I found another gem of a story. 

By Syed Akbar Ali

Egypt's Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa announced that "travelers marriages," known as nikah mesyar in Arabic, are legitimate unless banned by the state.

Nikah mesyar is a Sunni Muslim marriage contract in which the woman gives up many of the rights she would be afforded under a traditional marriage contract. (Folks, somehow this sounds like some arms length transaction in the vice trade).

Although the marriage is official, the couple does not live in the same house and the husband is not required to provide for the wife or for any children they may have.

Such marriages are considered an alternative for people who wish to get married but cannot afford a traditional marriage. It is called the "travelers marriage" since it often takes place when men are away from their wives and wish to have relations with another woman.

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The broadband connection in Malaysia has always been slow since its launch in...err early 2000? But today is the worst! I can't even load my  webmails. How am I suppose to work like this? Why am I paying good money for such unreliability?

Already being in a foul mood, I was looking for an outlet. Guess who came to mind? The wonderful people at TM Net. That should be easy right? Just call them and let them know what I think about the internet connection.

Lo' and behold this is where their incompetence starts. 

There is no hotline number on my TM bill! But nevermind, maybe they are on an environmental campaign and wanted to save ink. I google'd "tmnet hotline". Obviously I'd click on the first link which was the official TM Net website - www.tm.net.my/streamyx. Click on customer care after many clicks deep into the website and ta-da their hotline: 1300-88-9515.

Again another disappointment; the line was engaged for the longest time. You could imagine my frustration by now. I was already rehearsing my "fuck you" speech in my mind, if only I could get them on the phone. Browsing around I found another TM website but this time its www.tm.com.my! DOT COM?! Previously it was DOT NET! Why? Why?? Why 2 separate websites with different info? Sigh, again clicked on customer care after a few clicks. 

This was what they displayed on their website:

At the Service Centres you can make enquiries about TM's telephone services or get help from our friendly operators to connect your domestic or international calls.

100- Homeline/Businesslin
101- Operator Assisted Calls
103- Directory Enquiries

Bear in mind I was using my mobile to call them. I dialed 100. Maxis being my operator, I got an error tone. Wtf?! Tried again (I shouldn't have doubted myself) and still the same tone. Then it occurred to me. Why don't I click on the number listing, there might be another number. True enough Streamyx/TM Net didn't disappoint.

"100 is TM's Customer Service Centre for all your enquiries and requests regarding TM, Celcom and TM Net. Non-Celcom customers call from mobile phones can reach our Customer Service Centre at 1 300 888 123."

A new number! A freaking new number! Maybe it's not literally a new number but it's new to me. They could have at least printed in on my bill. Dialed it and finally I was ringing. 

Time now is 15:20 (yes I was keeping track).

That's answering to my site and our short roadtrip!

The site is up and running. We changed servers and I hope that you find the site loading faster than before. On my side, it definitely is and because of that, I will be updating my blog more often. If you left any comments in the past couple of days, I've reposted them under my username - The Day Dreymer. Thank you for being patient with us

Our evening trip to Teluk Intan was definitely too short. We promised Jamie and hubby David that we will be back soon. Jamie has been bugging me for years to make a trip to Teluk Intan and I finally did on her wedding.

Will try to upload my pics tonight and story you about our roadtrip and how weddings are in small town Teluk Intan. And guess what? They finally have a drive-thru McDonald's which is pretty much the big hype in this sleepy bay. I am so mean. I just like to make fun of Jamie's hometown because it makes her mad! Any takers to join us on a roadtrip to Teluk Intan and Pangkor?!

G'night.

Imagine you're at McDonald's.

You: Can I have a Big Mac Value Meal Large, an Apple Pie, a Chocolate Sundae and Diet Coke please...

Cashier: Will that be all?

You: Oh wait, scrap the Diet Coke, just gimme Coke! I keep forgetting, I'm on a "Prayer Diet".

Coming soon: Fatwa on yoga

Pray to find peace and good health 

He said involved "chanting mantras while in various positions".

"Why should we look for other alternatives to exercise and search for peace? Yoga could cause (Muslims) to stray from their faith because its movements are according to the style and traditions of Hinduism," he said.
Zakaria added that Muslims should instead apply the Islamic teachings such as prayers to find peace and good health.

"If the Muslims want a healthy body, prayers are the right choice... why must we find alternate ways... a single mistake can deviate our teachings as yoga movements follow the style and tradition of Hinduism," he was reported as saying.

Harussani Zakaria (right), a controversial cleric Perak, said the government-backed fatwa council would soon release a decree that would decide if Muslims were allowed to practise yoga.

"If it involves any faith or religious elements it is definitely not permissible but if it is just a form of exercise that is all right," Harussani told AFP. 

"Muslims cannot practice yoga in its original form because it involves another religion," he said in response to a call to ban Muslims from engaging in yoga.

The practice of yoga, a popular stress-buster in Kuala Lumpur, dates back thousands of years in India, where it was a favourite of holy men before becoming hugely popular internationally.

Ban on tomboys