Washing Minds

Oh Yeah

2005-09-14T00:11:00.000+08:00

Just realised i have't updated anything form nearly a month now...

Blame DotA

Now juz one game more....

Cryptic Isn't It

2005-09-13T23:55:00.000+08:00

Today I rolled up the secret royal present in the Taurus Constellation Level of Katamari D.

YaY for Me!!!

No, I have'nt lost my mind...

Yet

New Toy!

2005-08-21T18:13:00.000+08:00

Been testing out a new ultra compact slim Sony Cyber-Shot we redeemed from our father's Credit Card points...results as shon below...quite nice don't u think?

Room with a View

2005-08-21T18:09:00.000+08:00

Room with a View
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

How it look like from my window...funky effects with the glass

Close Ur Eyes!

2005-08-21T18:08:00.000+08:00

Ugly...
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Two things...eyebags and pimples

Disaster!!!

2005-08-21T18:07:00.000+08:00

Fried Rice & Chili
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Tham, please note this examplary re-enactment is not how you fry rice...

Red Chili Board

2005-08-21T18:03:00.000+08:00

Red Chili Board
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Testing out the colour on the new cam...

Desktop

2005-08-21T18:02:00.000+08:00

Desktop
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

How my computer really looks...

Chasing Morning Phantoms

2005-08-21T18:00:00.000+08:00

Chasing Morning Phantoms
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

...Or how-I-found-an-effective-way-of-waking-my-not-a- morning-person-sister-up-by-chasing-her-with-camera- and-taking-unglam-shots-to-post-of-which-this-is-only-one

Food Fetish

2005-08-17T21:27:00.000+08:00

Marina square is open!! Did anyone know?

Yesterday I checked out the place with mum, having seen the new interior only once on the way to DXO for NDP. Sakae Sushi now has dinner buffet and Hot-plate BBQ, there are at least 5 cafes, and best of all, CARL Jr's is there!!

We're talking HUMONGOUS sized burgers, Ang-mor sized fries and Free-flow drinks!! Personally I like the double bacon burger and it even came with onion rings (inside!). At least there now a place for cheap n good chili fries now in Singapore.

It's good to be alive!

Happenings

2005-08-12T20:57:00.000+08:00

Somethings wrong with me...either my life has become veeeery boring or I just don't feel the need to get excited about things anymore. Sigh..Super-Chin-Power-Jaded mode On! I just watched live fireworks for the 1ST time in my life for crying out loud, and then what? I mean, it was really great and unimaginably exciting when I was watching it but then life just went on and on...ho hum...

Hmmmph...I guess I should at least try to describe the fireworks a little. It was national day, we were at DXO in the esplanade having drink and watching the 'action' from the balcony which had a great view. There were many people below us but where we were was quiet. Roon and her friends, Tham, Eugene (who's going to Bangkok) and Jon (who's going to Taiwan...maybe) were there. The colours of the fireworks had green, blue and red but were mostly different shades of orange to white. They were big and very nice. I distinctly remember feeling very excited. Roon and Tham took pictures which they are going to post...soon...maybe...

See what I mean!!! Help!!

Adam & Tham

2005-07-25T15:41:00.000+08:00

Adam & Tham
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Tham invites me out to lunch...and conveniently 'forgets' to mention Adam!! How could you!? What a suprise...Tnx again to the guys for agreeing to eat at Billy Bombers...the portions were not for the faint of stomach.

Holy Hand Grenade!

2005-07-19T10:23:00.000+08:00

Hallelujah! Praise be to the timeless comedy that is Monthy Python and the Holy Grail! Kaboom!

Days in Reverse

2005-07-03T11:32:00.000+08:00

Hiding away in Roon & Tham's office has been fun, but I guess I should be gettin back to mine. Mr Low's coming in a months time, gotta get back to staying put in one place...and fixing the dammed air-con.

Yesterday, dad brought us out for pasta & pizza at Pete's Place again. Thank god they changed the menu, sis and I were already on the edge of insanity from eatin the same things over and over and over...again. I recommend hazelnut ice-cream to anyone. Better yet, hazelnut ice-cream profiterol with thick fudge base and strawberry dusted with icing sugar. Somehow, eating with dad wasn't as painfull as I thought it to be.

Going back 2 days further; I've gotta place at UQ to study Vet! No more dentistry for me..I hope. Somehow, dad's got it in his head that I had always wanted to be a dentist all along, or at least always should have been. Help. I sense a nightmare behind his "I'll always support you no matter what you chose to become *big smile*". Since when was my father the consumate liberalist? His thinly veiled 'support' is probably most deadly of all. Danger Will Robinson, Danger!

Hot Dreams

2005-06-24T15:16:00.000+08:00

I returned in the rains from sending books and paper to NUS to an appreciation bash thrown together by the students' planning commitee...I'm beginning to really like this year's batch. Other suprises waited for me back in the office. Walking in, the stench of sizzled circuitry hangs in the air, an unseen, sweltering phantom. Finally the air-con has broken down for good! Time for a new replacement!

Last Breath

2005-06-17T09:47:00.000+08:00

From all work to no work to even MORE work again...and now my air-con's been down for at least a month. I have sought refuge in my neighbour's office. The heat and humidity saps away my energy. On the 27th my driving is once again put to test...Wonderful...

