TODAY THE BOY, the first-born – turns fifteen.
And father isn’t around. He’s never around. Heck, he wasn’t even around when the boy was born, a sore point with him and the missus, even until today. The story goes, when the water broke, the missus had to go to the clinic in a taxi. And because of father’s glaring absence during the boy’s birth, an old wives tale suggests that the father-son relationship will never be close. Perhaps they’re right.
The Pa’s away, toiling and getting his hands grubby and backs achy, in a foreign land piling in the dough. It’s for the boy’s college fund it seems, and also for the other two little ones. He harbor hopes of putting them through either Julliard or USC Film School, or failing that, either Stanford or Yale. Of course with inflation, a three or four year degree when the kids come of age will probably cost a million bucks.
So he’s just dreaming. That he’s just deluding himself.
Sorry son, for not being there.
Here’s a through-the-years’ slideshow. Hope you like it.
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| Afiqs B’day |
Love from Pa.
Hmm, here’s a new photo of you taken last month . . .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON! 🙂
AND OH, HOW CALLOUS OF ME! MY BELOVED SISTER, INTAN, ALSO SHARES THE SAME BIRTHDAY AS MY BOY. THAT’S HER IN THE MIDDLE, FLANKED BY HER TWO LOVELY DAUGHTERS…
My Lovely Intan & Her Lovely Daughters
Err, BTW, tomorrow, November 2 my Dad turns 72, still hale and hearty, that dear old man of mine. And the following day, November 3, is my other sister, whom we fondly call Pacha. Love you ‘Cha! Not too mention my extremely significant and extremely better half, who holds everything in my life together – hers is on the 11th.
Why do you think I conveniently am away when their birthday comes? 😉
And what is it about Scorpions, and why they’re swarming all over this Capricornian Goat?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTERS!
madsalos - Mat Salo's Other Blog 
Happy Birthday, Afiq! What a handsome boy Afiq is. And bro, as I told you before, can’t be your genes. *ROTFLOL*
Just kidding okay?
Why are you all sentimental on Saturday morning. You have grown old, no other reason.
What?? You were not there when Afiq was born *shudder*
No woman would forgive you bro, simply none. Unless you are off saving the country in places like Iraq or Afghanistan’s equivalence. But all said and done, everything is in God’s hand.
I don’t believe that tale of when a father was not present during a child’s birth, they will never be closed. That’s loads of bollocks.
Okay, okay, too long a comment already. Back to this Nov 29 meet-up (I suppose I am invited lah kan, ahem!) can you make it earlier (like breakfast or lunch time) please? My good friend during Sheffield days is getting married on the Nov 29 at 8 pm. He is 37. I really don’t want to miss the chance to poke fun at him and his EXTREMELY YOUNG wife.
I call you. Take care and stay safe, you hear?
Mish, I saw that comment at arahman’s, my orang kampuang, maternal side – no, you got all it wrong! I blame this screw up on one of the committee members who shall remain unnamed, who was supposed to send individual emails out. Typically of me too to blame the other guy, ha ha. 🙂
I kinda agree too but it’s not about the food is it? It’s about a place large enough to cater to comings and goings, and not popular enough that the managers chase you if you lepak too long. Plus easy (cheap) parking, and ramps. Of course, ramps. I’m thinking of the other outlets that meet this criteria, any ideas? Not too cheap, not too expensive and also to cater to the nicotine addicts. So closed indoor venues are out. I think on the second floor, and somewhere to the side, ada. But let us check it out first.
Yeah, alright. See if we can start proceedings, say eleven-ish and for those so inclined, hang around till way after. Hmm, this groom.. anyone I know? His first time?
Hey, the boy will appreciate your wishes. Hmm, you really think so? But the girls haven’t started coming round the house.. yet. 😉
Comment by elviza — November 2, 2008 @ 11:54 am |
Hai MS,
Wish your handsome son very happy birthday, and your significant half, your dad and sisters too all in the row.
You definitely saved quite a bit o presents but knowing you it’s not the money but rather call of duty that always keep you away on the right occasions.
Just kidding my friend, but definitely your son and others are proud of your sacrifice as the bread winner in the family.
May God bless you and family always.
Thank you Bang DJ.. Appreciate the wishes and your vote of confidence! 🙂
Comment by jaflam — November 2, 2008 @ 3:50 pm |
Hello MS,
Your son, give him a D40, that spectacle and hairstyle maintained, add more weight. From my eyes, that’s you.
