The monthly “Readings” organised by Sharon Bakar continues. Can you believe it’s been almost a month since my last lit-event? Do click on the poster above for a larger, clearer one. Easily my favourite of all the posters I’ve designed thus far. (Source photo courtesy of Greg Olsen.)
Complete details from Sharon as follows:
“Readings”
Our series of monthly readings continue this Saturday with the aim of encouraging new writing talent.
Time: 3.30pm
Date: 28th April 2007
Place: Seksan’s, 67, Lorong Tempinis Satu, Lucky Garden, Bangsar (Click here for the map)Readers for this Saturday include:
- Kenny Mah
- Jerome Kugan
- Chuck Kramer
- Tsiung Han See
- Antares
- Zedeck Siew
“Readings” is the birth-child of Bernice Chauly, lovingly fostered by Sharon Bakar. We are grateful to Seksan and La Bodega for sponsorship.
Admission free and everyone very welcome. Please pass on the invitation to anyone else you think might be interested.
(For enquiries contact Sharon 012-6848835, sbakar@streamyx.com)
I’m one of the six readers this round — this will be my first public reading, so children, do be kind! 
Ah, I do have a favour to ask of you, dear readers: I have simply no idea what I should read, so could you guys let me know what you think would be a good story, poem or even blog entry to read? There are some in my book Broken Mornings, but also plenty of material in the archives of this blog.
Do let me know, especially those of you who would be there in person. Consider this the wail of a writer calling for requests… 
79 Comments
I had a feeling u wudn leave Readings this time around without a poster. Heheh…=D
*happily hopping over to my blog to put up the poster*
Have fun guys!
And kenny, as for your design, I really like your style. Do you have any influence in particular as what…influence your, style, of…design? (yes, I’m still having a vocabulary blonde day)
spiffy,
Almost didn’t do one, but Sharon came through with the final list of readers just in time. Poor thing, she had a couple of last minute pull-outs, so I can just imagine her running around to find new readers.
My hats off to the lady!
pizzofmine,
Thanks! What a compliment coming from you. Without sounding like an ass about it, I guess I just dabble in whatever style I like or whatever mood I’m in at any given point in time. I’m not professionally trained in design so most of the time I wouldn’t even get the vocabulary, though I don’t mind learning if you are willing to share…
And guys, don’t forget the requests! I still haven’t faintest what to read! *worries*
Hello Kenny! Nice poster
Whatever you’re going to be reading, am sure it’ll be fine. Coz you’ll do it from the heart, just like your design work ma!
Nice
Believe me, you’re not that far off from a trained one. Most important of all is you like to do it. The passion will show in your work.
Like Samuel Goldwyn said:
“Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.”
Wah u so talented ar…can do nice poster….can write….somemore got cute face…!!! Sigh, would have been nice to attend one of your “readings”, but unfortunately, we’re organising a foodcrawl on Saturday (again!!!) in honour of an Ipoh guest, so will just try to imagine how it went…and am sure it’ll go really well.
Read one of your short stories from Broken Mornings. They’re beautiful and will read like poetry!
If I can, I’ll try to be there, but I’ve been away from home so much I’m afraid I’ll annoy my husband
all the best kenny… and oh… since you’re so good with this banner thingy…. can you design one for my blog? hehe…
I think you should read like Yvonne says, choose the pieces that light up for you - print out a few likely ones that people have told you they like, and practise on some friends like Nisa or Ellyne. Reading is good for clarifying the strong ones so they can shine.
Nice poster :)(but can’t see the date and time too clearly…I’m sure if you click on it you can tho!) What a beautiful book.
Yeah and forgot to say how sorry I am to miss this and too bad for my timings.
First public reading - yay! You’ll never look back.
Go gettem Tiger!
