"and I only have eyes for you"
Or so thats how the song goes anyway. If only such simple application from lyrical verse to real life was possible.
Unfortunately or fortuitously, this is not the case. Love is but a silly game that we taunt ourselves with. With painful headaches and equally euphoric heart races there is no limits to the emotions conjured in this magical encounter.
However like all magic tricks, it is but a farce, a sleight of the hear. Nothing but sheer illusion that leaves you embittered at the end and yet, quietly wanting for more.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, October 08, 2010
Dum dum dum dum
Lyrical boredom. Mundane, pedantic rantings as common as a crow near food.
I was pondering on the meaning of all this nonsense. This incessant dabble I hear on the airwaves. What is it with these people? Do they understand what it means to produce and listen to good music? Well if not good, at least audible and pleasant ones.
But no, you have your rappers and your rockers; with having more spunk rather than the lyrical genius that we traditionally ascribed to this elite class of individuals called musicians. Did you know of Dizzy or Coltrane? Did you hear their sensual beats and feel their cool vibes pulsating, breathing, giving life? Of course you can't. You are too busy being dazzled by your strobe lights and all other forms of visual spectacles that distract you from the actual purpose of music.
In this day and age. The watered down, bastard child of "music" is genetically defective and has no more listening potential than watching a piece of bread mold grow, develop maggots and become completely disfigured.
I can hear the sounds on the airwaves, but I cannot listen to them anymore.
I was pondering on the meaning of all this nonsense. This incessant dabble I hear on the airwaves. What is it with these people? Do they understand what it means to produce and listen to good music? Well if not good, at least audible and pleasant ones.
But no, you have your rappers and your rockers; with having more spunk rather than the lyrical genius that we traditionally ascribed to this elite class of individuals called musicians. Did you know of Dizzy or Coltrane? Did you hear their sensual beats and feel their cool vibes pulsating, breathing, giving life? Of course you can't. You are too busy being dazzled by your strobe lights and all other forms of visual spectacles that distract you from the actual purpose of music.
In this day and age. The watered down, bastard child of "music" is genetically defective and has no more listening potential than watching a piece of bread mold grow, develop maggots and become completely disfigured.
I can hear the sounds on the airwaves, but I cannot listen to them anymore.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Lyrics. Fail.
I happened to turn on the radio recently and stumbled upon a Ke$ha's song "Tik Tok". I had heard it before, but today I paid special attention to the lyrics of the song and not just the catchy tune and the crazy bass.
Lo and Behold, I found a verse that was so perplexing I had to listen to it again (on my itouch, they don't replay on the radio. duh). The verse goes "When I leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack". O.K.... for all you underage teeny innocent boys and girls out there, Jack stands for Jack Daniels, a form of bourbon or American Whiskey. Now imagine gargling your mouth with that alcoholic (80 proof) liquid. Ouch!
Not satisfied with the thought of that, I tried it. Unfortunately I had no bourbon, so I settled on a McCallen (such a waste right?! The things I do to satisfy you readers; if any), and boy oh boy it was painful. It felt like gargling with Listerine when you have ulcers in your mouth. Worse still, whiskey has this strong spicy sensation when it touches your tongue! OMG it burned!
Then it occurred to me how stupid the lyrics really is. Perhaps Ke$ha needed a rhyme or something provocative, either way it sure does not reflect any thinking or songwriting in it (Yes Sir, I am dis-ing Kesha cause she is as good a singer/ writer as I am at riding a bike). Singers and song writers must think before they pen a song. Artist like Rachel Yamagata, Amos Lee even Usher do that.
On the flip side, consumers need to filter what they listen too. Just like how not all that glitters is Gold, a good beat does not necessarily make a good song. Lyrics count too.
Now to wash away that acrid taste on my tongue.
So
Lo and Behold, I found a verse that was so perplexing I had to listen to it again (on my itouch, they don't replay on the radio. duh). The verse goes "When I leave, brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack". O.K.... for all you underage teeny innocent boys and girls out there, Jack stands for Jack Daniels, a form of bourbon or American Whiskey. Now imagine gargling your mouth with that alcoholic (80 proof) liquid. Ouch!
Not satisfied with the thought of that, I tried it. Unfortunately I had no bourbon, so I settled on a McCallen (such a waste right?! The things I do to satisfy you readers; if any), and boy oh boy it was painful. It felt like gargling with Listerine when you have ulcers in your mouth. Worse still, whiskey has this strong spicy sensation when it touches your tongue! OMG it burned!
Then it occurred to me how stupid the lyrics really is. Perhaps Ke$ha needed a rhyme or something provocative, either way it sure does not reflect any thinking or songwriting in it (Yes Sir, I am dis-ing Kesha cause she is as good a singer/ writer as I am at riding a bike). Singers and song writers must think before they pen a song. Artist like Rachel Yamagata, Amos Lee even Usher do that.
On the flip side, consumers need to filter what they listen too. Just like how not all that glitters is Gold, a good beat does not necessarily make a good song. Lyrics count too.
Now to wash away that acrid taste on my tongue.
So
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Rude, Rude, Rude People
"If youth only knew: if age only could." Henri Estienne (1470 - 1520)
Respecting our elders would seem to be a universal value and a moral value that one would have been instilled from a very, very young age. After all, respecting your parents (an elder in their own rights) would have been mandated.
As you grow up and entered school, you were thought to respect the "words" from older people and to remain "reverend in their presence". You would have been thought to pay attention to what they say and most of all, leave whatever snide comments that you have to later. You were thought to pay attention to these elders even though what they say may be preposterous and go against all the laws of science ( I once had a hearty conversation with an old man which thought he served in world war one, which would have made him a 10 year old soldier. Right…).
Yet, how is it that you can confer such respect to these people and not have the dignity to give up your seat to them when all laws of science and logic point to the fact that they need the seat more than you?
This issue was spawned from my daily commute back home from work. My bus stop is at
Last week, when the bus stopped at
Instead of giving up their seats, (as appropriated by the sign) they continued to sit as the two elderly couples stood there, their frail hands barely hanging on to the railings as the bus lurched onwards. This couple hung on for the entire length of their journey and got off a stop before me, visibly battered from that ordeal.
