I always believe in giving credit when its due, and today's post is about giving credit. Its about recognising the efforts and contributions of certain groups of people and highlighting the characteristics that makes them special. So without wasting any time, let us dive straight into the first group.
BODYBUILDERS
You know every now and then you take a walk down town or anywhere with lotsa human activity, and you are very much likely to bump into many of these hardcore bodybuilders. And you will know a bodybuilder when you see one, not just because of those bulging muscles, but also because of their highly unproportional body structure. And then you think to yourself, damn.. This people need our respect. Of course they do, especially when they spend so much of time, effort, sweat and whatever not, on manipulating their body for a specific purpose, though many of us are unable to understand what the purpose is. But credit has to be given to their exemplary discipline, in doing something to themselves, that not only makes them look ugly, but is also potentially harmful to their health (with all the dietary requirements that accompany bodybuilding), and might also have life altering effects. Why they body-build with such fervent enthusiasm, i never will be able to know. They might try to hide behind an insecure self by building up their physical structure, but hey even that is respect worthy too.. Bruce lee, is by far the world's best known martial arts exponent, and he had a way of training his body that made him look hot as well as fit. Though many of these bodybuilders, might never be able to define the meanings of healthy and fit, they deserve my respect for the sheer effort they put into what they do, even if what they do is highly contradictory.
GOSSIPMONGERS
Ohhh.. These people deserve even more respect than the bodybuilders. I mean, can you imagine the effort they put into their tasks. Sitting down with a group of potentially uninterested people, engaging them into a conversation, and then giving them totally unnecessary information and critiques about other people, and then injecting the right amount of humour and sarcasm to make themselves look believable?? Jus typin it out takes so much effort. Imagine doing it. Damn they have my respect. I mean can you even imagine the repercussions these people face. Not only are they stigmatised as "bitches" and "bastards", they also face the possibility that they might do exactly the same things that they bitch about other people doing. But they continue what they do, so fearlessly, and not giving two hoots about the hypocrisy label that might befall them. And not forgetting the countless enemies they make along the way. Yet they persist in doing what they do. Damn.. These people definitely have my respect.
PESSIMISTS
If the previous two groups earned my respect, these last group of people have taken it for wholesale. When i mean pessimists, i do not talk about the practical people who know when the end is near. I'm talking more about the people, who not only believe that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, but rather believe that there is no light at all. You know who i'm talking about. The one who pours cold water on every plan discussed. The one who is fearful, and has no hope whatsoever for anything. The one who believes that there is no point in doing anything to salvage a situation since it is gonna be over any way. And trust me, this people definitely have my respect. Hope is what makes the world go round. When the shit around you, makes you feel sad and gloomy, Hope is wad makes your heart go warm. And im sure many of you might have felt that. (hope warming your heart in a near hopeless situation). And that simply is why, pessimists have my respect. Simply because they live their lives with no warmth. I mean, can you imagine being negative about everything. That must be damn sad. But these people live every waking day with such sadness, and in fact live it as their norm, so it really isnt sad for them. Now isn't that respect worthy? If not for pessimists, the world would be too happy a place, where everything is possible. Now would you want such a world? That is why, pessimists have been the ideal synonym for respect-worthy, in my dictionary.
Now let us just take a moment, to be in awe over the ideals represented by these above groups of people and also curse our wretched self, (me for writing this post, and you for reading it). I have absolutely no purpose in writing this, except to put in black and white my thoughts on this current day. Now accept my sincere apologies for having you read this literal diarrhoea, and be rest assured that the next post will DEFINITELY be more RESPECT-WORTHY!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What would you do?
Everytime i hear someone say nasty about our PAP government, i get pissed. Not because i'm a fan of the PAP, (im not actually), but its because i hear them making stupid comments. Comments that are made just for the sake of saying sumthg intellectual. Comments that are made to show off one's political knowledge, but ends up highlighting their supreme ignorance. Now pardon me, if i come across as too arrogant. But the converse is true. I refrain from making broad sweeping statements, simply because im humble enough to know that i do not know all the facts. And hence, if i do not know much, how can i criticise something that has been around for a long long time.
Now let's list the main arguments against PAP.
1. Lack of political Freedom
You would start by assembling a team of skilled people and you would want foreign investment, and you would do all the necessary things required. Because you got the confidence, that you can pull this through and you got the confidence that you have the right team. Now there is only the small problem of elections. Every 5 yrs, there is a small possibility that another party, can come to power just by stirring up rhetoric and making empty promises. And everythg that you have planned for can come to naught. You have seen that happening all around the world. So what do u do? To make sure that an unqualified opponent, never even comes close to messing up ur system, ur country, ur nation. You have to do something, so that you yourself need not have to worry about needless election based politics, that will take your time and energy away from doing good for the people. What would you do? Think.. How can you come up with a system that will solve the problems that have been mentioned in this paragraph. What would you do?