Certifiably Crazy

2005-06-08T11:26:00.000+08:00

It's proven; Work does horrible things to ppl...

Someone says:
PROZAC NATION IS PALE BLAND DULL FLAT AND VAPID IN COMPARISON
Someone says:
MY CEREBELLUM JUICES ARE SWIRLING
Someone says:
IMAGINE VENUS WAKING UP FROM HER COWRIE SHELL
Someone says:
WHILE HERCULES PLUCKS FORBIDDEN APPLES IN THER HESPERIDES GARDEN
Someone says:
I DANCE LIKE A PIXIE
Someone says:
MY FINGERS TINGLING WITH MAGIC

Bottles

2005-06-04T23:43:00.000+08:00

Bottles
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Kinda grateful as to how this photo came out. Snapped in an instant as we were floating by on a passing boat at the floating market, Thailand. An orgy of colour.

Reclining Roon

2005-06-03T12:10:00.000+08:00

Reclining Roon
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Slacker! The ever-elegant roon effortlessly does her imitiation of the reclining Buddha.

Tooth Fairy

2005-06-03T12:04:00.000+08:00

Tooth Fairy
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Beware! Dog on patrol! Huge Teeth to scare away all tresspassers! Responds to the name of 'Roon'!

Mantra Magic

2005-05-27T21:00:00.000+08:00

"Why don't you ever get involved?! You've never taken any real position! Why can't you tell me what your really thinking, take a side! My side! Any - side, and have the balls to stick to it!"

If that's your real character, then so be it, I'll have to accept that it is, by your own admission. Go ahead and live your life of stereotypes, to you the world is an 8-year-old's crayon drawing, vivid colours, black and white, monsters and heroes, good and evil, easy and painful, either clear and present or else it doesn’t exist at all. The world is a complex canvas, full of shades we have yet to appreciate, let alone pronounce; can you pronounce them upon others? As for me, you'll never know it; I'll just keep on pushing the right buttons, pulling all the good strings, as I always have been, all along.

I've told you before; I am a pragmatist at heart. I have my opinions, you will never hear them. I am smart enough to realise, that the momentary pleasure of shooting off my mouth to someone is replaced by the crippling inconvenience of a frozen relationship. Even if I don't like you, I refuse to let your inadequacies contribute to my inefficiency.

So I'll maintain our good working-relationship, I'll tell you all you'll want to hear, in exchange for gathering all I need to know. You’re not the only one, definitely not the first nor will you be the last. Who knows? Maybe enough water may pass under our charred bridges; I'm still willing as long as you are. Maybe that'll never happen; at least I'll still be able to get things done. Don't get me wrong, as much as I would love to stick it where the sun don shine, royally unleash a glorious blaze of IMHO's, give you not just pieces but whole chunks of my mind; what's the point?

A samurai showdown, where if I win, you'll never speak to me again and if you win, I'll never live it down; so we'll keep strengthening our defences, honing our attacks, arguing and arguing to no bitter end.

The world is full of contradictions, of half-truths and imperfections. Our staunchly guarded ideals are exactly what they are; 'ideal', a perceived state of perfection. Our generous flaws are more than adequate to see that we never reach that state until we put in great and honest effort to truly overcome them, till then we are all just hypocrites, living in a world seething with unresolved change and double standards, espousing views, opinions, ideas we can't ourselves live up to.

You can choose to paralyse yourself, withdraw into a cocoon and insist nothing's happened, nothing's changed, everything's the same in your lily-white fantasy world, and rub every black spot of reality that ever tried to contaminate it with the desperation that your sane, understandable life depended on it. I choose to harness it; acknowledge hypocrisy and manipulate it, turn it on its head let it do handstands for me; control it as it controls the actions of others. I can be anything and everything you want me to be, the trick is to make somethings look like they were for nothing.

Caveat Emptor! Proceed at your own risk!

The Drought

2005-05-26T16:51:00.000+08:00

More than 2 weeks of internet starvation has finally come to a glorious end.A torrential rain of Connectivity washed throught SCSC like a biblical flood, drowning out boredom and near-mental desperation. After a series of tech troubles all happening one after the other, so coincidental they must have been mandated by heaven itself, my deprevation from computer-use both at home and at work has finally been alleviated! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

In the interim, I have among others:
1. Taken a holiday in Thailand
2. Celebrated Vesak Day with Roon, Tham and her friends
3. Been offered a place in NUS to study Dentistry

Much to say, now able to post it.

Keeping fingers crossed and hoping for No More Crashes.

Singaporean Halloween

2005-05-08T20:20:00.000+08:00

Singaporean Halloween
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Don't you just loooourve the hawkers of Singapore? Apparently the drink-stall uncle need somthing to entertain himself while waiting for the midnight crowds...and put his cans and melons to good use. Needless to say his stall attracted quite a following that night. Least expecting to see this, most especially while having a quiet meal with Willie at 11 when all the night's excitement was supposed to be dying down. Considering how we don't exactly celebrate All-Hallows-Eve here, I would say this more than compensates...give or take 20 years?

Psycho

2005-05-08T19:51:00.000+08:00

Psycho
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

My delightful, darling, cute, adorable......Homicidal-Serial-Cheese-Stabbing Sister!!!

