A Little Note on my Brother's 47th Birthday

Saiful @ Poon @ Abang Cik
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Today is my brother, Saiful’s (or Poon to his friends und family, and Abang Cik just to me) birthday. Abang Cik means he is my elder but not eldest brother. And since he has no other younger brother or sister, I am the only person privileged to call him that in the whole wide world. It is an honour of sorts, I guess.

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My Dad

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It is through Abang Cik that I first dipped my furtive toes into art, music and literature. Whatever he loved I tend to love, and if not love at least respect. From his considered opinion I became a fan of Pink Floyd, Sting, U2, Jesus Christ Superstar the Musical, the Who, Propaganda (German band), Suzanne Vega, and the Police just to name a few. When it comes to books, I guess his literary introduction cover authors such as P.G. Wodehouse, Stephen King, Cornelius Ryan, Sven Hessel, J.R.R. Tolkien, Paul Theroux and the irrepressibly English Enid Blyton. The margins of my artistic interest is not as adventurous as my brother though, so he can easily dig ambient / techno music where I myself fear to tread. He is a much more open and easy-going guy than I am. And to top it off, he is a gifted artist and sketches brilliant pictures and can even do a decent sculpture if the fancy takes him. My drawings that I often post in this blog pales in comparison to his skillful sketches.
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Imran

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I was just talking about my brother today with my close friend, Nash. My old buddy remarked that he cannot remember any time when he bumped into my brother and my brother did not look relaxed and carefree. I remarked that if my brother was any more relaxed he would be a moss.

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Well, back to his birthday. My father treated Abang Cik to his favourite Japanese restaurant and along for the free meal was Imran (my nephew), Mika and your humble sinner. We went through sushi, sashimi, miso soup and teriyaki like there would be no tomorrow. For my brother, I bought him a second-hand book - a brilliant World War II piece entitled ‘The Forgotten Soldier’ by Guy Sayer. It is no good being friend or family to me, you know, if you are expecting lavish gifts. I am miserly that way – which is of course fitting for my role as your humble sinner. If I was generous I wouldn’t have the moral (or perhaps amoral) authority to write this blog.

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The Sinner

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I bumped into a Sufi Shaykh about two weeks ago. The Shaykh inquired me about Abang Cik, asking me as to my brother’s plan for his life and what he intends to do with it. The Shaykh appeared concerned that my bro's talents will be wasted, saying that he isn't getting any younger. I didn’t know how to respond (I am often that way with this Shaykh) but merely promised to pass the message. I spoke to my brother that same night but Abang Cik never actually replied, looking merely pensive and thoughtful.

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Mikhail
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Peace be unto you, pet. May we all appreciate and cherish our elder brothers, because in the case of my brother, he did not waste his talents and passion - he has passed a little of his treasure already to me. And in some ways, even this blog is a reflection of my Abang Cik’s perception and skill. No, i don't think his talents have been wasted at all.

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Pax Taufiqa.

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Footnote: All the pictures were taken in the Japanese restaurant by Mika with his excitable hands, thus the rather shaky pictures.