Two themes come to mind in the aftermath of this event. Firstly, the apparent lack of respect and compassion the youths of my age have for their elders. More importantly, the theme of personal apathy and desensitized behavior. As much as I was shocked at the youth, I was even more taken aback at my nonchalance about it.
In the new scientist article titled "Respect for elders 'may be universal' in primates", the article illustrates how primates are similar to us human being and how these primates will pay respect and pay special attention to their elders. Unfortunately, this episode has made me rethink that notion.
Perhaps we are not as similar to primates after all. At least they respect their elders.
From that episode, I decided to research if this incident was just an isolated experience or one that was recurring in our daily lives. Upon talking to my friends and reading demographic reports, I realize that these cases were not remote. They were rather rampant, to say the least.
However, let us move on to the more pressing issue at hand. How was it that I could stand at on the bus and stand (no pun intended) for such a behavior? Where was Human morality to tug at my brain and give those “young punks” a good chiding?
I think the answer to that boils down to one thing; indifference. As much I would have liked to ‘tell them off’, I just did not have the strength to do so. I adopted this, “let me mind my own business” attitude. Unfortunately, upon reflection, I realize that I should have done something. It would have been the right thing to do.
Many a times in life we bear witness to situations in which we are clear about who is right and who is wrong. Yet, many a times, we choose not to intervene. We choose to ‘close our eyes’, hoping that the matter will slip by and aligning ourselves to a state of “forced oblivion”.
We do not want to meddle in other people’s business. We want to remain neutral. Unfortunately, we CANNOT remain neutral all the time. We need to interfere when the situation calls for it. As a youth in
And so the mantle has been passed onto us to address this. Be it a moral obligation, a societal obligation, a need to express your true emotions or just Karma, I think being standing up to address these issues is crucial for the betterment of everyone’s lives.
Although I cannot spell out the benefits to you, I can tell you that by expressing how you feel. You will not live to regret it later.
So, the next time you are commuting or any where else and you see an act that goes against your conscience, remember to tell that little bugger off. Who knows, we might live up to the expectations of our species after all.
XOXO.
As I pen, well-type, this post, I am reminded of the lyrics from RENT. "525 600 minutes, 525 600 moments so dear... blah, blah blah.... seasons of love...." So it has been more than a year since I visited this site, let alone post a new entry. However like an annual pilgrimage to to some sacred and holy site, I feel that this 'offering' to the demi-god of social media is long and way overdue.
The 15 months that I have been away has been amazing. Firstly, I have managed to break free of the manacles that bounded me to the "Emerald City" (Army), I have landed myself a rather comfortable- yet challenging- job and will be heading to Europe during the Spring of May. I guess thare's only one phrase to describe such a profound state of rest, and unfortunately; my mono-language friends; it is not in English but French.
That phrase is : laissez faire et laissez passez. (easy living and easy going)
Yes! I feel reborn, as if the yolk of suppression has been lifted from me. Like a frog that has been lifted out from his well, I can see so many new things in which I could not see earlier, as if I am wearing 3D glasses!
No more will I have to face the stupidity of the office-ers, and no more will I listen to the incessant whining of the soldier. Freedom from listening to their incessant chatter is a reprieve so great, I find the proper adjectives to describe it.
OK now, time to enjoy this new found freedom. Adieu
The 15 months that I have been away has been amazing. Firstly, I have managed to break free of the manacles that bounded me to the "Emerald City" (Army), I have landed myself a rather comfortable- yet challenging- job and will be heading to Europe during the Spring of May. I guess thare's only one phrase to describe such a profound state of rest, and unfortunately; my mono-language friends; it is not in English but French.
That phrase is : laissez faire et laissez passez. (easy living and easy going)
Yes! I feel reborn, as if the yolk of suppression has been lifted from me. Like a frog that has been lifted out from his well, I can see so many new things in which I could not see earlier, as if I am wearing 3D glasses!
No more will I have to face the stupidity of the office-ers, and no more will I listen to the incessant whining of the soldier. Freedom from listening to their incessant chatter is a reprieve so great, I find the proper adjectives to describe it.
OK now, time to enjoy this new found freedom. Adieu
Monday, December 01, 2008
Uncle, Melamine Utensils Please
I have always been the kind of person to run back to the familiar, the familiar smell of home cooked food, the familiar sights of my residence, the familiar feeling of sleeping on my bed its contours forming a nest for my body. The unfamiliar is interesting, but ultimately left to the adventurers and the misguided. Whats worse then the unfamiliar? well, its the feeling of the familiar becoming all to alien.
Case in point, NEWTON HAWKER CENTRE. I must say that I had fond memories of the old Newton. Yes the one with the with really small stool like chairs and even smaller circular tables, where the light Blue paint tried in vain to hide the rust that had accumulated throughout the years there. Yes the Newton of old, where you were greeted with a warm humid fog before you even entered. No this was not any ordinary fog, it smelled of the wonderful hawker fare on offer. The Char Kuay Teow, the Hokkien Mee, the Chai Tao Kuey, the Stingrays, the Oyster Omelet, the BBQ chicken wings, etc. Yes my friends, that was a heavenly scent like sweet nectar from a rare flower in full bloom. The only thing that was better than the smell, was the the taste. Oh! the froth from the teh tarik, that spicy mee pok ta that seemed to transcend the spicy o meter, and could only be extinguished with some sour sop dessert or some sugarcane. The blend of old school charm, good food and the low attention to hygiene seemed to be the most brilliant formula that made Newton, well, Newton.
You could imagine my utter dismay and shock when I went to the new Newton. After a hectic week in the Emerald City, I was hoping for a reminiscent of her old school past. What I got was a slaughtered version of Newton, that saved for the name and a small nuclear of stalls, had nothing that brought the throngs of people it did just a few years ago. The stalls had become generic, the seating arrangements so awkward, the hawkers, so lifeless.
The food was worse, for a higher price and a smaller portion, I got to taste the "toast of Singapore", the epitome of Singapore's "hawker fare". In fact it did nothing to represent Singapore's quality food. I swear, I could find better food at the coffee shop next door. The hokkien mee could well be called noodles, the mee pok had by "decent" seal of approval, nothing like its 'die die must try' status bestowed by some television programme(i wonder how you got featured). The stingray was 'ok' but not the best I have had. And the teh tarik only "flew" once. I felt like the bigger clown getting fooled into buying from that store. All in all, it was a farce, a sad combination of gimmicks and bad food all served in Styrofoam plates and plastic cups.