Yvonne,
Thanks a lot! Encouragement from you means a lot to me, especially since I know you are very particular about design, and as a writer, stories.
pelukismelukis,
Hey, great to have you drop by at last! I lurve your work, man!
pizzofmine,
So which am I — a smart idiot or a stupid genius? Hahaha… But I agree with you, the most important thing is to like what we’re doing.
There was an entire discussion about it a week ago on this blog too. Of Dreams and Dream Jobs it was called.
Lyrical Lemongrass,
“Cute face”? Are you sure you didn’t mistake one of my friends for me, ah?
No worries, I’m sure there will be opportunities in the future for us to get together — in fact, if you girls get me drunk enough on the free-flowing Martell this Friday evening @ the KLue RSVP dinner, I might just start spouting some impromptu nonsense.
Jackie Chan got drunken kungfu, Kenny Mah has mabuk dongeng…
But I’m envious lah, yet another food crawl? Got Ipoh guest some more. I keep missing and missing out, don’t I? Though not for lack of invitations and me trying.
Next foodcrawl must join! Cannot miss!
Xeus,
I seem to get that a lot — “like poetry” and “lyrical”. The audience will probably end up thinking I’m reading poetry, but I suppose that’s another form of storytelling. The emphasis here is on oral narration, which is a different animal than the words read from the page using only the mind, sans audio.
Would love to catch you there, but not at the cost of your husband’s wrath!
Zewt,
Didn’t I offer you once before? Don’t shy shy… You ask, I sure do one… What do you have in mind, bro?
Msiagirl,
Nisa has suggested I read “Seek Me You Would Not”; spiffy has requested “Smell” and a couple of others. Ellyne said the same thing Yvonne and you did.
I did try reading some aloud last month, and it surprised me that some of the ones I felt were weaker actually came across much stronger when verbalised. So you got it spot on.
I’m still very open to suggestions though. Even blog entries. I’m seriously considering reading “I Am Woman” — which is a personal favourite and received a good response too.
The dates and time of the poster is much clearer when you click on it; the image on the blog is resized due to space constraints.
No worries about missing this; if there aren’t any readings when you visit, I’ll read just for you!
I’ll take you up on that personal reading! (Lucky girl or what?!)
I’m sure I Am Woman will be well received - smart women love men in touch with their anima! You’ll get some extra fans.
Why don’t you read Leaves if you must have a suggestion? I just read it again and it would be poignant read aloud - ah but do you dare, Prufrock?
Msiagirl,
Lucky girl? I’m the lucky one to have someone who’d want me to read to them!
“Leaves” is a great suggestion; I remember Ms. Downey liking that one in particular. So I do dare, yes sirree me…
Thanks! You’re ever a lifesaver!
Kenny, whatever impromptu nonsense you spout with the aid of Martell will probably be more earth shattering than my unintelligible garbage under the influence of teh tarik. So spout on and I’ll write down every word. Maybe can sell and make money to fund my trip to Prague.
Hey, Kenny - how fab that you’re going to be doing a Reading. I wish I could be there. I’m going to keep challenging you with this refrain: Have you managed to complete anything loooooonger than the short short short pieces in your pdf collection? I would really love to see you sustain your great writing with something longer than mood pieces. If you have, why don’t you read one of those longer works? All the best for Saturday - and please write up a report for those of us who can’t be there!
Kenny,
If I were to read or speak, I think of who are my audience and what would relate to them most. If I don’t know that, I would pick something short that I am passionate about. Something short and humourous will stay in people’s mind longer. That is just me. For you, I think any poem or short stories you read will be exciting for the audience since you are so popular already.
Lyrical Lemongrass,
“Under the influence of teh tarik”? Aiyo, next time ask for kurang manis, if not head also can explode from all the extra sugar they dump into it. You’d think sugar is free the way they pour it on, eh?
Sure can sell or not? Who’d buy such dribble from my lips?
But a trip to Prague sounds great! I was there five years ago, backpacking with some friends. Beautiful city, gorgeous old architecture, a place where you can just sit back and let it all sink in. Hope you get to visit it soon.