Then there is the problem of actually running the country. The civil service is the most important aspect of any country, yet bureaucracy is the worst problem in so many countries. How would you make sure, that the people who are running the country are the best in what they do? How would you ensure, that once they are in a position of power, they will not abuse that power and are held accountable for their actions. They say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. How would you ensure that the people in the most sensitive areas of this country that you are building from nothing, are not even tempted to do anything wrong. What would you do to make sure the best are running the most important areas of the country. What would you do?
The beauty about law is that it is like a condom. Never 100% safe. There is always a loophole somewhere to be exploited. Just ask those criminal lawyers. So what would you do, if sum1 who is threatening to destroy the system that you have created, is able to exploit technical loopholes and continue doing their shitwork. What would you do, to help protect the law that is supposed to protect the people. What would you do?
This is not propaganda. I'm not joining the PAP Youth. Not yet. I don't think im worthy anyways.. But its just a simple exercise, to let people know that running a country is not easy. Yes i believe the PAP has made mistakes along the way. I for one, am against its policy of putting foreigners ahead of locals. But whenever the PAP realises that it makes a mistake, it attempts to negate it. This characteristic is never given credit in the media. Opposition parties never admit that they are wrong, but the PAP always rectifies its mistakes, the moment it realises it makes one, and does not even give people a chance to rebut. In any case what's the point of pointing out a mistake, when you dun have solutions. I dun have a solution for the foreigner vs local conflict, atleast not yet, so i keep my bloody mouth shut. When i do, you guys reading will be the first to know. But till then, if you do not have better solutions than PAP, keep your mouth and fingers shut! If you do however, you can either choose to be a good opposition politician like chiam see tong, or you can be a crazy nut that pushes the Opposition's cause 10yrs backwards, or you could join one of the grassroots organisations. You will contribute more there, than toking cock in your beer tables. Have a great day people. Love ya'all.. With LOVE.. L.O.V.E!
Now let's list the main arguments against PAP.
1. Lack of political Freedom
- Electional maneouvring
- Lawsuits against dissenters
- Control of media
- Control of rights to free speech
- Placing relatives and close ones in high places
- Every powerful organisation helmed by a political insider
- Dynasty like political succession
- Barrier to entry in politics
- Courts not being free
- Verdicts rarely pressed against the state
You would start by assembling a team of skilled people and you would want foreign investment, and you would do all the necessary things required. Because you got the confidence, that you can pull this through and you got the confidence that you have the right team. Now there is only the small problem of elections. Every 5 yrs, there is a small possibility that another party, can come to power just by stirring up rhetoric and making empty promises. And everythg that you have planned for can come to naught. You have seen that happening all around the world. So what do u do? To make sure that an unqualified opponent, never even comes close to messing up ur system, ur country, ur nation. You have to do something, so that you yourself need not have to worry about needless election based politics, that will take your time and energy away from doing good for the people. What would you do? Think.. How can you come up with a system that will solve the problems that have been mentioned in this paragraph. What would you do?
Then there is the problem of actually running the country. The civil service is the most important aspect of any country, yet bureaucracy is the worst problem in so many countries. How would you make sure, that the people who are running the country are the best in what they do? How would you ensure, that once they are in a position of power, they will not abuse that power and are held accountable for their actions. They say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. How would you ensure that the people in the most sensitive areas of this country that you are building from nothing, are not even tempted to do anything wrong. What would you do to make sure the best are running the most important areas of the country. What would you do?
The beauty about law is that it is like a condom. Never 100% safe. There is always a loophole somewhere to be exploited. Just ask those criminal lawyers. So what would you do, if sum1 who is threatening to destroy the system that you have created, is able to exploit technical loopholes and continue doing their shitwork. What would you do, to help protect the law that is supposed to protect the people. What would you do?
This is not propaganda. I'm not joining the PAP Youth. Not yet. I don't think im worthy anyways.. But its just a simple exercise, to let people know that running a country is not easy. Yes i believe the PAP has made mistakes along the way. I for one, am against its policy of putting foreigners ahead of locals. But whenever the PAP realises that it makes a mistake, it attempts to negate it. This characteristic is never given credit in the media. Opposition parties never admit that they are wrong, but the PAP always rectifies its mistakes, the moment it realises it makes one, and does not even give people a chance to rebut. In any case what's the point of pointing out a mistake, when you dun have solutions. I dun have a solution for the foreigner vs local conflict, atleast not yet, so i keep my bloody mouth shut. When i do, you guys reading will be the first to know. But till then, if you do not have better solutions than PAP, keep your mouth and fingers shut! If you do however, you can either choose to be a good opposition politician like chiam see tong, or you can be a crazy nut that pushes the Opposition's cause 10yrs backwards, or you could join one of the grassroots organisations. You will contribute more there, than toking cock in your beer tables. Have a great day people. Love ya'all.. With LOVE.. L.O.V.E!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
To see or not to see?
I had a surreal experience today, and i can't wait to discuss about it. Ok i shall dive straight into it. I was invited by the 'girlfriend' of my girlfriend to an exhibition about the visually impaired. That was what i was told, besides the date, time and venue. So i didnt exactly know what to expect as i was getting there, with the gf and my bf. Ok b4 u think, im one weird idiot.. Let me clarify the names.. My girlfren is Shalu; her gf is actually her best fren, or maybe they are lesbians after all, her name is Jess-see-car.. And my bf is actually my best fren, and no we are definitely not gay, his name is faisal.. Okok.. There i go beating about the bush again, so yes i will come back..