You know what I say? I say, Give me back my melamine tainted utensils. I don't care if its hygienic or lacking in presentation. If it adds to the taste, then I am having it. I say, dear Mr Hawker, get yourself together, I can feed your excuses of cuisine to the 'old guard" and they would spit it out and take laxatives to flush whats left out of their system. Theres no more oomph, no more sweet melancholy. Give me back my NEWTON HAWKER CENTRE. I taste generic food whose taste could have easily come from flavoring.
I don't know what it is, it could be the sweat I drip when I eat, or the confusing ambience , but I love the old newton, the new one's just cold, lifeless. So yea, I can now only imagine the tastes and flavors that the old Newton brought, unable to realise them ever again. Viva la Modernisation.
Case in point, NEWTON HAWKER CENTRE. I must say that I had fond memories of the old Newton. Yes the one with the with really small stool like chairs and even smaller circular tables, where the light Blue paint tried in vain to hide the rust that had accumulated throughout the years there. Yes the Newton of old, where you were greeted with a warm humid fog before you even entered. No this was not any ordinary fog, it smelled of the wonderful hawker fare on offer. The Char Kuay Teow, the Hokkien Mee, the Chai Tao Kuey, the Stingrays, the Oyster Omelet, the BBQ chicken wings, etc. Yes my friends, that was a heavenly scent like sweet nectar from a rare flower in full bloom. The only thing that was better than the smell, was the the taste. Oh! the froth from the teh tarik, that spicy mee pok ta that seemed to transcend the spicy o meter, and could only be extinguished with some sour sop dessert or some sugarcane. The blend of old school charm, good food and the low attention to hygiene seemed to be the most brilliant formula that made Newton, well, Newton.
You could imagine my utter dismay and shock when I went to the new Newton. After a hectic week in the Emerald City, I was hoping for a reminiscent of her old school past. What I got was a slaughtered version of Newton, that saved for the name and a small nuclear of stalls, had nothing that brought the throngs of people it did just a few years ago. The stalls had become generic, the seating arrangements so awkward, the hawkers, so lifeless.
The food was worse, for a higher price and a smaller portion, I got to taste the "toast of Singapore", the epitome of Singapore's "hawker fare". In fact it did nothing to represent Singapore's quality food. I swear, I could find better food at the coffee shop next door. The hokkien mee could well be called noodles, the mee pok had by "decent" seal of approval, nothing like its 'die die must try' status bestowed by some television programme(i wonder how you got featured). The stingray was 'ok' but not the best I have had. And the teh tarik only "flew" once. I felt like the bigger clown getting fooled into buying from that store. All in all, it was a farce, a sad combination of gimmicks and bad food all served in Styrofoam plates and plastic cups.
You know what I say? I say, Give me back my melamine tainted utensils. I don't care if its hygienic or lacking in presentation. If it adds to the taste, then I am having it. I say, dear Mr Hawker, get yourself together, I can feed your excuses of cuisine to the 'old guard" and they would spit it out and take laxatives to flush whats left out of their system. Theres no more oomph, no more sweet melancholy. Give me back my NEWTON HAWKER CENTRE. I taste generic food whose taste could have easily come from flavoring.
I don't know what it is, it could be the sweat I drip when I eat, or the confusing ambience , but I love the old newton, the new one's just cold, lifeless. So yea, I can now only imagine the tastes and flavors that the old Newton brought, unable to realise them ever again. Viva la Modernisation.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Ritual
Well I have been dodging blogging for some time now. Its a bit difficult to describe this love hate relationship that I have with inmysenses.
On one hand I simply cannot enough of get the sheer bliss of exorcising whatever angst and inner demons that I have suppressed in my life. Yet, I can't bear to sit in front of my computer and perform this ritual. For you entertainment buffs, its like watching GOSSIP GIRL and not wanting the know the ending. On one hand, you want to watch what happens to Serena and our all so innocent Dan, yet you don't really want to see that happy ending. You feelin' me?
Well, like Gossip Girl, I cannot take it no more.The unknown and yet uncontrollable urge to blog has taken over. So here I am.
So, my parents have been gone for more than a week now and I must say solitude is not all such a bad thing. The harsh silence of the house has become a rather sweet melody that I enjoy humming to. Only to be broken by the smokey voices of Mrs Fitzgerald and Mr Sinatra, this is my version of a quantum amount of solace. Well I must say that this hiatus has been good for me to contemplate life in general.
I am gravid with thoughts and ideas. I am smitten by melancholy. I think its high time that I really reconnect with my friends I have met over the years. The Emerald City is a festering ground for failed relationships. Also, I have been thinking of becoming more laid back, I guess articles that quote stress as the major contributor to the common illness, has flash-backed and dawned on me. So here I am trying to me nice and more laid back. Ironically enough, its pretty stressful to change myself. (RAWR)
So now, as my purging is near complete, I guess this parent-less has been nothing short of interesting. Ideas in hand and resolve carelessly left behind, I venture forward to life. Thankfully I got God to help me. Can't see myself venturing into this without some divine intervention.
(In the spirit of Gossip Girl)
XOXO
On one hand I simply cannot enough of get the sheer bliss of exorcising whatever angst and inner demons that I have suppressed in my life. Yet, I can't bear to sit in front of my computer and perform this ritual. For you entertainment buffs, its like watching GOSSIP GIRL and not wanting the know the ending. On one hand, you want to watch what happens to Serena and our all so innocent Dan, yet you don't really want to see that happy ending. You feelin' me?
Well, like Gossip Girl, I cannot take it no more.The unknown and yet uncontrollable urge to blog has taken over. So here I am.
So, my parents have been gone for more than a week now and I must say solitude is not all such a bad thing. The harsh silence of the house has become a rather sweet melody that I enjoy humming to. Only to be broken by the smokey voices of Mrs Fitzgerald and Mr Sinatra, this is my version of a quantum amount of solace. Well I must say that this hiatus has been good for me to contemplate life in general.
