I did as many others went to Bangkok for the first Asian BP at Chula. It was a nice tournament but I would say quite a few went there simply because of Mdm Piyanart, the grand lady of Asian debating.
It was tough to see her playing the pr/advisor role as it rendered her health a wreck. She gave it all and it was mind boggling that she was still standing what more adjudicating in the grand finals.
MMU won it and ILPS (however you spell it) gave a mighty speech which was enough to convince 4 out of the 7 adjudicators. I thought IIU should have won by I wasn't adjudicating and these adjudicators, I supposed, should know what they were doing.
The biggest thing at Chula was the fact that it was the first time in a debate tournament that there were more qualified adjudicators then they were debaters. Thus it was fun watching the DCA's juggling the experienced hands, some did it politically, some with respect, some jest and some just plain rude. Congrats to TJ(the CA) anyway, as in the end, most people were happy.
Next year it will be in Malaysia and for the first time, it was won under 'the Malaysian bid' or namely myself, Chandran, Omar and Hafidz. It should be fun as if we have lots of sponsor it will be a grand time in good ol KL and if there's not so much sponsor money pouring in, we'll still have a grand time in beautiful Langkawi, or is it the other way around.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
An Innocent Man
I was angry that I was being pressed to admit to something that I would never do in any circumstances.
'Just say it'
'You did it, who else could it be' Even then my rudemantary grammar told me that 'could' is a signal for probability not certainty but they were like vultures humming hideously to a yet living but carcass like young 18 year old.
'You're just hiding behind your religious face'.
Admiting that I pray 5 times a day but having a religious face? That was a first and it was enough for me to muster a simple 'fuck you all' statement albeit in a tone nowhere near how it would have sounded in US, Europe or ceratin parts of Pakistan and Latvia.
Then, out of the bluest blu came a statment with almost no conviction at all.
'Bukan dia la' (It's not him).
'Budak kolej 9' (A boy from the Ninth college)
'Dia pun putih jugak, TESL jugak' (He is also fair and a TESL student)
My saviour, the maintenance supervisor.
I was suddenly freed from all the accusations. They all said in a not really apolegetic tone that they were mistaken.
Mistaken, O boy, they were mistaken in pushing me around like a rag doll made out non-smelly crap.
Revenge will come. I will get all of them if it is the last thing I do on earth.
'Boo' (the shorter version of my nickname), a frind shouted. 'Let's go man, 'touch rugby'.'
'OK' I shouted and all the venom left and revenge was purged out in less than 3 second. I was simply not the man to be angry when there's an obvious joy to be achived by fooling someone with my fancy footwork at touch rugby.
An innocent man at touch rugby.
'Just say it'
'You did it, who else could it be' Even then my rudemantary grammar told me that 'could' is a signal for probability not certainty but they were like vultures humming hideously to a yet living but carcass like young 18 year old.
'You're just hiding behind your religious face'.
Admiting that I pray 5 times a day but having a religious face? That was a first and it was enough for me to muster a simple 'fuck you all' statement albeit in a tone nowhere near how it would have sounded in US, Europe or ceratin parts of Pakistan and Latvia.
Then, out of the bluest blu came a statment with almost no conviction at all.
'Bukan dia la' (It's not him).
'Budak kolej 9' (A boy from the Ninth college)
'Dia pun putih jugak, TESL jugak' (He is also fair and a TESL student)
My saviour, the maintenance supervisor.
I was suddenly freed from all the accusations. They all said in a not really apolegetic tone that they were mistaken.
Mistaken, O boy, they were mistaken in pushing me around like a rag doll made out non-smelly crap.
Revenge will come. I will get all of them if it is the last thing I do on earth.
'Boo' (the shorter version of my nickname), a frind shouted. 'Let's go man, 'touch rugby'.'
'OK' I shouted and all the venom left and revenge was purged out in less than 3 second. I was simply not the man to be angry when there's an obvious joy to be achived by fooling someone with my fancy footwork at touch rugby.