Shadows Surround

2005-05-08T19:47:00.000+08:00

Shadows Surround
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Meeting up with tham one sunday proves to be an exciting affair especially when he walked right past me...presumably deep in thought?! I stalked him all the way to the interchange seen here until he called...and I told him to look behind him. Now considering second career in private investigation.

First Touch

2005-04-27T16:49:00.000+08:00

First Touch
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

A tribute to tham...our most tortured photographer (both physically and mentally) in SCSC...just look at the pic below!

K.I.S.S.I.N.G

2005-04-27T16:08:00.000+08:00

K.I.S.S.I.N.G
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

Based on a true incident...That's all I'll say...do check Tham's blog if interested in more pictures of guys doing god-forsaken things.

Un-parsimonious

2005-04-23T16:02:00.000+08:00

The week has been a rough one..what with catching a cold on tuesday that left me drowsy and letargic for the rest of the week. The good news, however, is that I got back my O2 XDA this friday (sorry roon..gotta wait just a *little* bit longer),woohoo! Did I even mention that I bought one in the first place!?

Oops silly me, the surrealness of my most ultimate indulgence thus far has clouded my senses...So much so that I gave it away on the first day to the clamy hands of a repair-service technician(speaker was spoilt), thinking that it was'nt really mine in the 1st place.(slaps self and reminds never-to-do-that again)

Honestly, my mind froze when I first saw the size of its box, placed resoundingly on the brushed-metal counter at Singtel. My body wilted with embarrasment as others around me stared, throwing all manner of sharp, pointy things in my general direction with their eyes. Yet NONE of it mattered, as my soul was seduced by its shining promise of technology; phone, pocket PC, messaging, 128 RAM and WIRELESS LAN baby! (slaps self once again for acquisiton-induced idiocy)

Leave me now! As I reduce myself to a blissful, gurgling mess...in front of my pocket PC.

Bright Future in Sales

2005-04-17T21:44:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, Tham and I went nuts and purchased both the 1st and the 3rd albums of Fountains of Wayne at HMV and Gramaphone respectively. This completes Tham's dedicated collection of their albums and begins mine. The irony of the situation was not lost on us, and Tham flirted with the idea of setting up a (belated) fan-club.

Still looking for a sampling of British Sea Power; I swear, Singapore takes the longest time to import these things, worse than even movies, video-games and (gasp..can it be!?) books. Why our music superstores have'nt convulsed and keeled over is beyond me, but judging by the paltry selection of music (easily rivaled by the neighbourhood music stores), it should'nt be any time in the far future. Luckily, Tham stopped me from blurting this out in-store by sharing his excruciating 3 month wait for an album, thus stealing my thunder at the right moment.

Glad-u-a-tion

2005-04-12T09:24:00.000+08:00

Glad-u-a-tion
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

I was advised to go to a stylist before dinner as they are quite cheap if you don't ask them to cut your hair. She was real great about it, carefully putting gel in my hair...until she went psycho-killer with the glitter hairspray. For a glorious moment, the whole shop was stunned and quiet...before erupting in stiffled laughter(I can see u giggling!That goes for you too, Christine!)

Fun! Fun! Fun!

2005-04-11T21:52:00.000+08:00

Playing around with flickr and loving it...going to post more pics now.

Arpita & me

2005-04-10T22:03:00.000+08:00

Arpita & me
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

The lovely and radint Arpita! As a classmate and co-conspirator, she made AC Drama actually bearable! Wonder what I'd do without her. Thanks to our wonderfull Juniors who made us the stools for graduation! She's now studying Ocupational Therapy, which for all others out there is NOT! a degree in Massage.

'Devout' Prostration

2005-04-10T17:25:00.000+08:00

'Devout' Prostration
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

To all who were subjected to the tryanny that was ACSian theatre! I feel your pain! Oh the unfair hours! Woe to the blatant favouritism! Down with the senseless and uncompromising demands! Curses to the torture that were the Prima Donnas! Off with their heads! Long live Backstage Crew!

Very Light Blond

2005-04-10T17:16:00.000+08:00

Very Light Blond
Originally uploaded by theprojectclerk.

I recall some time ago Roon and Tham wanting to see a photo of me naked...opps, I mean with coloured highlights...hence, the mugshot photo. Title is the actual fascinating description of the hairdye used, somehow stuck in my head for the past year. Amazingly, this headshot was taken for my passport photo though I hardly look like this now (damned NS).

Wheeee!!!! Psychedelica!!!!

2005-04-08T16:33:00.000+08:00

Playing around with Colour Wheel and Colour Blender....Could you tell?

The foe unforseen...

2005-04-04T21:24:00.000+08:00

Today's dusk, as I prepare myself for duty, an uncommonly strong spirit of slyness overcame me...basicaly, I wanted to eavesdrop...and besides the opportunity to spy on chief busybody proved to irresistable to pass up.

Innocently sneaking to the radio...turning the volume down ohh so little...tuning into the other broadcast way more intersting than any channel...

Nothing much to report, the buffoon finally coming to a slow, painful realisation that her bootlicking is'nt getting her any 'special place' in the abomination's heart...and being too stupid to come up with a decent enough lie to now escape it.

As a pleasent suprise, the devil spawn left early today, her minion only moments before leaving me to an uncommon night of pleasentness.

Fountains of Wayne

2005-04-01T16:34:00.000+08:00

Obsessively playing "Troubled Times" and "Amity Gardens" must somehow be bad for health...