So we got to Ngee Ann Poly at about 1155am and proceeded to the place where the exhibition will be, still not knowing what to expect. As we got there, we were greeted by Jess-sick-ah and her group of volunteers who were helping this project, called "Dialogue in the Dark".
Basically Dialogue in the Dark is a tour where a group of individuals take an hour-long walk, in complete darkness, to go through ordinary situations that will seem extraordinary without the lack of sight. And that is all i'm going to say, because i want you to experience this yourself, and im not gonna spoil the surprise for you. But if you insist on knowing more about this, you can visit the following links.
http://www.dialogue-in-the-dark.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_in_the_Dark
Oh by the way, it was founded in Germany, trust those Germans to always come up with cool stuff.. I mean seriously. did you expect anything else? They founded OktoberFest afterall..
But yea, now i have been seriously affected by this tour. Think about it. How often have we taken our sight for granted. Even me for an example. Im sitting at my com, critiquing and disturbing various ppl from all walks of life, but will i be able to do a simple task as blogging without my eyesight? Its strange isn't it? Heck i wouldn't even be able to read, let alone type. But before you think this is gonna be a cliched post, lauding the power of sight, think again.
The question that has been running through my mind, is not just how often have we taken our sight for granted, but rather how many times have we just relied on sight neglecting our other senses. As human beings, we have been blessed/created/programmed/whatevernot with 5 senses. All EQUALLY as important as one another. But how often have we just fallen back on just one or 2 of the senses to make a decision.
"Oh my god, that food looks awesome.. It mus sure as well taste good."
"That dress looks so nice on that model. I have to get it, it will suit me.."
"I saw what he was doing, i dont think my eyes were playing tricks on me. He must be up to something funny"
Sounds familiar? Ever used any of these lines or similar ones b4? I have been guilty of alot more similar scenarios, and unapologetically so. I mean, i have good eyesight, (with my spectacles of course) and whats wrong with relying on my sight to make judgements.
There has to be a reason, why we were given other senses, and a brain to process what the senses acquire. If all we needed was an eye to make a decision, we wouldn't need the other senses, would we? And as i was thinking along that line, another idea sprang up in my brain. Maybe people without eyesight, are not really as sad, as we think they are or they ought to be.
Face it, they do not have to look at the dress they bought and think "Hey it doesn't look good on me". They will definitely not judge their next friend or lover simply based on looks, and thus have a higher chance of loving a person for who they really are, rather than how they look. Basically, there isn't any UGLY in their world. Ugly as in not the superficial, Jay-z like ugly who is really one ugly yet talented guy with a hot wife. But ugly as in the dirty polluted dilapidated factory that is seeping contaminated sewage into the river that provides drinking water. Ugly as in the sight of seeing young kids with bloated stomachs caused by extreme hunger, and flies hovering over them due to lack of hygiene. Ugly as in seeing people with disfigured faces and dismembered bodies, left behind as souvenirs of mindless wars. Ugly as in George W Bush's face.
What i'm trying to say here is that, the blind are in a sense better off than us (Pun definitely intended), because they don't have to see the ugly that we do. Yea, they are not able to see the beauty in the world too, but who says they can't imagine what beauty is to them. Lack of sight, does not inhibit their ability to imagine, and if they choose so they can imagine everything beautiful in their mind. And how cool would that be, a world where everything is beautiful.
But we know that such a world doesn't exist. That's because we can SEE that the world has its fair share of ugliness. Now if you are those who think that you need ugliness to appreciate beauty, please stop reading, and press the X at the top of this page. Cos i'm the sort who believes that while a BEAUTIFUL WORLD is nearly impossible to achieve, there is no loss or harm in us trying to create one. The blind can't see, yet there are many who are trying to better their lives. You, who are reading this, have near perfect vision, so what is there stopping you from making a difference to this world. Cliched dialogue isn't it? Wait till you read what's next.
Not everyone can become Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, or Jesus. Coincidentally, all of them were killed quite brutally, so it might not be a good idea to become like them too. But you can make a difference in your own way. Do one good deed a day, and you can make a difference. You have to do nothing big, just saying something as simple as "Hi Aunty, good morning! Have a very good day!", to the cleaner aunty that you see everyday counts as a good deed too, and trust me you will not know of the multiplier effect that a simple statement like that will have. For those who are feeling more benevolent you could try doing other things that are only limited by your effort and imagination. But make it a point to do one good deed a day, and you can do your part in making this world a better place.
I have made many mistakes in my life, but there is one reason why i have so much confidence in myself. That is because i know i am a good person, who tries his best to do good to those around him. And trust me, the feeling of joy when you have made someone's day is very hard to replace, unless of course by a good bottle's whisky with close buddies, but that's another story.