Yang-May,
Anything loooooonger? Yes, I have, though I’m never as happy with the lengthier pieces compared to the shorter ones. We will see if I read any of these. I’m still in two minds about it though it’d probably be more “acceptable” to the audience, being more conventional in total word count at least.
And I will most definitely write up a report for all you who can’t be there — just don’t expect it the very next day! My week (or rather, my entire month) has been so hectic thus far, I’m really looking forward to doing absolutely nothing at all this Sunday. Day of rest and all, ya know?
“Who’d buy such dribble from my lips?” I’ll take my chances with you, Mr Mah. With proper marketing, anything’s possible. Not that I’m implying that your work is bad…hahaha.
Prague…yeah…will be there in a couple of months. Need money for shopping, which is why I’m selling your work. Can share-share the profits, right?
mrshbt,
I believe everyone would relate to relationships, love and all its demons. That’s mostly what I write about anyway, in my own screwed-up manner.
Most of my stories are short, really short, so that’s taken care of too. Humourous? That’s really not my strength, but who knows? I might have one or two funny ones hidden away from view. I know Eric Forbes finds “The Cycling Barber” funny, sorta, so that might work.
Or I could just read randomly from the book on the day itself! That’d be an interesting experiment — who knows what the audience might like, right?
Lyrical Lemongrass,
No, I actually agree with you — with marketing, anything’s possible. Just look at how they sell them fast food and sports apparel, for example.
And if you can sell it, share-share is no problem one. Anything to contribute to the “Lyrical Lemongrass shops in Prague Fund”!
Sniff… sniff… Looks like I will miss hearing you read this Saturday. Hopefully, next time.
hey my Horat video and ass picture is up! are u ever gonna come see it?
arr too bad i cant be there for ur reading!!! all the best man!
Kenny,
I had a great time reading “the cycling barber”. I would like to read more. What other post would you recommend?
p/s I am still looking for the next thinking blogger. I clicked on …Lemongrass today and I was amazed. This author has photographing skills.
kenny,
a reading… *oohhh* i’d love to be able to attend… @_@
unfortunately i might not b able to make it (mth end closing) but hopefully i can squeeze in the time as the location is quite near to my work place.
if u’re not thinking of reading some of ur own writing… (which if it was me i’d rather read my own handiwork anyway) why don’t you try a section/paragraph from Tuesday’s with Morrie (i tink i jz recommended zewt to read it)…
there’s a section on detachment which is really interesting and enlightening. i’ll try to email u the paragraph (if u hvn’t already read the book) by tmw to ur gmail (if my colleague remembers to bring it tmw)…
as always jz my 2cents worth
hopefully my work schedule permits me to attend d reading… will keep u posted (i’d prolly send u a sms if u don mind… u attached ur hp no in ur mail to me) whether o not i can make it but will only know for sure come sat…
if i can’t make it… all da best mate.
Kenny, with all the encouragement u get from ur readers and those that are attending Readings because of you..i’m sure Sharon would want to keep u for future Readings. ;o)
I shall be there with my fake anaconda skirt and beehive hairdo! And I’ll park me big butt right smack in front and I’ll pull a Sharon Stone to distract you, can ahhh! LOL!!!!
Maybe you should read Big-jet Jones very secret Diary, rewritten by Kenny Mah…
dreamer idiot,
*sings*
“Don’t cry for me, dree-ee-mer ee-dee-yurt/There will awww-ways beee anar-der thyme…”
*flees from flying rotten fruits and vegetables*
sulee,
Downloaded your video but haven’t watched it yet. From what I can see thus far, you look like you’re having fun.
No worries, I’m sure I’ll feel the support of Ms. Horat all the way in Bangsar…
mrshbt,
I’m glad you enjoy the “The Cycling Barber” story. What other posts? Well, how about the first time I went skiing, with almost disastrous results? Or the first comic strip I ever designed? Or simply, a letter that I wrote, perhaps, more accurately, writing about writing letters.