An innocent man at touch rugby.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Very Academic, Stay Away
Listen my young padawans,
Listen well (actually read)...
Organizing the Conclusion.. It may be short but it could ruin your speech.
The conclusion brings a speech to a close. It is the last opportunity for the speaker to accomplish the purpose of the speech. In an informative speech, the speaker wants the audience to remember the information that was presented. Emphasizing a main point gives that idea importance and increases the chance of the audience remembering it. Summarizing a group of main points reinforces an audience’s retention of those points. Both of these devices – emphasis and summary – are discussed in greater detail in the chapter on informative speaking. They are the main concluding devices used for an informative occasion.
When engaged in persuasion, use the conclusion to make a specific call for action or to ask for a specific change in attitude by audience members. All the reasons and arguments presented in the body of a persuasive speech support the specific appeal in the conclusion. In essence, the persuasive speaker draws conclusions for the audience: “Because of these reasons, this specific action is necessary.” A second part of the conclusion to a persuasive speech includes visualizing what the desired result will be or energizing the call for action with an appeal. Not only do listeners need to know what to do, they need to be motivated to do it. Appeals to emotion and restatements of benefits act as motivational devices that energize persuasive conclusions.
Both informative and persuasive speeches need a strong last line to add a sense of finality and closure to the speech. Just as speaker’s first words are vital for capturing attention, the last words are the most memorable.Nowadays there are a long list of words and phrases that you could easily get from the internet, so there is really no excuse for not getting good ones to end your speech. The last line of the speech should encapsulate the thesis of the speech. A memorable quotation from an authorative source, a strong visual image, or an assertive statement creates a lasting impression with audiences. You should take advantage of the last line of the conclusion to impress your listeners with a strong and striking statement since it is the final word.
Listen well (actually read)...
Organizing the Conclusion.. It may be short but it could ruin your speech.
The conclusion brings a speech to a close. It is the last opportunity for the speaker to accomplish the purpose of the speech. In an informative speech, the speaker wants the audience to remember the information that was presented. Emphasizing a main point gives that idea importance and increases the chance of the audience remembering it. Summarizing a group of main points reinforces an audience’s retention of those points. Both of these devices – emphasis and summary – are discussed in greater detail in the chapter on informative speaking. They are the main concluding devices used for an informative occasion.
When engaged in persuasion, use the conclusion to make a specific call for action or to ask for a specific change in attitude by audience members. All the reasons and arguments presented in the body of a persuasive speech support the specific appeal in the conclusion. In essence, the persuasive speaker draws conclusions for the audience: “Because of these reasons, this specific action is necessary.” A second part of the conclusion to a persuasive speech includes visualizing what the desired result will be or energizing the call for action with an appeal. Not only do listeners need to know what to do, they need to be motivated to do it. Appeals to emotion and restatements of benefits act as motivational devices that energize persuasive conclusions.
Both informative and persuasive speeches need a strong last line to add a sense of finality and closure to the speech. Just as speaker’s first words are vital for capturing attention, the last words are the most memorable.Nowadays there are a long list of words and phrases that you could easily get from the internet, so there is really no excuse for not getting good ones to end your speech. The last line of the speech should encapsulate the thesis of the speech. A memorable quotation from an authorative source, a strong visual image, or an assertive statement creates a lasting impression with audiences. You should take advantage of the last line of the conclusion to impress your listeners with a strong and striking statement since it is the final word.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Luck and Practice
I was fortunate to be able to join the debate fraternity.I never have really been out of it for a good part of 19 years. I would be first to admit that practice and Saiful are two words that would have serious worldly repercussions if combined too often but I did practice, albeit, sporadically and specifically. Nonetheless, divine interventions helped my limited practice to be specifically on what was needed at that time to win or do well in the few tournaments that I entered.
Here's the list.