A cure! A cure!

Living with Technophobia

2005-03-28T08:13:00.000+08:00

My father's obsessive complusive denial of all things computer-related has finally made even the process of switching on the com and waiting for windows to start an inhumane torture. No longer is my desktop a source of entertainment, and I find myself advoiding it like the plague, afraid that it would contaminate what little time I have left to myself with its drudgery and mind-numbing nothingness. Sad really, as I have to resort to using the office computer to update anything I need to do online to prevent the slow, painful burn of my evenings and weekends.

Needless to say, going online has become a chore. (much less even navigating through My Computer!)

Even more distrubing is his current choice of scrapegoat to blame for the state of his pile of junk: Me. Curent Favourite Reason: My surfing causing tons of inexplicable spyware to miraculously 'pop-up' and My games hogging up 'all' of the disk space.

One: I personally installed spyware S&D AND ad-aware on our home PC and scaned through the drives regularly, thank you. Plus, the SYSTEM HOGGING! norton firewall you insisted we install would not even let anything remotely resembling my grandmother's bloomers through.

Two: I have deleted, repeat deleted (not shifted, not hidden, not compressed...Completely deleted!), ALL, yes ALL, OF MY GAMES! That scrapheap of a computer probably can't even handle minesweeper anyway! Has it ever ocurred to you that there is NOTHING in which I have any reason left to even switch the com on!? (sad is'nt it?)

No, instead you declare to anyone who would listen (granted a dwindling bunch close approaching the edge of extinction) that our PC is, "Just a few YEARS old". Try 4, we bought it in 2001.

Now even our neighbours, Aunties and Uncles know of the debacle that is our home computer...Only in public embarrassment does my father resolve to get anything done...not that its any guaranty it'll ever be done.

May I present, My Father.

Kaboom!!!

2005-03-18T10:57:00.000+08:00

Since when did work become a minefield?

I stay rooted to my desk, lest even my phone decides to go postal on me.

TGIF

Storm in a Teacup

2005-03-16T23:09:00.000+08:00

Two lizards face off on the dimly shrouded wall outside the admin office. On the ceiling slightly to the side, a third watches silently on...

I've had it.

Enough's Enough...I've written before how I'm not going to succumb again to my senseless "gotta keep up a good image no matter what" need...tonight, I honour that...I am SICK and TIRED of playing the all-smiling, all-dancing middle-man...Screw what you think...tonight, I write for my most base of selfs.

Today, Tham reminded me again of his ongoing troubles about his rift...their rift...with long-time friend Winfrid. I was sympathetic this morning to his plight. We are all apt to favour those who take the more active step, whilst Winfrid's contrast of careless ambivelence did not throw him into good light either.

Cue lunch and the performance was on. A silent smile here, a diplomatic dance there and a terse little jig was falling into place. Somehow, I had trapped myself once again...Remind me to slap myself. At the curtain call, things seemed reasonably well..at least they were talking to each other again, right..? Wrong!

Dusk falls as Tham clomps into the admin office I sit in tonight. Disaster he claims...then why are you laughing? So happy now that close to all of the rest of us can now dance in the full sorid glory of the skeletons in YOUR closet. Ever wonder how Winfrid now feels? I am Ass-tounded, after all that; after not thinking about things too much, after giving others their own time and space, you chose instead to gamble it all on a moment of relief...and you feel happy about it.

Both of you DESERVE to be slapped.

Tham, realise that your impatience is not an excuse. Neither should you take for granted my empathy, it is not to be taken lightly. I can't help but feel that it has emboldened you to assume everyone SHOULD by virtue be on your side, and that this matter need NOT be treated with tact and finess.

Winfrid, after all this time, you of all people should know the eccentricities of Tham. Either that, or the past 9 months have been the greatest performance of your life, in which you have in all actuality been ignoring that wacked-out bugger all together and have just been engaging in polite conversation all this while. Quit jerking around and just end this melodrama, if not for your sake then at least for ours!(myself, Roon, Winston, Yong Siang, Leon...etc.)

As and when you two will both 'really be alright' is none of my business and at this point, I could'nt give a damn! Thank you but next time, I'll pass on the 'playin-with-feelins' ride.

Just Add Thinner

2005-03-15T23:04:00.000+08:00

After doing an unearthly amount of tasks during work today, I can now fully appreciate the feeling of "butter, spread over too much toast". Bilbo Baggins.

Sleep,

NOW!!!

My Educated Nuts

2005-03-14T22:08:00.000+08:00

"Don't be fooled. The green smooth textured clump on the side of your sushi
dish is rarely real wasabi. More commonly it is ordinary horseradish with
food coloring added. Real wasabi is one of the rarest and most difficult
vegetables in the world to grow. Few geographical areas are suited for
growing wasabi...
Wasabi (Wasabia japonica syn. Eutrema japonica)
is a highly valued plant in Japanese cuisine, used primarily as a
condiment for seafood dishes. More recently it has found widespread appeal
in western cuisine due to its unique flavor. Used as an ingredient in
dressings, dips, sauces and marinades, wasabi is a versatile spice and is
rapidly becoming one of the most popular new flavors. Wasabi has a heat
component that unlike chili peppers is not long lived on the palate and
subsides into an extremely pleasant, mild vegetable taste that
even
people normally averse to hot food enjoy.
Wasabi is a vegetable that requires
intensive cultivation. The plant is a perennial that grows to about 18 inches
high producing leaves on long stems from the crown of the plant. As the plant
ages the leaves fall off at the stem bases and with time a rhizome forms which
is the part of the plant that is used."
-From http://www.freshwasabi.com/about.htm-

Whatever..I'm going to enjoy the can of Camel "Premium Quality" Wasabi
Peanuts just the same, thank you.