The archives are not even complete yet. I still have most of 2002 and 2003 missing. And let’s not even talk about 2005, what a year. This is my third blog, after all, between these beginnings and endings, I’ve led many lives.
asstha,
I will be reading my own work; all the featured writers will be reading their own work — that is rather the point, to showcase new writing and quite often, new writers.
I’d love to have a look at the book you mentioned though, even a paragraph can be magic sometimes.
I really hope you can make it in person though, it’d mean the world to me to meet some of the other bloggers and to have friendly faces in the audience.
But if you can’t make it, as some of the rest have already said, I’d make sure there’s a next time. Some place, some how.
spiffy,
Don’t jinx it lah… Nanti Sharon shoo me from all future “Readings” how?
The Quiet Storm,
Fake anaconda skirt. Check. Beehive hairdo. Check. Big butt. Check. Sharon Stone. Check, check, CHECK!
O do you very best to distract me, says I!
Henry,
“Big-jet Jones”? Have you been talking to The Quiet Storm?
Kenny,
Nice poster there. You’re good in arts and I can’t deny it.
Kok,
Well, you can always try but they do teach us not to live in denial, right?
(Gosh, I’m not making any sense. Okay, leaving the office, like right now!)
i will send you a mail about it…
Random question: What computer are you using for your artwork?
Kenny,
She can’t possibly do tht..*crossing fingers* because i haven’t heard you read..Heheh..;o)
Wahh…you are so talented and creative Kenny. If only you could pass 5% of your talent to me.
Zewt,
O how eagerly I anticipate your missive to me. Emails do funny things to me, they do.
Vern,
Currently? A Compaq notebook. But any PC will do, so long as it will run Adobe Photoshop. I’d use a Mac in a heartbeat if only someone would offer me one…
spiffy,
Better start campaigning for a sequel called Kenny then, haha…
Precious Pea,
What talent? If I had any, I’d give it all to you, my sweetpea…
Kenny - that’s real great work on the poster. I’m going to need your talents for my next book cover!
Tunku,
Thanks, and can’t wait for your next book!
Aiyooo..not sweetpea. It’s SnowPea! Hehehe!
hehehe, seems like you caught the projected scenario one step too late.
Anyway, which uni did you debate for last time? glasgow? monash? tokyo? sydney? oxbridge?
lovely poster - and kenny - reserve a seat for me.
Precious Pea,
Snowpeas are sweet too, so…
Henry,
Yeah, I’m slow like that. No one ever accused me of being intelligent for one thing. Which uni I debated for? Me and my former debatemates rather not say, infamous cretins that we are. I would say the best host I ever had was Monash University — professional and friendly and took care of all our needs. O and I love Melbourne, so that always helps…
Kak Teh,
Reserve a seat for you? Are you coming back to KL again? *wishin’ and hopin’*
Kenny, give Aldebaran’s mate a run for his money, will ya! Met the guy at KKB a few years ago and he wanted me and a half dozen other women to get into batik sarongs and take a dip at a nearby river with him for some spiritual-body-and-mind cleansing experience but I declined and stayed behind and finished his goreng pisang instead LOL!
considering all your work is pretty amazing, you might as well close your eyes and pick out a page.
however, i think your 55ers would have an awesome impact.
I know you can do it. Just do some yoga before you start and relax.
Yes, Yes..i will. I shall think of something & *hint* to Sharon..after i come back from my trip ya..fresh and relaxed. ;o)
p/s: don’t worry so much on what to read.. whtever it is..u’ll do just fine. Go get ‘em! =D
Bah - its all thinking posts now.
—
No more cuci mata pictures for me
s’ok.
I’ll live.
since zewt asked, i wan oso .. ha ha ha :p
i liked ‘heart’, dialogue person that i am
otherwise just draw lots lah, hehh
I refuse to help out! I’d rather be pleasantly surprised. *selfish*
hahaha
Oh bravo! A reading! Posts like these make me sad to be living in Kuching. :S
why do i get that sinking feeling that you are from UTM, UiTM or MMU.
