Matt's Missives

I have been told that the way Peking duck and French ducks used in making pate is the same.  They are caged, or trapped in such a way that only their head can emerge from an airhole--which they obviously use to breath.  When they stick their heads out--desperate for breath--their faces are stuffed.  Since their prison is so small that they can't move, they get no exercise.   I am waiting to be slaughtered and cooked.
I would never have believed it, but the people of Kuala Lumpur like to eat even more than Singaporeans.  I guess while here the emphasis is more on the shopping, their basic entertainment rests slightly more on the side of food.  Having spent the weekend there I have finally waddled back into singapore, wondering when my liver will be harvested for the pate.  I was fed, and fed and fed while I was there.  Chinese, Malay, Indian, dessert, tea, snacks.  I'd come away from one meal and walk straight into another.  I'd feel ready to burst and then find I'd have to eat more--or risk being impolite.  So I ate and ate and ate.  And now I feel like I never want to eat again.
Another pleasure of travelling around Malaysia, for those who've never been there, is the music.  Being slightly music deprived in here in Sing, having no stereo or music, I am open to most music.  But Malay pop . . . well, that's something else.  It's like Micheal Bolton, Kenny G. and some bad eighties synthesizers all thrown together. . .in Malay.  Ah yes the heartfelt croonings of some anonymous Malay singer is enough to bring tears to almost anyone's eyes.  Here in Singapore, though, I do occasionally here some familiar songs at the food court near where I live . . . classics like Gloria Estafan's "The rhythm is gonna get you" and Europe's "The final countdown" (wow, haven't heard that one in a LONG time, didn't even know there were still copies of it kicking around), anyone familiar with Europe knows that they are the perfect blend of eighties euro cock rock (an altogether different variety from American cock rock) epitomized by The Scorpions and eighties pop--the wailing synth, shrieking guitar and heavy german accent.  beautiful.  of course, nothing as heartwarming as Cutting Crew's "I just died in your arms tonight" and Bryan Adams' "I'm gonna run to you" which I had the pleasure of hearing over and over while I was on Pulau tioman.  I guess those middle level resorts cater to the kind of Westerner (and Asian?) who appreciates such things.  I know that after a long bus ride hearing nothing but malay pop, I was fully appreciative.  so this is my musical life here in Singapore.  I am quite thankful, now, that a long car ride in early september allowed me adequate time to memorize the complete works of The Weakerthans, so that at least in my own bathroom I can remember that somewhere, some kind of music exists that does no incorporate a synth. . .
miss you all, miss my music more.