1. 1990 UPM Inter-College Tourney
- three beautiful teammates, so I was inspired to do all sorts of research to get to the final
2. 1991 UPM Inter College Tourney
- Our team was conned or Shanghaied into losing the finals the previous year so in 1991, I was pissed and thus ever willing to get the most potent of data.It was here that I developed my unique squirelling approach. We won and I was best speaker.
3. 1992 - kicked out of the UPM for purportedly having a short tongue and thus inable to pronounce words correctly. Insane, took me out of debate for a year but UPM lost all they could have lost (probably would have lost even if I was around) but my reputation was intact and called back in 1993 and I met OMAR SALLAHUDDIN.
4. Perfected my art of multiple definitions and parameters and got to the finals of the Battle of Wits. Lucky because Omar's team in a mindboggling decision lost in the semis. Ha ha, easy path for us in the finals. (My first prize money even though we lost the finals)
5. Went to the AllAsians (the first one) got to define 4 out of 5 times in the prelims and thus we won all four. Got to the octos but cannot define as we were the opps. Lost but reputation still okay as breaking then, means, you're good.
6. Went to the first royals in 95. Perfected the art of coin flipping so that we will get the 'Affirmative' position all the time. Got 4 out 5 and won 4 out of 5. Got through to the semis and the coin did not favour us and we were on the wrong side. Thus we lost.
Really not bad considering we only practiced defining and defending our parameters. Tough luck as by 96 people just simply got better and our way was not in style anymore (not that it was ever in style anyway)
Here's the list.
1. 1990 UPM Inter-College Tourney
- three beautiful teammates, so I was inspired to do all sorts of research to get to the final
2. 1991 UPM Inter College Tourney
- Our team was conned or Shanghaied into losing the finals the previous year so in 1991, I was pissed and thus ever willing to get the most potent of data.It was here that I developed my unique squirelling approach. We won and I was best speaker.
3. 1992 - kicked out of the UPM for purportedly having a short tongue and thus inable to pronounce words correctly. Insane, took me out of debate for a year but UPM lost all they could have lost (probably would have lost even if I was around) but my reputation was intact and called back in 1993 and I met OMAR SALLAHUDDIN.
4. Perfected my art of multiple definitions and parameters and got to the finals of the Battle of Wits. Lucky because Omar's team in a mindboggling decision lost in the semis. Ha ha, easy path for us in the finals. (My first prize money even though we lost the finals)
5. Went to the AllAsians (the first one) got to define 4 out of 5 times in the prelims and thus we won all four. Got to the octos but cannot define as we were the opps. Lost but reputation still okay as breaking then, means, you're good.
6. Went to the first royals in 95. Perfected the art of coin flipping so that we will get the 'Affirmative' position all the time. Got 4 out 5 and won 4 out of 5. Got through to the semis and the coin did not favour us and we were on the wrong side. Thus we lost.
Really not bad considering we only practiced defining and defending our parameters. Tough luck as by 96 people just simply got better and our way was not in style anymore (not that it was ever in style anyway)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Naih Nareien na
Naih Narein na
Bless humans all
Na hasuipo wichina it
All people received the gift
Na it wichinoh saipou uttamo
All the gift the world desires
Na shichi erose makuwani
All should use thoughtfully
It sianakepo utar
The gift shines over
Utar mnoei ke usupa
Over men who are blackhearts
Nisinggapa urak
Leaver of evil united.
Bless humans all
Na hasuipo wichina it
All people received the gift
Na it wichinoh saipou uttamo
All the gift the world desires
Na shichi erose makuwani
All should use thoughtfully
It sianakepo utar
The gift shines over
Utar mnoei ke usupa
Over men who are blackhearts
Nisinggapa urak
Leaver of evil united.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Idealogy in Debate
Talk is an interesting concept as it is not ever singular in formation. There are various influential variables that leads to the formation of the text of the talk. They would involve belief, culture, rules,level of education, economic backgroud, etc.