Out with it.
Hw was the reading? =D
Kenny,
*Scratching my head* I didn’t get that. haha!
i. am. so. jealous.
why lah u didnt introduce me to these things when i was living back home?
Hey ALL you guys and girls,
The reading went great but I’m so mondo tired after the FoodBloggers makan session at Sandias last night, the Breakfast Club this morning and “Readings” this afternoon. Will answer all your comments after I’ve gotten an hour or twelve of sleep first…
Zzzzzzzz…..
All the activities really drained you out, huh? Anyway, hope you enjoyed yourself at the FoodBloggers makan session. I enjoyed listening to your readings too…an oral form of your writings in this blog. Cool! We left after Jerome’s reading and I began “singing” my conversations in the car…till I was told to put a stop to my “creativity”! LOL!
kenny,
take your time. Rest well, bro!:)
Glad to hear you are still alive and well after a full-on day and looking forward to hearing about it
hey..hoped the reading went well..how come i didnt c u in Sandias..and poor sod here was being screwed for not telling u abt the place..hmmph
The Quiet Storm,
And what exactly, did you mean when you said you “finished his goreng pisang”?
xill-e-ilahi,
Thanks. I like the 55ers too, but they are a little short for a fifteen minute reading. Maybe if I had a whole collection of them though.
Alice,
You know what? I actually had to settle a little dispute between two close friends right before the reading — so much for calm and relaxed, huh? Hahaha…
spiffy,
Hope you had a good trip!
G,
Some cuci mata for you? Just give me time to gather them pretty things up…
cibol,
Wah, like that, everyone also want, how are?
Pat,
Glad you like “Heart” — we should read it together one day.
Dizzy,
This kind of selfish I can live with. Heh.
Eli James,
Hey don’t knock a city I haven’t been to yet. From what I hear, it sounds fab.
Henry,
Ask KampungBoyCityGirl. They may give you a clue…
mar,
It went swell. Will write up about it soon.
Kok,
Don’t worry, I don’t get it either. Was way too tired that day…
Elisa,
Cos I wasn’t involved in any of these then. I was so uncool, hahaha.
wmw,
Wah, singing in the car some more. Such hidden talents you have! Had much fun on Friday and will blog it soon. Thanks for inviting me!
Msiagirl,
Alive is subjective. Hahahahaha…
lotsofcravings,
Eh? You were at Sandias? I guess I didn’t mingle enough, bro. Was kinda fatigued. And the ladies kept making me hit the bar again and again for more alcohol…
“And the ladies kept making me hit the bar again and again for more alcohol…”
Wei, don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy being slaved around. *whip*
Lyrical Lemongrass,
Can’t deny I enjoyed having yet another job description to add to my ever-growing list: waiter-for-the-day or cocktail-slave-to-the-ladies-at-the-table… Hahaha…
LOL! The pisang that grows on trees laaa and not his infamous you-know-what!LOL!
Hey Kenny,
Congrats! That’s really awesome and your poster is so well-designed and composed. I love it!
The Quiet Storm,
Well, I don’t know about no trees, but it sure grows, this pisang, dunnit?
Rasa Malaysia,
Thank you, dear. Hmm, now I feel pressurised to come out with designs to match this one… even I like it, and that’s saying something, haha.
that is one cun poster! man…ur photoshop/designing skills are amazing! js like those greek/roman era movie posters! *swoon*
btw. wat font did u use? looks so elegant…
and r u using photoshop cs2/cs3?
kyh,
The font I used is OptimusPrinceps and I’m using Adobe Photoshop 6.0 …. bear in mind I’m a self-taught amateur so jangan ketawa if I’m more than a little behind times in terms of technology, yeah.
And if you have to swoon, well, I’ll just have to sweep you up in me arms, right?
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