“Earth Hour 2008″ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Earth Hour” was definitely a success in Kuala Lumpur. While over 300 cities faced an hour’s worth of darkness, our beloved capital city stood there glowing alight with all its glory. For an unhealthy Air Pollution Index and the kind of weather we have to endure everyday, Malaysia do have to do its fair share of keeping up with the world on climate change.

Twenty-three major cities worldwide, along with 300 smaller cities, took part in Earth Hour, a campaign by environmental group WWF to highlight the need to conserve energy and fight global warming.

 

New Zealand and Fiji were first out of the starting blocks this year. And in Sydney, Australia — where an estimated 2.2 million observed the blackout last year — the city’s two architectural icons, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, faded to black against a dramatic backdrop of a lightning.

 

Lights also went out at the famed Wat Arun Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand; shopping and cultural centers in Manila, Philippines; several castles in Sweden and Denmark; the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary; a string of landmarks in Warsaw, Poland; and both London City Hall and Canterbury Cathedral in England.

 

WWF Thailand said the lights out campaign in Bangkok saved 73.34 megawatts of electricity, which would have produced 45.8 tons of carbon dioxide.

 

In Manila, the grounds of the seaside Cultural Center of the Philippines went dark after four city mayors ceremonially switched off the lights. Shopping malls turned off street lamps around the metropolis.

 

“What’s amazing is that it’s transcending political boundaries and happening in places like China, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea,” Earth Hour executive director Andy Ridley said. “It really seems to have resonated with anybody and everybody.”

 

-CNN, 30 March 2008

 

Well, apparently, not just anybody and everybody. Where is Malaysia in that equation?

About Earth Hour

On March 31 2007, for one hour, Sydney made a powerful statement about the greatest contributor to global warming – coal-fired electricity – by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses switched off, leading to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. What began as one city taking a stand against global warming caught the attention of the world.

In 2008, 24 global cities participated in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby.

Is this a beautiful world?

Another sleepless night.. there’s much to contemplate about. I get to my most philosophical when sleeping, lying down pretty much helpless but let my mind run wild with its thoughts pervading every muscle and cell to kill me countless times over in order to get some sleep. It’s been awhile since i was able to sleep properly, and sleep without being completely without energy to move. I’m about 3 weeks away from a much needed rest, where i will be going to Sydney to really grind out my life and thoughts on life there.

On the brighter side of life…

Yes! I’ve gotten both Evangelion 1.0 movie and theme song, Utada is wonderful. “Beautiful World” when looking at the translated lyrics fits in perfectly with the Eva series. The upbeat mode being transcended by depressing lyrics is especially interesting, will this third alternate ending to Evangelion spiral to another bittersweet torment for its viewers?

The movie is more than just an upgrade/re-telling of episodes 1-6 of the original series. Some parts of the series are either emphasised or left out to push its own story this round, like the appearance of Kaoru even before you get to see the fiery Asuka. Oh, man, Asuka!

You’ve got to watch it, the Ramiel fight sequence is simply excellent. It keeps you guessing just how good things will be when the other movies are released. Right now i’ll just enjoy this song and think of someone to utter these words to.

moshimo negai hitotsu dake kanau nara
kimi no soba de nemurasete   donna basho de mo ii yo

If I could only have one desire fulfilled,
I would wish to be sleeping by your side, wherever that may be

p/s utada is still simply stunning~

It’s March already?

Yup, it is confirmed, even the first week of March has come to an end. In that time, leading up from the New Year’s, with hyped up expectations of myself, i have, done simply nothing besides working. And suddenly, Pummkin asked me if i was gonna make it for her easter shows which she is performing, March was here. Yes. I mean it’s no big deal what month of the year it is today, as long as i’m alive and i can only thank God for that!

But the point being, i’m almost feeling like a lost child in the last 2 months. I wanted to watch Sweeney Todd in Feb, but it was over by then, and i didnt know it. Being disconnected like this is a little disturbing. We all talk about improving time management, it’s a long shot for me since i act intuitively. It precedes planning.

Well, Easter is coming and it’s time I looked back at the long, long beach which for a long time, only 1 set of footprints existed. I was carried to where i am today after pushing and stumbling all along the way. I owe Him so much.

It’s time to reflect a little on over the weekend, and catch up on so whimsical reading. Yes i read whimsically except for a few staples on the net. My room is littered with unfinished books that will take awhile to complete.

And on a side note, Bob Dylan is amazing. RM44.90 well spent. Now i really want Evangelion 1.0!

How are you celebrating Easter? I wanna go somewhere and see someone do something and be on my knees in prayer so please invite me!