I am gravid with thoughts and ideas. I am smitten by melancholy. I think its high time that I really reconnect with my friends I have met over the years. The Emerald City is a festering ground for failed relationships. Also, I have been thinking of becoming more laid back, I guess articles that quote stress as the major contributor to the common illness, has flash-backed and dawned on me. So here I am trying to me nice and more laid back. Ironically enough, its pretty stressful to change myself. (RAWR)
So now, as my purging is near complete, I guess this parent-less has been nothing short of interesting. Ideas in hand and resolve carelessly left behind, I venture forward to life. Thankfully I got God to help me. Can't see myself venturing into this without some divine intervention.
(In the spirit of Gossip Girl)
XOXO
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Blog and Life Resuscitation
Its sad, almost tragic. What am I talking about? The state of my blog of course. I owe its dilapidated state due to the mundane living that I have been experiencing recently. The recent months have been an anti thesis to the stock market. There is no volatility, no highs, no lows, surreal sedentary. Its no wonder that there is nothing to talk about.
Like a black and white film in slow motion. I feel like the only guy standing still in a busy train station while everyone rushes about, doing their daily affairs. (I think I said this before).Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be emo or feel depress. Its just a salient reflection of what I am feeling now. I am lackadaisical. I am sluggish. I am bored stiff with this Emerald City!
Yet as life continues in cruise control. I can't help but feel a greater appreciation for her nuances, her quietness that paves a way unfamiliar melody,peaceful and calm some thing which has eluded most of us kids for the past 12 years. Like a distant star that appears to blink, its all but visual trickery, like how the star's light emits constantly, so my life sails by steadily.
It may seem contrary, but come to think of it I am beginning to like this foreign life of mine. No so much for the lack of women but for the lack of personal worries. For example, last week's only worry was, who the hell bought those 4 AK47s at Zouk on Sat. Not really your "bailout" decision/worry. Its great. Like a third person watching the world whizzes by. Like the man enjoying his cup of cappuccino in DeliFrance while watching the busy office people rush by in the rain. How all so fantastic.
But can't wait for the uni holidays, maybe it would inject a little excitement to Ian's consistency. I am still young you know.. resuscitation
Monday, September 29, 2008
"It'll Be Just As Quiet When I Leave, Like It Was When I First Came Here"
Bonjour Monsieur/ Madam and all you Madamoiselles. So I rolled into a month of French class, and I can't say that I have become those fictitious French lovers. My French does not swoon women, it causes them to fall, and roll in laughter that is.
Well, I am in one of my melancholic moods once again. Wondering how the pleathora of friendships made in JC are slowly fading into nothing-ness. Friends slowly assimilating themselves into different social networks or continents. Oblivious to their gradual departure.
I seem to be stuck in a silent movie. Where the main character just stands in the middle of a square (or train station) while everyone else is walking along their way, and in fast forward. Well, as I am hit my the on rushing revelation that people move one, let me take this time to tell you me friends that I am truly blessed to meet you.
So as the credits role and Rachel Yamagata's "quiet" comes to an end. I think my melancholy has once again be kept in check again. But save for the tears and the fact that I still have a cadre of friends. Its all very depressing. Very depressing.
Adieu
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Lamentation
While listening to "season of love", the OST of RENT the musical, I just wondered how pessimistic that song was. As if 525800 mins were all that we really had. I mean can't we sub divide it to to view even those precious seconds? Well maybe the watch was not as complex as it was then. Food for thought.
Well after that rather forgettable lamentation, I wondered how life was a tad bit mundane now. Life in the Emerald City has not been all that exciting. I mean sure, pure regimentation and discipline create predictability and I don't really like surprises. But I want some thing more. Hopefully those French and driving classes would help. Its all rather surreal to me at the moment.
I guess its the transition phase of life. A pity that the girls are not enjoying this phase. We could all use with some 'hang' time. But no, they go on with the usual monotonous cycle of education. Learning more to learn more. wondering about the future and the job prospects. Instead here I am completely clueless as to what I want to do only thinking about the 'now' and not even giving a fleeting thought about the 'future'. The dichotomy is obvious and worst of all, I seem in no hurry to consider the later.
As I finish my glass of dark rum and lime, I think I will reserve those thoughts for another time. No need to rush, its time to take it easy and try to enjoy the Edmerald City as much as I can.
Music of the type:
Artist: Bananarama
Song: Love in the first degree/ Venus
Well after that rather forgettable lamentation, I wondered how life was a tad bit mundane now. Life in the Emerald City has not been all that exciting. I mean sure, pure regimentation and discipline create predictability and I don't really like surprises. But I want some thing more. Hopefully those French and driving classes would help. Its all rather surreal to me at the moment.
I guess its the transition phase of life. A pity that the girls are not enjoying this phase. We could all use with some 'hang' time. But no, they go on with the usual monotonous cycle of education. Learning more to learn more. wondering about the future and the job prospects. Instead here I am completely clueless as to what I want to do only thinking about the 'now' and not even giving a fleeting thought about the 'future'. The dichotomy is obvious and worst of all, I seem in no hurry to consider the later.
As I finish my glass of dark rum and lime, I think I will reserve those thoughts for another time. No need to rush, its time to take it easy and try to enjoy the Edmerald City as much as I can.
Music of the type:
Artist: Bananarama
Song: Love in the first degree/ Venus
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Facebook Memories
Well, even though the medium may change, the effect is still as profound. While I was surfing facebook, I stumbled upon a montage of photos during the AC days. Something that somehow awash my memories of the rolling good times that I had not too long ago. Those images were so recent yet so distant. As though they had happened a decade ago. But well, they are less than half a year old.
That old melancholy rose up again, like a tidal, it fills me up with the excitement that I felt when I was still studying and not wearing green. Its amazing how we don't really miss something till it is not there. How we were all so eager to grow up and 'face' the world only to regret it later and wished that we could reverse the clock and go back to our infancy. The innocence and clueless-ness of adolescence life. Tis, we are now made to face the maturity of our soon to be adulthood. More aware of the situation and more distinctively clear of the material concerns encircling our lives.