Seems like you and your son bonded not only by father-son, but as friend as well. Man, that’s cool.
Wish him a very happy birthday, and also to all of the clan members.
Brother Akmal,
I don’t think if I ever go on a crash course diet ke, liposuction ke, will I ever get anywhere like my boy. *sigh*. But thanks for the thought anyway! 🙂
D40 tu kene songlap by my younger brother so I pakai camera sama macam sheih, tapi 2nd hand. It comes with a 500 page manual, terus masuk bawah katil buat kumpul abok. Ni nak cari Photoshop Elements 7.0, so far pakai freeware like Picasa.
Yup, I hope to have my boy as a friend, but not easy laa father-son thingy eh? -MS
Comment by Akmal — November 2, 2008 @ 6:22 pm |
Bro MS,
Happy birthday Afiq. Happy birthday too to all your family members celebrating their birthdays within this month.
Our family never celebrate birthdays so we just sail thru everybody’s birthdays without hurting anybody’s feelings. Only after the birth of the cucus it becomes fashionable to celebrate their birthdays and this catches on with the elders too.
I agree laa Pak Zawi, birthdays ni untuk bebudak jer. But I guess it’s nice to be appreciated or show appreciation -MS
Comment by Pak Zawi — November 2, 2008 @ 8:10 pm |
Hello!
Happy birthday to Afiq, Ms-Senior, Aunty Intan, Mrs MS, and Aunty Pacha!
Did I miss anybody ar?
Hope you’re having a good time on the rig…The weather here is very cold, and the sun, although shining, isn’t doing much…=(
Yup, you didn’t miss anybody laa Daph, if you did then big headache. Ha ha. They all said thanks to everyone here for the wishes. Winter is looming close .. time to dress in layers and start bundling up. Betcha can’t wait for the snow, eh? (Alamak, why arr Canadians ujung semua sentence ada ‘eh?’)
Comment by Daphne Lin — November 2, 2008 @ 10:59 pm |
Salam Bro and Afiq:
Happy Birthday Afiq. Uncle tak tau…kalau tak boleh courier ikan bakaq tempat yang kita pergi dulu. Tapi no point jugak coz Afiq tak makan ikan.
Ha…abang Akmal suruh Papa belikan D40 for Afiq.That is a good idea but I’m sure you have other ideas right?
Afiq, walau Papa is not around during some important dates and occasions, trust me, your Papa loves all of you at home very much. He doesn’t have to tell you but they way he adores all his children (and your Mama too)when he talks about you kids….
Your Papa sacrifices a lot of things(being away in some swampy region) to provide for all of you.But I know you knew he loves you.
Bro’.. kalau culture kita ada concept ‘godfather’ like they do in the West, then I unanimously vote for you to be godfather to Afiq. Bung Zawi can godfather to Aqil. But for the princess, who ah? 😉
Hmm, thanks for reminding the kids of ‘parents’ sacrifice’, bro…
Comment by tokasid — November 2, 2008 @ 11:47 pm |
Happy Birthday to everyone’s who’s celebrating a birthday in your family.
By the way, I don’t believe in that old wives’ tale. The memories that you make together with Afiq as he is growing up will contribute to your closeness.
Cheers MS!
Yes JT, hope that ‘old wives tales’ is bollocks too! Thanks -MS
Comment by J.T. — November 2, 2008 @ 11:58 pm |
yo afiq, happy besday, my man. oh yes, as well as the rest ofcos.
Mat,
Afiq shares the same birthdate as my youngest nephew, who turns one yesterday. since i dont have a kid of my own, for the past year this boy enjoys quite a chunk of my attention which -apreview-like how being a dad is like-, since his dad is always away on business trips.
*eh bro, anak2 kak Intan tu sape nama diorang ya? saje je nak tau…nak panjangkan komen ni ha…muahahaaa…
Eh, bro’ ni kalu Pinky baca kalu abih laa hang. 🙂
No need to ‘preview’ maa, just dive into it! Eh, say Happy Besday too your nephew too ya? -MS
Comment by Kerp — November 3, 2008 @ 3:05 am |
Salam bro,
Wah! So many birthdays near to each other! My best regards and wishes to your dad and sis!
Thanks bro.. all the wishes are being forwarded.
Good thing I’m not home… teruk nak kena host birthday banyak2~ 🙂
Comment by cakapaje — November 4, 2008 @ 12:32 am |
Salaam Mat
Happy birthday Afiq! By the look of it, he has the potential to be a heartbreaker!