In short, everyday you are adding onto so much negativity in the world, and that is inevitable cos we are selfish people. The world itself is programmed to withstand some amount of negativity. But when the world runs out of people who neutralise the negativity by injecting positive energy, then we begin running into trouble. So why don't we take the step ourselves, instead of waiting for a Mahatma or a Christ or a cool Black preacher, who all will sadly get assasinated anyways.
Coming back to the issue of sight. The next time you see something, don't just see it. Sense it.. Cos i'll be getting into trouble if i were to ask you taste or smell everything you see, but you know what i mean. Don't just see it, Sense it.. And think about what you see.. What it really means, and why is it the way it is. Cos when humans stop thinking, that is the day the earth stops spinning. So live life.. Fully..
PS: To those who wish to know more about the "Dialogue in the Dark" a socially worthy collaboration by Ngee Ann Polytechnic, that deserves your support, please contact this pretty lady by the name of Jessica Ann Kiara. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1075521589&ref=ts
So we got to Ngee Ann Poly at about 1155am and proceeded to the place where the exhibition will be, still not knowing what to expect. As we got there, we were greeted by Jess-sick-ah and her group of volunteers who were helping this project, called "Dialogue in the Dark".
Basically Dialogue in the Dark is a tour where a group of individuals take an hour-long walk, in complete darkness, to go through ordinary situations that will seem extraordinary without the lack of sight. And that is all i'm going to say, because i want you to experience this yourself, and im not gonna spoil the surprise for you. But if you insist on knowing more about this, you can visit the following links.
http://www.dialogue-in-the-dark.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_in_the_Dark
Oh by the way, it was founded in Germany, trust those Germans to always come up with cool stuff.. I mean seriously. did you expect anything else? They founded OktoberFest afterall..
But yea, now i have been seriously affected by this tour. Think about it. How often have we taken our sight for granted. Even me for an example. Im sitting at my com, critiquing and disturbing various ppl from all walks of life, but will i be able to do a simple task as blogging without my eyesight? Its strange isn't it? Heck i wouldn't even be able to read, let alone type. But before you think this is gonna be a cliched post, lauding the power of sight, think again.
The question that has been running through my mind, is not just how often have we taken our sight for granted, but rather how many times have we just relied on sight neglecting our other senses. As human beings, we have been blessed/created/programmed/whatevernot with 5 senses. All EQUALLY as important as one another. But how often have we just fallen back on just one or 2 of the senses to make a decision.
"Oh my god, that food looks awesome.. It mus sure as well taste good."
"That dress looks so nice on that model. I have to get it, it will suit me.."
"I saw what he was doing, i dont think my eyes were playing tricks on me. He must be up to something funny"
Sounds familiar? Ever used any of these lines or similar ones b4? I have been guilty of alot more similar scenarios, and unapologetically so. I mean, i have good eyesight, (with my spectacles of course) and whats wrong with relying on my sight to make judgements.
There has to be a reason, why we were given other senses, and a brain to process what the senses acquire. If all we needed was an eye to make a decision, we wouldn't need the other senses, would we? And as i was thinking along that line, another idea sprang up in my brain. Maybe people without eyesight, are not really as sad, as we think they are or they ought to be.
Face it, they do not have to look at the dress they bought and think "Hey it doesn't look good on me". They will definitely not judge their next friend or lover simply based on looks, and thus have a higher chance of loving a person for who they really are, rather than how they look. Basically, there isn't any UGLY in their world. Ugly as in not the superficial, Jay-z like ugly who is really one ugly yet talented guy with a hot wife. But ugly as in the dirty polluted dilapidated factory that is seeping contaminated sewage into the river that provides drinking water. Ugly as in the sight of seeing young kids with bloated stomachs caused by extreme hunger, and flies hovering over them due to lack of hygiene. Ugly as in seeing people with disfigured faces and dismembered bodies, left behind as souvenirs of mindless wars. Ugly as in George W Bush's face.
What i'm trying to say here is that, the blind are in a sense better off than us (Pun definitely intended), because they don't have to see the ugly that we do. Yea, they are not able to see the beauty in the world too, but who says they can't imagine what beauty is to them. Lack of sight, does not inhibit their ability to imagine, and if they choose so they can imagine everything beautiful in their mind. And how cool would that be, a world where everything is beautiful.
But we know that such a world doesn't exist. That's because we can SEE that the world has its fair share of ugliness. Now if you are those who think that you need ugliness to appreciate beauty, please stop reading, and press the X at the top of this page. Cos i'm the sort who believes that while a BEAUTIFUL WORLD is nearly impossible to achieve, there is no loss or harm in us trying to create one. The blind can't see, yet there are many who are trying to better their lives. You, who are reading this, have near perfect vision, so what is there stopping you from making a difference to this world. Cliched dialogue isn't it? Wait till you read what's next.