Mum's B-day was coming soon, took her out to Billy Bombers tonight. Awsome, cardiac-arresting food at prices that won't do like wise...unfortunately was 7 dollars short of getting a second stamp on my loyalty card (it $25 a pop!)...bleah, nvm.

Btw Tham, that was a one time thing...best not to read to much into it...hehheh ;)

O,Thou Departh!

2005-03-10T15:41:00.000+08:00

O, Thou Departh!

Thou's life was but a swift blur! A flurry of endevour!

Death stood impassive, every the unforeseen enemy...

Rest Well, Knowing that thou's final bed was crafted of sturdiest, 100% sustainable boards and lined with thou's very own downings.

Thou's wake was fittingly brief yet punctuated with hysteria...an reflection of a life that once was!

Forgive us our insolence as we could afford only the shallowest of graves, our effort was sincere and exceptional, given the circumstances...

Now,

Today, more than any other day,

Rest ye in Peace!

Bed Bugs Bite...

2005-03-08T21:58:00.000+08:00

Last night, laying myself quietly down on my bed, I prepared to go to sleep after a day's worth of work leaving me tired and weary. The pre-bed ritual was the same as always. Cup of water, glasses off and onto the table, alarm clock set to ring, pull back the covers, slight leap into bed...and a shot of pain through the side of my back.

Clutching my side, I rolled over to reveal...

my sis's pink dental retainers!

Oh Christine...if your looking for your gums...

Their in my room!..yooou filllthy animal!

Aack

2005-03-06T15:41:00.000+08:00

So many things have happened over the past 2 days, my mind has overloaded...is now blank...cold turkey in college doing Sunday duty...whole day, doing nothing...

damn writers block.

I'll just describe my gift, don't think that'll short my circuits since thats one of the better things I can do. I came home at about 12 last night to find Mum and Dad still up enjoying a bottle a red wine with a close family friend. Curious of the cardbox package I was holding, I was obliged to take it out for display. I'll admit that I was slightly puzzled as to why Tham chose a soapstone relief carved with a sphinx's head and backlight to boot. Unlight, it looks pretty unstartling. Awkward even, as its easy to think how someone could have accidentally carved a relief inside-out on a orange-pink, triangle block. Boy were we suprised when we finally got around to plugging the darn unassuming thing in!

With a collective gasp from the 4 of us gathered around the light like a revered idol, the optical illusion came into its full, confounding glory. It was cut so well, when the shadows were gone, it looked like a complete 3D face. The thing even followed our eyes of godsake! Aunty Eileen thought the whole thing was really unique, especially to find here in 'same-old' Singapore.

Afterwhich, we went to sleep, which I think I shall do now..

Yawn!

20..and still going

2005-03-05T13:37:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was a blast! It was almost as if SCSC knew my birthday was on the 5th and decided to celebrate! What a day!

First off was the perm-staff visit to Bukit Chandu (is that how its spelled?), or opium hill as its stands for in Malay. I never knew there was a canopy walk in Kent Ridge Park, where Bukit Chandu is located. Pardon me my ignorance but you have to cut us 'easty-mewahs' some slack. The scenery was like nothing I could ever imagine being in Singapore...but there it was, and it was all breathtaking. Those ppl staying in the condo on top of that hill are one hullava lucky bunch for sure.

The museum itself was a pristinely restored colonial bungalow with a pool for reflection. A fitting tribute to the men who lost their lives defending what we would barley recognise today. Ultimately, we are blessed and in their gratitude. Notwithstanding, we decided that we had just the right thing to brighten the days of the forlorn bronze memorial statues. (READ: All manner of perversion, sexual or otherwise, humanly feasible with an inanimate replica of a soldier)

The lunch was hoh-hum...nothing much to say there...we wasted enough time in the arcade at Cheveron's before heading out to MINDS in Yio Chu Kang. Social interaction with the intelletually disabled was awkward but broadening. Some opened up immediately while others had a quiter, more secretive approach to contact. It was the same old routine as the others, tour followed by arts and crafts, followed by games and refresments before saying 'Good-Bye!' with the brightest smile you could muster (universally understood as 'I'm your friend' at minds). The highlight of MY trip, and possibly the other 4 who were with me (Roon, Geoffery, Winston and Chan) occured, innocently enough, when a major approached mygoodself, tapped my shoulder gently as I was crouching over a crayon drawing and screeched," Bo-oy! Do you want to dra-aw?"

I smiled wryly as I controlled the urge to strangle him.

Dinner was the jewel in this day's crown, which Tham so deftly summed up in his blog. Who knew a few pieces of chicken, orange juice, some chopped garlic and chili powder could unleash so much chaos and pandemonium?

Can't wait to see what today will bring....