I can't help but look back at those JC days with great joy and regret. Joy for all the good times that it had generated, for the great friendship that it had bloomed and all the quirky moments that it ensued. Yet, I am tainted with regret. Perhaps, I could have done more in AC, perhaps, I could have made more friends, Be a better senior? (Nah) and perhaps, I could have made it last longer ( that idea has not left my mind since j2). Well all that said and done, all that I can do now is muster the remainder of my memories and jot them down into this journal of sorts. All I can do is can them in the world wide web. SO that when I am down and alone and feeling blue, there would be a source to remember them. Maybe one day the class of 2aa5/2007 will sit down and laugh back at these times. But till then, as scan the facebook profiles again, I can't help but feel a sense of school patriotism welling inside me. I guess, and I hope that the best is yet to come.
Music for the type:
Tittle: Round About Midnight
Artist: Gotan Projet
That old melancholy rose up again, like a tidal, it fills me up with the excitement that I felt when I was still studying and not wearing green. Its amazing how we don't really miss something till it is not there. How we were all so eager to grow up and 'face' the world only to regret it later and wished that we could reverse the clock and go back to our infancy. The innocence and clueless-ness of adolescence life. Tis, we are now made to face the maturity of our soon to be adulthood. More aware of the situation and more distinctively clear of the material concerns encircling our lives.
I can't help but look back at those JC days with great joy and regret. Joy for all the good times that it had generated, for the great friendship that it had bloomed and all the quirky moments that it ensued. Yet, I am tainted with regret. Perhaps, I could have done more in AC, perhaps, I could have made more friends, Be a better senior? (Nah) and perhaps, I could have made it last longer ( that idea has not left my mind since j2). Well all that said and done, all that I can do now is muster the remainder of my memories and jot them down into this journal of sorts. All I can do is can them in the world wide web. SO that when I am down and alone and feeling blue, there would be a source to remember them. Maybe one day the class of 2aa5/2007 will sit down and laugh back at these times. But till then, as scan the facebook profiles again, I can't help but feel a sense of school patriotism welling inside me. I guess, and I hope that the best is yet to come.
Music for the type:
Tittle: Round About Midnight
Artist: Gotan Projet
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Hiatus
Ok, after a very long 4 month hiatus, I think I am back to blogging. I guess, the hectic life of post enlistment and of course the need to remain in contact with JC mates had taken a toll on my online time. But, as I said, I think I am back.
So much things have happened in the last few months, too much in fact to narrate it here on this blog. Instead, lets talk about the greatness of what is going to develop soon. Army has gone into cruise control- the constancy of it is amazing. The need to keep in touch with my friends have not been easy. Its hard to go from seeing people on an everyday basis to possibly a monthly basis. slowly but surely, it results a depreciating of contact. Like denatured tips of synapses, the efficient of friendships have fell. But it should be all good soon. Its not like friendship is a presidential campaign, is it?
Ok as i sink into my melancholic mood, I can't help but feel a sense of over expectation and surrealism. Its as if I am not really living this life. As in this phase of life is just a dream- a realistic one at that. 2 years, of carefree living, 2 years of not really doing anything and getting paid at that, well it does sound good.
As i try to pull my thoughts together, i just can't help but sink and render myself to my melancholy. So till the next time when I muster the strength to type again, adieu.
Music of the type:
Artist: AMY WINEHOUSE
Album: Frank
So much things have happened in the last few months, too much in fact to narrate it here on this blog. Instead, lets talk about the greatness of what is going to develop soon. Army has gone into cruise control- the constancy of it is amazing. The need to keep in touch with my friends have not been easy. Its hard to go from seeing people on an everyday basis to possibly a monthly basis. slowly but surely, it results a depreciating of contact. Like denatured tips of synapses, the efficient of friendships have fell. But it should be all good soon. Its not like friendship is a presidential campaign, is it?
Ok as i sink into my melancholic mood, I can't help but feel a sense of over expectation and surrealism. Its as if I am not really living this life. As in this phase of life is just a dream- a realistic one at that. 2 years, of carefree living, 2 years of not really doing anything and getting paid at that, well it does sound good.
As i try to pull my thoughts together, i just can't help but sink and render myself to my melancholy. So till the next time when I muster the strength to type again, adieu.
Music of the type:
Artist: AMY WINEHOUSE
Album: Frank
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
ENERGIZER
Like a clock that has ran out of batteries, so too has my blog stopped moving for this passage of time. And just like how time does not halt even though the clocks batteries have stopped, so too has my life been ticking away. Now, time to but batteries back into this blog.
Well well it has been close to 3 weeks since army came into my life, and boy it has been a roller coaster of a trip. Due to my absurd laziness, I will not be relating it to you now. But I will in the posts to come. Anyhow just to let you know, I am out of Tekong and back into civilization. And my experience awaits you avid readers.
PS: I work a day 'job' now so call me if you are free
Well well it has been close to 3 weeks since army came into my life, and boy it has been a roller coaster of a trip. Due to my absurd laziness, I will not be relating it to you now. But I will in the posts to come. Anyhow just to let you know, I am out of Tekong and back into civilization. And my experience awaits you avid readers.
PS: I work a day 'job' now so call me if you are free
Monday, January 21, 2008
One Circle
And so it is, 4 days remaining and there goes my freedom. It makes sense that this post is here, considering that you don't miss something until it is really gone. Think about this analogy: One day you do something wrong and your mum bans you from going out. Then being grounded and made to stay at home suddenly becomes sad and depressing. This is even though you have not been going out for the past few days and have been having a jolly good time at home.
You see when one is robbed of a certain liberty, he/she begins to treasure it even more. Its human nature I guess. Well I certainly feel this depression and sadness, as army will rob me of this freedom. The point I am trying to drive is this, do appreciate and treasure whatever you have now. I know that this will probably sound corny and seem like one of life's great quotes. But in actual fact this cannot be nearer to the truth. We go through our daily innings in life without seriously appreciating what she bears. We are so focused on tomorrow that we neglect today(another famous quote). Think about it, can you remember what you have done today or yesterday? Have we once stopped to think about the wonderful things that happened in life. Like how we witnessed acts of kindness in the office or school. When was the last time that you enjoyed a sunset?