Not everyone can become Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, or Jesus. Coincidentally, all of them were killed quite brutally, so it might not be a good idea to become like them too. But you can make a difference in your own way. Do one good deed a day, and you can make a difference. You have to do nothing big, just saying something as simple as "Hi Aunty, good morning! Have a very good day!", to the cleaner aunty that you see everyday counts as a good deed too, and trust me you will not know of the multiplier effect that a simple statement like that will have. For those who are feeling more benevolent you could try doing other things that are only limited by your effort and imagination. But make it a point to do one good deed a day, and you can do your part in making this world a better place.
I have made many mistakes in my life, but there is one reason why i have so much confidence in myself. That is because i know i am a good person, who tries his best to do good to those around him. And trust me, the feeling of joy when you have made someone's day is very hard to replace, unless of course by a good bottle's whisky with close buddies, but that's another story.
In short, everyday you are adding onto so much negativity in the world, and that is inevitable cos we are selfish people. The world itself is programmed to withstand some amount of negativity. But when the world runs out of people who neutralise the negativity by injecting positive energy, then we begin running into trouble. So why don't we take the step ourselves, instead of waiting for a Mahatma or a Christ or a cool Black preacher, who all will sadly get assasinated anyways.
Coming back to the issue of sight. The next time you see something, don't just see it. Sense it.. Cos i'll be getting into trouble if i were to ask you taste or smell everything you see, but you know what i mean. Don't just see it, Sense it.. And think about what you see.. What it really means, and why is it the way it is. Cos when humans stop thinking, that is the day the earth stops spinning. So live life.. Fully..
PS: To those who wish to know more about the "Dialogue in the Dark" a socially worthy collaboration by Ngee Ann Polytechnic, that deserves your support, please contact this pretty lady by the name of Jessica Ann Kiara. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1075521589&ref=ts
Thursday, October 22, 2009
What really matters..
Hi Guys. This is my first ever short story. Well its not that short. But do read it and gimme your true comments. I myself know that it is not up to standard, but i will try to come out with better ones as time goes by.
"Oh mom.. Look.. Isn't this bag just lovely?", exclaimed Susan in her phoniest of accents. Somehow Susan thought that having an accent went along perfectly with her job as one of the highest-flying marketing executives around. Well it definitely matched her paycheck, which was a healthy 5-figure sum monthly. "How much is it?", she asked the salesgirl who seemed very experienced in handling big-spending customers like Susan Tong. "Just give me a minute, Madam. I will check it out for you," she said bringing the bag along to the cashier console. By this time, Susan's mom was drifting into her own world of thoughts. Mrs Sharon Tong, still found it hard to adjust to life. It was just like yesterday, that she spent the night havin dinner with her husband Mark Tong. Now it was 8 months on since the death of her beloved husband. 32 lovely years of marriage, she often puts it. In many ways, Mark was the perfect man for her, and Mrs Tong still found it hard to accept that it has been 8 months since she scattered the ashes of her dead husband into the lapping waves of the sea.
Marty, was special. He knew it, and his family members reminded him of it. Well, no doubt Marty was just a fish. But he was a special kinda fish, his whole family was, they would say. Marty did not really understand what prime fish was, but that was how he was referred to in the sea kingdom and somehow that made him feel special, and in a totally unrelated way, smart too.. I'm destined for greater things, he always used to say as he swam around in the sea, swimming into corals and taunting other fish. He seemed to believe it too, as he waited for his defining moment. The one that would really cement his status as a "Special Fish". That day was no different too. He was swimming around with the same air of confidence, as everyday. And then he noticed it. Darkness seemed to engulf the part of the sea he was in, something was definitely descending into the waters. Didn't seem dangerous, but Marty had a feeling. A feeling that this might be his moment after all.
Immediately after Mr Tong's Death, it was unanimously decided that he would be cremated and his ashes scattered into the Yangtze River. That was what he had planned with his wife several years ago. Mr Tong, was a very meticulous man. Simple, but meticulous. "Have enough to eat well, save enough to have 1 holiday a year, and that would make your life a wonderful one," He often used to tell his daughter Susan. But his words, could not have gone unheard ever more spectacularly. Susan was the polar opposite of her parents. Growing up, she was a very determined and competitive girl. As she entered adulthood, she became even more so. Money, Fame and success was all one needed to have a happy life, or so she thought. But she never could define success. That never mattered though. She found ways to live the high life, and defined that as one more piece of the jigsaw puzzle of success.
"Definitely not! I will never agree to it. Your father would never want that and you know it!", shouted Mrs Tong amidst her grief. Susan's idea of scattering her father's ashes at a neighbouring country's beach resort not only seemed preposterous to Sharon but also smacked as a grave act of filial impiety. It was always only going to be Yangtze river and that was what Sharon wanted to also. But Susan had her own pragmatic reasons for choosing the beach resort. It was definitely cheaper, and it could serve as a idyllic getaway for the two of them after dealing with the pressures and stress of her dad's funeral. Besides, Susan wanted to explore the island in her bid to market her company's latest products in that part of the world. It was like killing 3 birds with one stone, and it very much appealed to Susan. "Oh come on Mom, the sea at the resort will eventually connect with the Yangtze river, and besides wads in the place anyway? Its the symbolic action that matters." Eventually Susan, the pragmatist won the argument, and they were soon in the boat that took them into the middle of the sea. Mrs Tong took one huge breath before she opened the urn, and scattered the contents into the sea. She made a mental note to keep just a little bit with her. Remnants of the one person who completed her life.