4-in-1

2005-03-02T16:03:00.000+08:00

"The power of orange knickers...the power of orange knickers...under my peti-coat..." Tori Amos

*bleah*

Hooray for irrelevance!

Grief in Brief

2005-02-26T21:52:00.000+08:00

-Begin Transmission-

Dear All

My grandfather, Chau Chun Ming, passed away quietly today, 2.25 pm, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Ward 10A Bed 24.

He leaves behind a loving wife, 3 lively daughters and 6 fullsome grandchildren.

Wake shall be held tmr after 4 pm, Singapore Casket.

Cremation will be held Monday, Mandai Colombarium & Crematorium.

Thank You

-Click-

In Loving Memory

2005-02-21T23:45:00.000+08:00

I came to my grandmother's for dinner tonight to find her seated around the dinning table with my mother and her sister. Over the course of a somber meal, they broke to me that grandfather's tubes will be removed this wednesday. They had been called by the doctor today. He was factual and to the point. This was the last phase in what has been a long struggle.

Mother had brought me a change of clothes but forgot to bring any footwear. The only thing left in the shoe cabinet for me to wear were my grandfather's leather slippers. I put them on without protest though something burned in the back of my mind. Reaching home, I realised I had left my wallet behind and so went back with slippers in hand, flip-flops now on my feet.

My grandfather's slippers were brown in colour, made of leather with a cross-strap in the front. The sole was made of black rubber and the grooves cut in an S-shape. They were from Bata. I carried them in my left hand. I cried tonight. Soft sobs on hard pavement. The cars, sensing grief, raced silently by, without distraction.

I composed myself as I returned to my grandparent's door. Lily opened the front door. Mam's not home, she drove over with your wallet. Oh, then I'll return this. Nobody's home? Nobody's home. On wednesday, I shall see the last of the ICU.

Tonight I took the final steps in my grandfather's shoes.

PS: Dearest Tham,
Forgive me but your e-mail reply will forseeably late. I..my mind is not in its usual place. All this will first have to pass, but I will try to ponder your mail in the times where it wanders free. I hope to reply to you by the end of this week.

Don't ruin my day...I'm miles away

2005-02-20T23:41:00.000+08:00

Erm...yeah..Today's post can be found here

Converastion with Mysterio Girl

2005-02-19T12:17:00.000+08:00

Snippet of a LONGER conversation..