If the answer to these questions are blanks, then its time for a serious reevaluation of our life. Although it is good to have a life driven by profits and other material trappings. How can we just use statistics and bankbooks to judge the overall satisfaction that we get. How can we say that Donald Trump is happier and leads a more meaningful life than a monk? Well, we cant. Going back to my point, its time we begin to treasure Life more. Take the time to reflect on what happened during the day. Ask yourself how your day went, and try to take note of the wonderful things that happened to you and around you. Treasure it. With all the bad news in this world, we can do with some positive reinforcement.
So I wrap this up this post feeling more refreshed and less dreading army, after all like life, maybe I will find happiness there. Maybe the army will bring more life stories to learn from and fond memories to cherish.
You see when one is robbed of a certain liberty, he/she begins to treasure it even more. Its human nature I guess. Well I certainly feel this depression and sadness, as army will rob me of this freedom. The point I am trying to drive is this, do appreciate and treasure whatever you have now. I know that this will probably sound corny and seem like one of life's great quotes. But in actual fact this cannot be nearer to the truth. We go through our daily innings in life without seriously appreciating what she bears. We are so focused on tomorrow that we neglect today(another famous quote). Think about it, can you remember what you have done today or yesterday? Have we once stopped to think about the wonderful things that happened in life. Like how we witnessed acts of kindness in the office or school. When was the last time that you enjoyed a sunset?
If the answer to these questions are blanks, then its time for a serious reevaluation of our life. Although it is good to have a life driven by profits and other material trappings. How can we just use statistics and bankbooks to judge the overall satisfaction that we get. How can we say that Donald Trump is happier and leads a more meaningful life than a monk? Well, we cant. Going back to my point, its time we begin to treasure Life more. Take the time to reflect on what happened during the day. Ask yourself how your day went, and try to take note of the wonderful things that happened to you and around you. Treasure it. With all the bad news in this world, we can do with some positive reinforcement.
So I wrap this up this post feeling more refreshed and less dreading army, after all like life, maybe I will find happiness there. Maybe the army will bring more life stories to learn from and fond memories to cherish.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Alright, one good post deserves a another eh. So this is dedicated to my friend, my loyal dog and in the eyes of Mr Loh, my gay buddy. Jerome. You have been there with me for at least the last one year and ten months, and I have to admit it has been a blast. Unlike you I remembered the first time I met you. We were auditioning for choir. For us it was a chance to get into ACJC. For you it was a breeze, singing and melodies came naturally to you. For me, it was sheer desperation, thus the unpolished gem joke. Anyhow yes, we both made it back but definitely through different means. You through singing, me through sheer favor.
And lo and behold we ended up in the same class. So it began a wonderful friendship. It seemed that we had gyming as a similar past time and that's how we got to know each other. I guess, spotting for someone did create trust and always being late for lesson due to gyming had the same profound effect.
Yes, even though you take my food all the time and continuously make fun of me and Sheranne, it somehow got us closer. Yes, you had your fair share of jokes of your flamboyant love life, although I doubt the girl you had in secondary school was any thing but buoyant. Hahaha. It was good to have you in math lessons and lectures, firstly cause your math was pretty good and cause you always had food with you. Especially during J1. Lessons were fun too, you were always a wonderful photo opportunity. You don't know the amount of times I have you sleeping in everything from GP to lit to math. Of course your clumsy manner and your proneness to be the butt of the jokes made it good fun. Remembered you had your pants the wrong way during PE? I still have the picture.
So even after graduation, we are still tight. And I guess that I am blessed to have you as a friend and I hope that you feel the same too. So here's to a wonderful friendship and one that will grow when we go to the army. Here's to mutual acquaintances turning into profound friendship.
And lo and behold we ended up in the same class. So it began a wonderful friendship. It seemed that we had gyming as a similar past time and that's how we got to know each other. I guess, spotting for someone did create trust and always being late for lesson due to gyming had the same profound effect.
Yes, even though you take my food all the time and continuously make fun of me and Sheranne, it somehow got us closer. Yes, you had your fair share of jokes of your flamboyant love life, although I doubt the girl you had in secondary school was any thing but buoyant. Hahaha. It was good to have you in math lessons and lectures, firstly cause your math was pretty good and cause you always had food with you. Especially during J1. Lessons were fun too, you were always a wonderful photo opportunity. You don't know the amount of times I have you sleeping in everything from GP to lit to math. Of course your clumsy manner and your proneness to be the butt of the jokes made it good fun. Remembered you had your pants the wrong way during PE? I still have the picture.
So even after graduation, we are still tight. And I guess that I am blessed to have you as a friend and I hope that you feel the same too. So here's to a wonderful friendship and one that will grow when we go to the army. Here's to mutual acquaintances turning into profound friendship.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
My Muse
Some people have told me that my blog is different and that it is not like your normal blog. Well, thank you for that. I take that as a great complement. Let me dedicate this post to talk about my inspiration for the subjects that I talk about on this page.
Well firstly, Inmysense was created to serve as a mirror to my life-obviously. But more importantly, it served as a vessel to express my frustrations at certain happenings around the world and to express my anger at the criminality over some vile and heinous acts against society on the whole. Posts such as 'confessions of a taxi driver', 'while I was being educated', 'somethings very wrong when you need to be educated by an 18 year old', etc. All serve as a foil to reveal the lack of etiquette, the struggles of the individuals in society and the lack of a positive in the world. I hope to create a human face and reveal to you that the situations such as poverty, lack of mannerisms, war,etc are all real and that they are affecting people and that they are not just statistics that you read in the papers. Breeding Humanity.
Secondly, I had created the blog with the intention of it not being just solely a narrative of my life. I mean do people really want to read a page where I tell you what I had for breakfast, lunch and dinner, what color underwear I wore or who I think is a bitch. Well, I don't think that is the case. Either way, I wanted the post to have a meaning behind it. Basically there is a moral to all the post and provide more commentary as oppose to a plain narration. This probably explains the lack of post that I have, it is not so much that I don't have anything to say as oppose to me having nothing meaningful to say.
I guess these are the 2 founding principles of my blog. Thus the name, inmysenses.