Swimming gracefully, yet powerfully Marty approached the strange looking objects that were floating into the sea. "This must be the special food, that is gonna change my life," thought Marty as he took a few mouthfuls. "Damn, this doesn't taste special. It doesnt even taste horrible. It tastes normal. I'm pretty sure this is not how the "special food" is supposed to taste like," Marty wondered to himself as he continued gobbling up whatever remained of the powdery-like substance. "Marty!!! WATCH OUT!!", his best friend exclaimed. But it was all too late, before Marty could react, he was caught in the net that was cast by the boat above. Together with many of his family members swimming in the vicinity. They were all caught and hauled up into the small fishing boat. Marty was gasping for air, as he heard the humans talking. "Excellent catch! Now this is what i call prime fish. They will surely fetch a good price at the market. Now i can finally buy my kids the textbooks that they have been asking for," the excited fisherman told himself grinning widely with true satisfaction. Marty too was satisfied. He finally knew what the meaning of prime fish meant, as he gasped for his final few breaths.
Crazy croco they called him in the reptile farm. This particular crocodile had a nasty temper, and would randomly attack its keepers. Almost all of the keepers couldn't wait for it to grow up. "We feed him well, yet he behaves like sucha bitch", the keepers whined as they threw the prime fish into the enclosed area where Crazy was lazing around. But Crazy knew better. He knew that although life would be harder in the wild, being in a reptile farm was almost like a terminal illness. You just wait for your time. He tried telling this to all the other crocodiles, in a bid to start a revolt, but was rebuffed further enhancing his reputation as Crazy. "Just eat your food and be happy, Crazy!", he was often told. Only one of the keepers there, Salman, was nice to Crazy. Personally he was against the reptile farm idea, but as an ex-convict he could not find jobs anywhere else. As a result, he swallowed his values, and tried to redeem himself by being nice to the reptiles. "Who would complain of being cruel to this ugly reptiles? They make exotic and expensive meat, their leather can be sold at a a high price, they breed like crazy and no one is ever gonna accuse you of being cruel to a ugly crocodile whose relative killed that lovely guy Steve Irwin," lectured Mr Ang, the owner of the reptile farm. "Err, it wasn't the crocodile that killed Steve, it was a stingray," corrected Salman. "Does it matter, all same family! And if stingrays gave me a high profit margin i will create a stingray farm too," exclaimed Mr Ang showing himself as the ultra entrepreneur of the 21st century.
"What?? 18k for such a small bag? You must be crazy, Susan!," shrieked Mrs Tong in a voice that startled the salesgirl as well as a few other shoppers around. "Sshh ma.. Don't embarass me. Its only 18k, not as if its 180k you know. Besides this is authentic crocodile leather made from locally-bred crocodiles, has a wonderful finish and it feels so comfortable too. And to top it all off, they only have two such pieces in Singapore. I'm taking it mother. It is a very reasonable price." Susan explained to her mother the merit of buying the bag in a matter-of-factly manner. Withing minutes, she finished the payment and walked out of the store holding her mother's hands and feeling so proud of her latest acquisition.
She was feeling even prouder of herself at night, as she managed to pull off the unthinkable in such a perfect manner, that her mom was totally acceptable to it. Or so she thought.
Mrs Tong, tried to close her eyes to sleep, but she only managed to find tears welling up. Images of her husband breathing his last breath, as he collapsed due to a heart attack was replaying in her heart. But that was not the reason for her tears. What her daughter told her earlier was. Susan explained the reasons for her decision, "Ma, i'm not doing so well in work anymore, and its very difficult to maintain such a big house. The property market is very good now. The best time to sell. I could move into a condominium that i will be sharing with Jason. But don't worry ma. I have not forgotten you. How could i? You have given me such a good life. I know you are feeling so lonely without dad. And that is why, i have arranged for you to be housed at the Home. Its not like a old folks home. The place is fully luxurious, and you will have all facilities that you need. Its very hi-tech. And you will have so much of friends. Besides, i'm never at home, and im so worried about your health. With you at the Home, receiving 24-hour worldclass attention. I will be so relieved. And don't worry, you don't have to pay a single cent. I'll fork out for it out of the section that Pa left for me, asking to take care of you. So you don't have to worry about anything." As soon as Susan finished, Mrs Tong went silent. And as they say silence is acceptance. Or so Susan assumed and that was it, in 3 days, Mrs Tong will be shifted to the Home. To live out the remaining days of her life.