[00:05:25] C: I'm a bachelor for life...
[00:05:30] ?: go get a girl.. c/mon.. dun be gay anymore
[00:05:32] C: never want to get married
[00:05:33] ?: girls are nice. hahaz
[00:05:42] ?: u dun hafta get married to get attached
[00:05:53] C: thts why i shld b considerate n do them a
favour
[00:06:07] ?: make it a companionship.. u dun wanna die
alone rite??
[00:06:15] ?: so u drag someone else to the grave w u!
[00:06:21] C: actully i'm kinda fine with that
[00:06:35] ?: no.. u wun haf lil ol kids to play w u..
[00:06:37] C: parent's realationship
[00:06:47] C: is F-ed up
[00:06:52] ?: ur parents will die.. ur sis will be
married..
[00:07:01] ?: n u'll be living w a guy
[00:07:05] C: but love is sooooo blind
[00:07:09] ?: i noe
[00:07:15] ?: tt's y it's fun
[00:07:28] C: mother couldn't even raise a word to dad
[00:07:45] C: she like soooo submissive
[00:07:48] ?: love is accomodating to some other idiot's
flaws, even tho common sense tell ya u dun hafto
[00:07:50] C: its sickening
[00:07:56] ?: tt's ur mom
[00:08:04] ?: u can go tell her
[00:08:05] C: i don have to like it
[00:08:21] ??: i thk if she raise her voice, u'll be having
a single parent home
[00:08:22] C: i juz need to live with it till i get out f
here
[00:08:49] C: i suppose ur rite..but she dosent even defend
herslef
[00:08:58] ?: marriage is not about 2 people who voices
their opinions out
[00:09:10] ?: it's about compromising urself to the other
perosn
[00:09:21] C: n if raising her voice leads to that then
what kinda marriage is this anyway? why even have kids?
[00:09:22] ?: one is always dominant n the other
submissive
[00:09:44] ?: if she did, u'll get quarrelling everyday
[00:09:51] ?: n yar. other shit will happen lar..
[00:10:17] ?: e.g. extramarital.. divorce.. gay
[00:10:23] C: GAY
[00:10:24] ?: drinking.. abuse
[00:10:30] ??: yup
[00:10:31] ?: gay
[00:10:36] C: Yg
[00:10:38] C: yag
[00:10:40] ?: ur dad mite decide to turn gay
[00:10:44] ?: yag
[00:10:46] ?: gay
[00:11:03] C: yup
[00:11:12] ?: yup??
[00:11:17] ?: ohhh. i thk u went ot pe
[00:11:23] C: i guess u have a pt
[00:12:01] ?: after all, everyone will hafta live by their
obligations
[00:12:07] ?: not their desires and ideals
[00:12:14] C: doesn't change the fact tha the family feel
like one big performance though
[00:12:20] ?: wad u ought to do, and not wad u wan to do
[00:12:39] ?: i noe.. tt's wad all families are wad
[00:12:48] ?: everyone has a skeleton in their closets
[00:12:52] C: so sad how our society is today
[00:13:00] ?: it's juz whether how well u can keep it
[00:13:07] ?: oh well
[00:13:15] C: many can keep teirs VERY well
[00:13:16] ?: i thk it's like tis for a very long time now
[00:13:32] C: ever since we were here
[00:13:43] ?: ever since humans are created
[00:14:08] C: i was thinking more like our births but yeah
okay
[00:14:28] ?: but one of the nicer family tt i've seen that
seems more normal seem to be adeline's family
[00:14:46] C: yar..
[00:15:10] ?: i dunno. it looks normal.. at least.. hahaz.
[00:15:19] ?: u dun hear lk any family probs tt she faces
[00:15:22] C: never noe..could be like mine
[00:15:34] C: bt her mom seems to be more progressive
[00:15:40] ?: but she tells me her probs wad.. n everything
seem trivial
[00:15:46] ?: her mom is authorative..
[00:16:01] ?: n adeline lives by obligations in the family,
but she does not haf any qualms abt it
[00:16:14] C: i juz whis they could be more understanding
thats all..why always so hard assed?
[00:16:26] ?: it's the perspective of people tt make the
family looks normal
[00:16:37] ?: hahaz.. juz thk of life as a joke
[00:16:42] ?: a comedy, and it will be fun
[00:16:49] C: not as if the world turned around u rite?
[00:17:06] C: thats how i cope..maintin sanity
[00:17:19] ?: it does.. but look at it in a funny way..
life is a joke..
[00:17:21] ?: hahaz
[00:17:38] ?: the paradoxes and all the sarcasm in it all
makes u wanna laugh
[00:17:50] ?: tt's y i'm still alrite..
[00:17:59] C: our own funny little lives...we noe the irony
but juz go along anyay
[00:18:07] ?: yar.. tt's y..
[00:18:12] ?: ur family is funny wad..
[00:18:19] ?: dad w a stick up his ass
[00:18:27] ?: cute lil submissive mom
[00:18:39] C: phone burning sis
[00:18:41] ?: n sis who is a sudden helpless romantic
[00:18:44] ?: yup
[00:18:46] ?: tt too
[00:18:50] C: hehehe
[00:18:58] ?: if u thk of life lk a movie..
[00:19:04] ?: it's a comedy
[00:19:21] ?: it reminds me of american beauty
[00:19:22] ?: hahaz
[00:19:30] ?: i kinda like tt show
[00:19:33] C: yayaya...so much like it
[00:19:44] ?: so smile!!!
[00:19:51] C: i am
[00:19:52] ?: be cynical if u wan.. but tk it w a smile!
[00:19:53] ?: hahaz
[00:19:58] C: hehehe
[00:20:06] ?: n i juz finally understood dilbert's jokes
[00:20:10] ?: damn i took long
[00:20:17] C: huh? which one?
[00:20:22] ?: i dunno. hahaz..
[00:20:26] ?: oh on recency
[00:20:48] ?: abt how ppl rmb only the recent few incidents
and judge u by tt
[00:21:13] C: yup..that's true
[00:21:35] C: so how have u been RECENTLY!
[00:21:45] ?: hahaz.. happy!
[00:21:47] ?: hahaz
[00:22:15] C: gay
[00:22:22] ?: yay!
[00:22:27] C: yay for gay
[00:22:27] ?: i;m a girl who's gay
[00:23:12] C: okie..have to go now..waking up at 5.30 tmr
uuugh!
[00:23:21] ?: ohokie
[00:23:23] ?: ciaoz
[00:23:29] C: tnks
[00:23:32] C: :)

WHAT did he just say?

2005-02-19T10:45:00.000+08:00

Father to bewildered son -

"Colin, make sure you don't get 'blogged' down by all this posting everyday...personal history is NOT important...making money is more important, you understand?"

Right...I think I'll go help my mum with cooking lunch in the kitchen. Mum opens a drawer too fast and smashes a balsamic vinegar bottle.

Father to bewildered mother -

"WHAT did you do...quick get the mop...Colin go get the mop...make sure you use the paper towels...don't let the floor get stained...I'm going for golf..."

Am I an adopted child?...coz' right now I really feel like one...

[*closes eyes...screams...runs around...bangs into door and collapses*]

Alacrity

2005-02-18T10:24:00.000+08:00

noun.

1) Cheerful willingness; eagerness.
2) Speed or quickness; celerity.

n : liveliness and eagerness; "he accepted with alacrity" [syn: briskness]

Alacrity was the Word of the Day on May 18, 2000.

Words...characters...language...communication...would (or could) you guess from reading this blog that I'm actually mildly dyslexic. Very, very mild of course...almost negligible except for the trait of spelling, of which degenerates when I write with excessive speed or length. Like in essays. My essays have always been a weak point for me, their spelling like that of an impetulant child...whatever 'sounds' correct, goes. My assessor determined that I had problems with double-letters and words that arn't spelled the way they're pronounced (like 'assessor'). As of now, as well as for all my previous posts, I've had to rely inordinately upon a dictionary constantly open beside this window.

Knowledge... of my weakness has made me ultra-cautious of everything I write in general. Writen language does not come 'naturally' and is a conscious effort...making the whole thing slower...more deliberate...painful, on rare occasions. Does anyone really give a damm anyway about broken spelling? I have this niggling feeling in the back of my mind that our more 'tollerant,liberal,all-encompassing' society can and should see the intended meanings and leave this ridiculous 'Quest for word-perfection' behind. Thankfully, grammer, punctuation and vocabluary have been left unscathed.