Thus, I would focus on one issue, Idealogy or belief. New debaters will be indoctrinated into the debate society with various show of beliefs, from the debaters talk, to the way they think, to the way they discuss, to whom they would listen to,etc. You can choose to ignore these belief charateristics and choose to do you it your own way but you will be frustrated and isolated. Debaters, happy and gay though most of them would be, religiously follow a set of belief that denotes the way they should act from the thinking, to the production of thoughts in discussion or debate speeches.
Hence, it would be wise for newer debaters to follow the cues and advice of senior members so as not to go against the conventions (hidden or clear) of the communitty.
Thus, I would focus on one issue, Idealogy or belief. New debaters will be indoctrinated into the debate society with various show of beliefs, from the debaters talk, to the way they think, to the way they discuss, to whom they would listen to,etc. You can choose to ignore these belief charateristics and choose to do you it your own way but you will be frustrated and isolated. Debaters, happy and gay though most of them would be, religiously follow a set of belief that denotes the way they should act from the thinking, to the production of thoughts in discussion or debate speeches.
Hence, it would be wise for newer debaters to follow the cues and advice of senior members so as not to go against the conventions (hidden or clear) of the communitty.
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Accusation
There I was, cool as cool can be on my multicolored bike. I stopped, looked around and immediately noticed something not quite right. People, some blokes and girls were actually looking at me or at least at my hideous multicolored (not by choice) Honda 70cc Cup.
Nope. They were looking at me. Well maybe I am amazingly handsome today was the thought in my mind. I walked up the stairs and two blokes (acquantainces not really friends) high fived me. A senior stopped me and asked me on how I could be that stupid. By then, I figured, I must have done something that was on the left side of nice. It clicked in my mind. My wonderful drug addict friend must have gotten arrested or created some kind of people pissing stunt yesterday. I finally realized that it's got nothing to do with him when a nice looking course mate of mine asked me how could I have been caught with a girl.
Caught with a GIRL? Me? And not only that, I was accused of trying to be involved in some kind of close connection art at the Chinese Cemetery. Why? For staters, I have always been seriously afraid of chinese ghosts and the cement top of the cemetery would not be a great prop even if the girl had been Pamela Anderson or Phobe Cates, (this was 1990 so the second name was more relevant). Seriously, I had problems talking about assignments with girls and how could I have been daring enough (definitely not meticulous) to plan an underachieving gig like I was accused of doing.
Needless to say I was refuting the acusation with all the venom I could muster. I was ready to go blow for blow with words or physical contact (less so physically as they were quite a few of these righteous accusers). The end was nowhere in sight and my reputation in tatters. Well, help came in the most unlikely source.
Nope. They were looking at me. Well maybe I am amazingly handsome today was the thought in my mind. I walked up the stairs and two blokes (acquantainces not really friends) high fived me. A senior stopped me and asked me on how I could be that stupid. By then, I figured, I must have done something that was on the left side of nice. It clicked in my mind. My wonderful drug addict friend must have gotten arrested or created some kind of people pissing stunt yesterday. I finally realized that it's got nothing to do with him when a nice looking course mate of mine asked me how could I have been caught with a girl.
Caught with a GIRL? Me? And not only that, I was accused of trying to be involved in some kind of close connection art at the Chinese Cemetery. Why? For staters, I have always been seriously afraid of chinese ghosts and the cement top of the cemetery would not be a great prop even if the girl had been Pamela Anderson or Phobe Cates, (this was 1990 so the second name was more relevant). Seriously, I had problems talking about assignments with girls and how could I have been daring enough (definitely not meticulous) to plan an underachieving gig like I was accused of doing.
Needless to say I was refuting the acusation with all the venom I could muster. I was ready to go blow for blow with words or physical contact (less so physically as they were quite a few of these righteous accusers). The end was nowhere in sight and my reputation in tatters. Well, help came in the most unlikely source.
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