"Oh mom.. Look.. Isn't this bag just lovely?", exclaimed Susan in her phoniest of accents. Somehow Susan thought that having an accent went along perfectly with her job as one of the highest-flying marketing executives around. Well it definitely matched her paycheck, which was a healthy 5-figure sum monthly. "How much is it?", she asked the salesgirl who seemed very experienced in handling big-spending customers like Susan Tong. "Just give me a minute, Madam. I will check it out for you," she said bringing the bag along to the cashier console. By this time, Susan's mom was drifting into her own world of thoughts. Mrs Sharon Tong, still found it hard to adjust to life. It was just like yesterday, that she spent the night havin dinner with her husband Mark Tong. Now it was 8 months on since the death of her beloved husband. 32 lovely years of marriage, she often puts it. In many ways, Mark was the perfect man for her, and Mrs Tong still found it hard to accept that it has been 8 months since she scattered the ashes of her dead husband into the lapping waves of the sea.
Marty, was special. He knew it, and his family members reminded him of it. Well, no doubt Marty was just a fish. But he was a special kinda fish, his whole family was, they would say. Marty did not really understand what prime fish was, but that was how he was referred to in the sea kingdom and somehow that made him feel special, and in a totally unrelated way, smart too.. I'm destined for greater things, he always used to say as he swam around in the sea, swimming into corals and taunting other fish. He seemed to believe it too, as he waited for his defining moment. The one that would really cement his status as a "Special Fish". That day was no different too. He was swimming around with the same air of confidence, as everyday. And then he noticed it. Darkness seemed to engulf the part of the sea he was in, something was definitely descending into the waters. Didn't seem dangerous, but Marty had a feeling. A feeling that this might be his moment after all.
Immediately after Mr Tong's Death, it was unanimously decided that he would be cremated and his ashes scattered into the Yangtze River. That was what he had planned with his wife several years ago. Mr Tong, was a very meticulous man. Simple, but meticulous. "Have enough to eat well, save enough to have 1 holiday a year, and that would make your life a wonderful one," He often used to tell his daughter Susan. But his words, could not have gone unheard ever more spectacularly. Susan was the polar opposite of her parents. Growing up, she was a very determined and competitive girl. As she entered adulthood, she became even more so. Money, Fame and success was all one needed to have a happy life, or so she thought. But she never could define success. That never mattered though. She found ways to live the high life, and defined that as one more piece of the jigsaw puzzle of success.
"Definitely not! I will never agree to it. Your father would never want that and you know it!", shouted Mrs Tong amidst her grief. Susan's idea of scattering her father's ashes at a neighbouring country's beach resort not only seemed preposterous to Sharon but also smacked as a grave act of filial impiety. It was always only going to be Yangtze river and that was what Sharon wanted to also. But Susan had her own pragmatic reasons for choosing the beach resort. It was definitely cheaper, and it could serve as a idyllic getaway for the two of them after dealing with the pressures and stress of her dad's funeral. Besides, Susan wanted to explore the island in her bid to market her company's latest products in that part of the world. It was like killing 3 birds with one stone, and it very much appealed to Susan. "Oh come on Mom, the sea at the resort will eventually connect with the Yangtze river, and besides wads in the place anyway? Its the symbolic action that matters." Eventually Susan, the pragmatist won the argument, and they were soon in the boat that took them into the middle of the sea. Mrs Tong took one huge breath before she opened the urn, and scattered the contents into the sea. She made a mental note to keep just a little bit with her. Remnants of the one person who completed her life.
Swimming gracefully, yet powerfully Marty approached the strange looking objects that were floating into the sea. "This must be the special food, that is gonna change my life," thought Marty as he took a few mouthfuls. "Damn, this doesn't taste special. It doesnt even taste horrible. It tastes normal. I'm pretty sure this is not how the "special food" is supposed to taste like," Marty wondered to himself as he continued gobbling up whatever remained of the powdery-like substance. "Marty!!! WATCH OUT!!", his best friend exclaimed. But it was all too late, before Marty could react, he was caught in the net that was cast by the boat above. Together with many of his family members swimming in the vicinity. They were all caught and hauled up into the small fishing boat. Marty was gasping for air, as he heard the humans talking. "Excellent catch! Now this is what i call prime fish. They will surely fetch a good price at the market. Now i can finally buy my kids the textbooks that they have been asking for," the excited fisherman told himself grinning widely with true satisfaction. Marty too was satisfied. He finally knew what the meaning of prime fish meant, as he gasped for his final few breaths.
Crazy croco they called him in the reptile farm. This particular crocodile had a nasty temper, and would randomly attack its keepers. Almost all of the keepers couldn't wait for it to grow up. "We feed him well, yet he behaves like sucha bitch", the keepers whined as they threw the prime fish into the enclosed area where Crazy was lazing around. But Crazy knew better. He knew that although life would be harder in the wild, being in a reptile farm was almost like a terminal illness. You just wait for your time. He tried telling this to all the other crocodiles, in a bid to start a revolt, but was rebuffed further enhancing his reputation as Crazy. "Just eat your food and be happy, Crazy!", he was often told. Only one of the keepers there, Salman, was nice to Crazy. Personally he was against the reptile farm idea, but as an ex-convict he could not find jobs anywhere else. As a result, he swallowed his values, and tried to redeem himself by being nice to the reptiles. "Who would complain of being cruel to this ugly reptiles? They make exotic and expensive meat, their leather can be sold at a a high price, they breed like crazy and no one is ever gonna accuse you of being cruel to a ugly crocodile whose relative killed that lovely guy Steve Irwin," lectured Mr Ang, the owner of the reptile farm. "Err, it wasn't the crocodile that killed Steve, it was a stingray," corrected Salman. "Does it matter, all same family! And if stingrays gave me a high profit margin i will create a stingray farm too," exclaimed Mr Ang showing himself as the ultra entrepreneur of the 21st century.