Vocabulary...one of my better strenghts. A delightful side effect of having to obsess myself with a dictionary has been exposure to a vast amount of words...and then obsessing about their meanings and peculiarities. No I'm not a freek..just 'linguistically cerebral'..honest. One day I shall do without the comfort of a 'spelling saftey-net' and unleash unreadable armageddon upon the unsuspecting hordes logic and literacy.(To much unhealthy alliteration...Wait...damm I did it again)

Words...words cannot describe the incredible lightness of being (ten points if you knew where that came from) one feels when a blog is being read. Its astounding how easily it is to get sucked into putting our more private thoughts on public display in the more forgiving medium of the internet..

Ever Notice..

2005-02-13T21:57:00.000+08:00

...how the names of the female contestants in "The Apprentice" opening credits are all in red, which connotes falling stocks and bearish markets, while those of the men are all in green, conversely implying rising prices and bullish runs!?

Pinpoint Accuracy

2005-02-12T09:44:00.000+08:00

Talk about laser-guided shopping...my buying habits were so linearly directed yesterday, they almost seemed to be following a script. Suffice to say, I had to go to 3 specific locations...buy/do 3 specific things...and travel to 3 specific MRT stations and bus stops, each widely seperated from one another. I have never had such a structured shopping experience in my entire life! (granted its been only 20 years)

My night-time plans where mercifully simpler. They consisted of :

Meeting ex-ACJC friends at 7pm in Orchard MRT
Eating, talking, photo-taking and scaring away potential customers with cackling laughter untill 10pm. (whereby we were enthusiastically ushered out)
A treat to a jug of drinks (and more slurred,hazy conversations) by the *ahem*generous Kristin at Indochine till 12am.

Witness my Fascination with all things three...

Seeing close to all of our old class agaiin was a blast. Namely Wan-tsin, Zhi Liang, Galvin, Matthew, Derrick and Adeline...of whom I have not seen for nearly a YEAR...

I intend to make it my personal mission to pry out the name of Willie's girlfiend (I mean...friend) as the matter was left unresolved last night...

Grandfather Stories...

2005-02-08T10:41:00.000+08:00

The Importance of Berevity cannot be Overstated.
Link

Gucci Coochie Coup

2005-02-07T20:14:00.000+08:00

Note to self: Do thank Tham for our invaluable conversations. He might not know it but they have proved as enlightening and reassuring to me as (I hope) they are for him. In retrospect, his ability to tickle out even the most personal of thoughts pleasently supprises and mildly scares me.

And now, allow me to explain the convoluted thoughts running through my head. I have always had the goal of being rational as opposed to the rash, irrational nature of a reactionary, thoughtless and self-centered life. I have come to realise that this has got alot to do with my fixation on public image. My skin is as thin as glass. The slightest hint of a cold shoulder sends me running to reflect on how I had done my goal wrong. I have become a pacifist, so undyingly diplomatic, so eager to sit on a fence, so absolutely vanilla, so devoid of a passionate soul, so protective of a good impression, never knowing the meanings of conflict and hardship.

The guilt of it pierces me acutely. If things continue, is it not possible that years down the road I may end up as something analogous to a shriveled prune?

Lately, I have been obsessing about time. The who's and when's. When did my parents get married; how old were they? When did Maria Sharapova win the Wimbledon; how old was she? I'm old enough now to put my life up for comparison, and the results are not assuring. I have experienced so little, done so few, achieved close to nothing that I truely treasure. So far, everything has simply been a means to an end. Figures and numbers.

That's not to say that there's nothing left to live for, and I shall be eternally grateful for the wealth of friends and family (less one...sad to say) who care about me as much as I care about them. Overall, I've had a pretty good life. Priviledged even. I guess I really can't complain. As Tham made me realise today...better to stop reflecting and worring...our time is short.

Pardon me if I'm sounding so self-depreciating. I assure you that I rarely am so and will return you to your normal programming of "Everyday Happy People" here on All-Day Presidantè right after these messages.

Forgive Me...I'm Blog Stupid

2005-02-04T23:26:00.000+08:00

Hey everybody has a first time...mine's just going to be a long one. Thanks a mill to Winfrid for his unearthly interest and undying stoicism in the face of my barrage of...'grievances' (to put it mildly). Winfrid, you have the patience of a saint. As of yet, I plan to publish some links and put up a stats button (just to prove I can).

In other news, my practical test for boating (powered pleasure craft as their known formally) is tomorrow. Ever realise how there needs to be a formal licence for everything in here in Singapore!? The concept of needing one elsewhere would be nothing but foreign! Either way I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

So bear with me awhile as I fool around,

Broadcast of Glorious Chairman's Thammunist Propaganda will resume...Soon.

New Beginnings

2005-02-03T22:53:00.000+08:00

Tham, Know that I will always hold you accountable for driving me to this. YOU are resposible for the untold torture I will hencefourth suffer as a slavering slave to the keyboard. May you giggle gleefully at my weathered soul, my barren mind and my twisted logic; forever and ever, Amen.

Having said that,
Welcome to my new blog.
Chronicle of life through the Chin.