Well firstly, Inmysense was created to serve as a mirror to my life-obviously. But more importantly, it served as a vessel to express my frustrations at certain happenings around the world and to express my anger at the criminality over some vile and heinous acts against society on the whole. Posts such as 'confessions of a taxi driver', 'while I was being educated', 'somethings very wrong when you need to be educated by an 18 year old', etc. All serve as a foil to reveal the lack of etiquette, the struggles of the individuals in society and the lack of a positive in the world. I hope to create a human face and reveal to you that the situations such as poverty, lack of mannerisms, war,etc are all real and that they are affecting people and that they are not just statistics that you read in the papers. Breeding Humanity.
Secondly, I had created the blog with the intention of it not being just solely a narrative of my life. I mean do people really want to read a page where I tell you what I had for breakfast, lunch and dinner, what color underwear I wore or who I think is a bitch. Well, I don't think that is the case. Either way, I wanted the post to have a meaning behind it. Basically there is a moral to all the post and provide more commentary as oppose to a plain narration. This probably explains the lack of post that I have, it is not so much that I don't have anything to say as oppose to me having nothing meaningful to say.
I guess these are the 2 founding principles of my blog. Thus the name, inmysenses.
The Reeling Return to Reality
After much practice, the key pad now feels a whole lot better and more familiar, thus I will attempt to post another article.
Well, the army epiphany has smacked me again and voila! Its going to happen in about seven days! Whoah that was fast, the last thing I remembered was having finished that literature exam and thinking :"Now, I have all the time in the world to rest and relax". Well I guess time does fly when you are having fun- even as cheesy as that saying goes.
Well the 2 months of complete freedom, where I need not worry about another year in school, doing holiday homework, or listen to the incessant nagging of my parents have sadly come to an abrupt halt. The whirlwind months have a been wonderful and have proved to be productive in a spiritual and social sense- not so much the monetary. Life was good. Yet, like an extended holiday, it is time that I get back on the plane and depart back to the real life. Army heralds and so does university for the girls and all those other work and world related 'mundanes'. Nevertheless always the more, these are inevitable and I am beginning to try and embrace it. These 2 months of unbridled freedom will come to a close and its back to black. Where black represents the dull, monotonous and those incessant nagging.
I am smitten by the on rushing kaleidoscope that we all know so well as life. The friends, the work, the social life and the personal life has all been jumbled and contorted into this one image that we go through day after day. Yet, we brave through it day after day, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar and pretending to pass it of as the familiar. I am now re-entering this kaleidoscope where everything is jumbled and there is no clarity and only filled with ambiguity. The traditional black and white have been replaced with the thousands of hues in between.
Oh my, its more depressing than I thought. Its time like these when the belief of a greater being that controls your life provides a relief. O help me, God.
Well, the army epiphany has smacked me again and voila! Its going to happen in about seven days! Whoah that was fast, the last thing I remembered was having finished that literature exam and thinking :"Now, I have all the time in the world to rest and relax". Well I guess time does fly when you are having fun- even as cheesy as that saying goes.
Well the 2 months of complete freedom, where I need not worry about another year in school, doing holiday homework, or listen to the incessant nagging of my parents have sadly come to an abrupt halt. The whirlwind months have a been wonderful and have proved to be productive in a spiritual and social sense- not so much the monetary. Life was good. Yet, like an extended holiday, it is time that I get back on the plane and depart back to the real life. Army heralds and so does university for the girls and all those other work and world related 'mundanes'. Nevertheless always the more, these are inevitable and I am beginning to try and embrace it. These 2 months of unbridled freedom will come to a close and its back to black. Where black represents the dull, monotonous and those incessant nagging.
I am smitten by the on rushing kaleidoscope that we all know so well as life. The friends, the work, the social life and the personal life has all been jumbled and contorted into this one image that we go through day after day. Yet, we brave through it day after day, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar and pretending to pass it of as the familiar. I am now re-entering this kaleidoscope where everything is jumbled and there is no clarity and only filled with ambiguity. The traditional black and white have been replaced with the thousands of hues in between.
Oh my, its more depressing than I thought. Its time like these when the belief of a greater being that controls your life provides a relief. O help me, God.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Darn Com
Ahh good to be back in Singapore! I have just came back from amazing HONG KONG where the shopping was great, and the food even better. Wonderful place to be in, sadly I can't show you any photos now, my com is down and I am reduced to using a laptop that had won a good design award 10 years ago. Well, the days are slowly ticking by, and army apprehension is kicking in. Do I really need to waste 2 years of my life doing this? will I fit in? well the questions are endless, just like the endless worries I have.
Well, I guess all I can do is suck it up. Anyhow due to my fingers aching from typing on this minuscule key pad, I will keep the post brief. See you
Well, I guess all I can do is suck it up. Anyhow due to my fingers aching from typing on this minuscule key pad, I will keep the post brief. See you
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
08
Welcome to 2008. The beginning of the new year. A year that promises to be more exciting, more intriguing and most of all greener (army that is). Mostly everyone else will probably be telling you what they resolve to do in 2008 and how they want to become smarter, nicer, etc. But the question is, do you really need a new year to do all these things? Anyhow to just get into the season of things, I will be one of these mindless people too. So here is my resolutions for the year 2008:
1. I resolve to not change too much in the army.
I know how they say that upon going to the army one becomes like the hooligan on the street. So I resolve that I wont turn up to become like those vulgar and expletive spouting individual. Its not good for my rep. Not healthy too, makes me look so uncouth.
2.I resolve never to smoke or do drugs.
OK this is a follow up of my previous goals that I had set in December. But no drugs or smoking for me. Its too physically damaging to be good. Too expensive too. Well yea so no drugs or smoking! NEVER.
3. I resolve to keep closer contact with my friends.
This has been already emphasized in my post 'connecting people' but it serves best to be reminded. Anyhow so to all my JC mates, watch out! we will be catching up real soon.
4. I resolve to make more money!
-Self explanatory-
Alright that what I can think of now, will add more when I can think of more. After all one does not need a new year to change.
1. I resolve to not change too much in the army.
I know how they say that upon going to the army one becomes like the hooligan on the street. So I resolve that I wont turn up to become like those vulgar and expletive spouting individual. Its not good for my rep. Not healthy too, makes me look so uncouth.
2.I resolve never to smoke or do drugs.
