, berkat and joy. Aamin. And Happy Mother’s Day to my beloved Mak and all mothers in this world. Thank you for being mothers. And not forgotten, Happy Teacher’s Day to my late grandfather, Allahyarham Cikgu Jaafar, my teachers from Tabika KEMAS Bachang, Tengkera English School, Sekolah Rendah Agama Pasir Puteh, Malacca High School, Sekolah Menengah Sains Muar, MARA College Banting and University of Manchester and other teachers as well. Lots of love from me.

ta: Goodbye…
HH: And Happy Birthday to Sdra. Amir Imran (9th) and Sdri. Suriani (14th) and those who celebrating their birthday on Teacher’s Day, and that’s include Sdra. Amiruddin, Prierce Brosnan & Janet Jackson.

ta: Done?
HH: (Smile) Yeap.

ta: Thank you and goodbye.
HH: Sama-sama.