Btw Mat, I sent you an e-mail in reply to the one you sent me the other day. My apologies, I’m a bit tardy lately..sibuk sikit.
Hmm, you’re not the 1st to say that about my boy. 😉
I know you’ve been busy.. our prayers for a Hajj Mabrur this year Kak… Take care. -MS.
Comment by Kama — November 4, 2008 @ 8:15 am |
Family Day 2008…
Living with unresolved problems”It makes a difference to have friends who care if we hurt.”Basic Text, p. 54For most of our problems, the solution is simple. We call our sponsor, pray, work The Steps,……
Trackback by My Journey To Recovery — November 4, 2008 @ 10:58 pm |
Ah, my trackback has arrived safely. Didn’t know you’re on WordPress too. Luckily I saw a link with your name on it on Cik Elviza’s Write Away. OK I admit, I was scrutinizing every details on her blog. Sheesh…! Why did I used Kak the other day?
See the number one comment up above? I’m sorry if I messed things up? Didn’t know it’s suppose to be hush hush.
Anyway, happy belated birthday to all concerned, Afiq, Intan, Pa and Pacha.
Greetings and lots of love from a Langiang living in Kuale Kangsor.
p/s Ntah camne Mr. Artimus dapat tau Ghadzali Shapie pernah accident helicopter dulu2. Agaknya Mr. Artimus p menuntut ilmu jatuh heli kot dgn Ghadzali. Tu yg buat Van Zant begang dgn Mr. Artimus sebab dia tak tahan bau kemayan. Al-kisahnya, lagu ‘That Smell’ tu ekoran dari badan Mr. Artimus berbau kemayan…
I can help but but break into guffaws, bro’… about the Artimus Pyle-of-shit story. Latest story in a similar vein is drummer Travis Barker, ex- Blink 182. Probably connected to the Ghazalee Shafee story too. The only difference with King Ghaz and these rockers are the drummers had lacerations, contusions, 2nd to 3rd degree burns what-have-you. Our King escaped unscathed. How did he do it? Is it the kemayan? -MS 🙂
Thanks for the wishes Bro’ Langgiang!
Comment by ArahMan7 — November 5, 2008 @ 1:06 am |
Brader Mat,
I had forgotten to check this blog and was only keeping an eye on the other one due to it being conveniently RSS-ed at the sidebar. I am ashamed! Well, looks like I’ll have to RSS this one in the browser – something that I should have done sooner.
I don’t know what to say when a post is about “family” or “relationships”; aspects of which I’m poor at. But I used to be good enough with both once… Well, all I can say is that, You are a good father, a good guy, Mat.
Say, that’s real nice, Mat. I’m not too hot with ‘relationships’ bro. But I do try. I really do. Thanks.
Comment by cendana287 — November 5, 2008 @ 3:21 am |
Cantik betul gambar anak teruna kau yg paling atas skali tu … bravo!!!!
Comment by Lan — November 6, 2008 @ 5:24 pm |
Bro, you should be so proud. He’s gonna be a heart-breaker (like the old block? hehe) Wasn’t it only ‘yesterday’ he bamboozled you for a new bicycle and cost you a bump in the rump for added value?
Yeah, time flies. Watch out for his move for the motorised two-wheeler ‘cos the old one does not ‘fit’ anymore.
Comment by ewoon — November 12, 2008 @ 9:08 am |
[…] to write at Mat Salo’s WordPress blog (his `other’ blog after the one at Blogspot) in Time flies and waits for no one. I had written about this before but I’m writing it again: Having followed his blogs and seen […]
Pingback by TDSotM: Time « Recovery from Drug Addiction — November 12, 2008 @ 7:31 pm |
Let me add another scorpio to your already long list. ME! Mine was on Nov 4th. You see the trend there? All the great ones are Scorpios! hehehe.
Comment by Farina — December 2, 2008 @ 1:33 am |
Eh…long time baru I sampai sini. I have to ask u laa…How come your son and your sisters lawa and u look pecah rumah shifty? heheheheh…just kidding bro. hugs
Comment by galadriel — March 31, 2009 @ 7:11 pm |
Ee.. macam mana I look like pecah rumah shifty nih? It’s all in the genes lah. Mine must be some mutation or something.. 🙂
Comment by madsalos — April 7, 2009 @ 10:03 pm |