OK this is a follow up of my previous goals that I had set in December. But no drugs or smoking for me. Its too physically damaging to be good. Too expensive too. Well yea so no drugs or smoking! NEVER.
3. I resolve to keep closer contact with my friends.
This has been already emphasized in my post 'connecting people' but it serves best to be reminded. Anyhow so to all my JC mates, watch out! we will be catching up real soon.
4. I resolve to make more money!
-Self explanatory-
Alright that what I can think of now, will add more when I can think of more. After all one does not need a new year to change.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Somethings very wrong when you need an 18 year old to teach you manners.
I have heard about Asian hospitality and how we Asians are a courteous bunch of people. Rich in the traditional belief of filial piety and respecting our elders. But even though these praises have been heaped on us, it seems that it has failed to manifest in our Singapore.
I was taking a bus the other day and as usual the lack of punctuality in our bus services led to a very crowded bus. Well the bus ride was half way done when and elderly couple got on the bus. When I say elderly, I don't mean 40 year old elderly, I mean 60 year old elderly. Well you could tell that they probably would not last the bus ride standing up (They had trouble already getting on board let alone standing there).
Yet as usual everyone sitting on the bus acted as though they were 'busy' with something, no matter how trivial that something is. I mean, how would inspecting the wires of your phone constitute to doing something that would not let you see 2 elderly people struggling to stand up and looking for a seat? Well, peeved at this I gave up my seat- which was close to the front- which the elderly person gladly accepted. Well it took another bus stop before the guy next to me-Mr wire inspector- to follow suite.
Well I guess there are 2 observations from this:
#1: The lack of compassion or thinking of the needs of others
#2: The obvious hesitance to do the right thing even when someone else has led the way.
Now all you older Singaporeans (30 and 40 year old), you have constantly complained on those reality talk shows that the youths of Singapore are without manners and without any courtesy. Well, shame on you. You don't even practice what you preach. Not only do you not set a good example for the young to follow, but you also fail to practice it when someone has already led the way. Tsk tsk tsk. I hope I do not grow up to become like you people.
Now some of you people may be going 'hey those older people may have legitimate reasons for not giving up'. Well if there was such a reason I did not see it. O maybe it could be that they needed to shop for a long time later and needed to rest their legs that sit on those Gucci slippers. Or could it be that their 3 inch heels will be spoil it they are stood on for too long. Could it be that it is too difficult to juggle both listening to your i-pod, to text message and hold the bus rails at the same time? Trivial and superficial nonsense!
There is something called the 'order of priorities'. What it means is that one should do something if the benefit is greater than the other. To apply this to this illustration. We all have reason to remain on our seats. Even I did. But the point of the mater is, we need to weigh our reason to the priority of others who need it more. I am certain that it does not require a rocket scientist to tell you that the reason why the elderly couple needed the seat is better than any reason that you could conjure up. Yet, you do nothing.
Imagine if everyone was like this. How 'fun' will it will be. The buses will probably watching something from a dystopian movie.Where the old are sideline and made to be at the mercy of the young. Where no one on the streets says 'hi' to each other and walk along their merry way shoving and pushing anyone that may stand in their way. Where no one goes 'excuse me' and how they sneeze or cough without covering their mouths. For the discerning few, you will realize that this is happening right now! How unfortunate for our society.
What I am emphasizing here is that we need to be more sensitive to the needs of others. How does one say that we are civilized when basic empathy and manners are missing. This is not civilized behavior, this is rabid animalistic nature! A winner take all mentality, a completely self centered nature. We need to change this, I challenge you to take the first step.
I was taking a bus the other day and as usual the lack of punctuality in our bus services led to a very crowded bus. Well the bus ride was half way done when and elderly couple got on the bus. When I say elderly, I don't mean 40 year old elderly, I mean 60 year old elderly. Well you could tell that they probably would not last the bus ride standing up (They had trouble already getting on board let alone standing there).
Yet as usual everyone sitting on the bus acted as though they were 'busy' with something, no matter how trivial that something is. I mean, how would inspecting the wires of your phone constitute to doing something that would not let you see 2 elderly people struggling to stand up and looking for a seat? Well, peeved at this I gave up my seat- which was close to the front- which the elderly person gladly accepted. Well it took another bus stop before the guy next to me-Mr wire inspector- to follow suite.
Well I guess there are 2 observations from this:
#1: The lack of compassion or thinking of the needs of others
#2: The obvious hesitance to do the right thing even when someone else has led the way.
Now all you older Singaporeans (30 and 40 year old), you have constantly complained on those reality talk shows that the youths of Singapore are without manners and without any courtesy. Well, shame on you. You don't even practice what you preach. Not only do you not set a good example for the young to follow, but you also fail to practice it when someone has already led the way. Tsk tsk tsk. I hope I do not grow up to become like you people.
Now some of you people may be going 'hey those older people may have legitimate reasons for not giving up'. Well if there was such a reason I did not see it. O maybe it could be that they needed to shop for a long time later and needed to rest their legs that sit on those Gucci slippers. Or could it be that their 3 inch heels will be spoil it they are stood on for too long. Could it be that it is too difficult to juggle both listening to your i-pod, to text message and hold the bus rails at the same time? Trivial and superficial nonsense!
There is something called the 'order of priorities'. What it means is that one should do something if the benefit is greater than the other. To apply this to this illustration. We all have reason to remain on our seats. Even I did. But the point of the mater is, we need to weigh our reason to the priority of others who need it more. I am certain that it does not require a rocket scientist to tell you that the reason why the elderly couple needed the seat is better than any reason that you could conjure up. Yet, you do nothing.
Imagine if everyone was like this. How 'fun' will it will be. The buses will probably watching something from a dystopian movie.Where the old are sideline and made to be at the mercy of the young. Where no one on the streets says 'hi' to each other and walk along their merry way shoving and pushing anyone that may stand in their way. Where no one goes 'excuse me' and how they sneeze or cough without covering their mouths. For the discerning few, you will realize that this is happening right now! How unfortunate for our society.
What I am emphasizing here is that we need to be more sensitive to the needs of others. How does one say that we are civilized when basic empathy and manners are missing. This is not civilized behavior, this is rabid animalistic nature! A winner take all mentality, a completely self centered nature. We need to change this, I challenge you to take the first step.
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