"What?? 18k for such a small bag? You must be crazy, Susan!," shrieked Mrs Tong in a voice that startled the salesgirl as well as a few other shoppers around. "Sshh ma.. Don't embarass me. Its only 18k, not as if its 180k you know. Besides this is authentic crocodile leather made from locally-bred crocodiles, has a wonderful finish and it feels so comfortable too. And to top it all off, they only have two such pieces in Singapore. I'm taking it mother. It is a very reasonable price." Susan explained to her mother the merit of buying the bag in a matter-of-factly manner. Withing minutes, she finished the payment and walked out of the store holding her mother's hands and feeling so proud of her latest acquisition.
She was feeling even prouder of herself at night, as she managed to pull off the unthinkable in such a perfect manner, that her mom was totally acceptable to it. Or so she thought.
Mrs Tong, tried to close her eyes to sleep, but she only managed to find tears welling up. Images of her husband breathing his last breath, as he collapsed due to a heart attack was replaying in her heart. But that was not the reason for her tears. What her daughter told her earlier was. Susan explained the reasons for her decision, "Ma, i'm not doing so well in work anymore, and its very difficult to maintain such a big house. The property market is very good now. The best time to sell. I could move into a condominium that i will be sharing with Jason. But don't worry ma. I have not forgotten you. How could i? You have given me such a good life. I know you are feeling so lonely without dad. And that is why, i have arranged for you to be housed at the Home. Its not like a old folks home. The place is fully luxurious, and you will have all facilities that you need. Its very hi-tech. And you will have so much of friends. Besides, i'm never at home, and im so worried about your health. With you at the Home, receiving 24-hour worldclass attention. I will be so relieved. And don't worry, you don't have to pay a single cent. I'll fork out for it out of the section that Pa left for me, asking to take care of you. So you don't have to worry about anything." As soon as Susan finished, Mrs Tong went silent. And as they say silence is acceptance. Or so Susan assumed and that was it, in 3 days, Mrs Tong will be shifted to the Home. To live out the remaining days of her life.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
A fantastic attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.
I just saw something on the tamil news that nearly had me choke on the food i was eating. Now don't get me wrong. I love the tamil news, probably one of the most credible programmes they have on Vasantham. But what i saw, flipped me out. But before i go on further, please visit the following link. Now now, don't read on. Just click the link and surf that page for a while. Cmon i say, click the link, i've already hyper-linked it for you. Won't take more than 5 mins, I hope.
http://www.aceclub.com.sg/
Ok, now that we have orientated you to the subject matter, let me to the crux of wad i saw in the news. Apparently, this enterprising club, decided to do something really unique for deepavali. They decided to have a marathon 36-hour, clubbing session to usher in Deepavali, in a novel way, in the process creating a world record. How nobel we say of the organisers to give a truly new meaning to the Festival of Lights. Now i really have no problem with the event itself, if u wanna do something unique, go ahead. That is your prerogative. But i have a huge problem with how this whole thing was packaged and sold, ON THE TAMIL NEWS!!
Listen, Deepavali was, is and will always be the Festival of lights. Now i'm not gonna preach on the religious significance, cos simply im not religious. But isn't it a bit too incredulous, to exploit deepavali to promote your club? I mean everybody jacks up their prices during deepavali, but tryin to show that you are a unique club that is creating a special significance this deepavali sounds just a little too far fetched for me.
Ok this is wad happened, in the interview on THE TAMIL NEWS, this participant named Venkat, who apparently took part in this marathon clubbing session to usher in Deepavali, said that he found this a very different and unique experience to celebrating deepavali rather than spending it with your friends, family or parents. NOPE im not making this up, he said those exact words. And then he went on to preach some humblah about ACE which i wasn't really payin attention to, cos i was turned off by his earlier statement itself. Oh and did i forgot to mention, this mysterious 'participant' who came to usher in deepavali via clubbing, is actually a marketing executive of ACE paid to promote the club. So he isn't technically a participant. But nvm.
Then came the organiser, a certain Vijayavarman, whom i actually like as a person. He was a bit more refined, in speaking about the technical difficulties of organising such a event in a short 1 weeks' notice and how he felt so much satisfaction at its success. Oh well, im amazed by and respect his competence and professionalism. But i can't help but mention that i'm pretty sure there were other areas in society that could use his talent. I mean, im sure there are lotsa other social problems that could use this level of expertise to be solved. But im also sure, he wont get paid that well solving the social problems. Neither will it be anywhere glamourous. So its a purely business decision that this man took, so why publicise it on THE TAMIL NEWS, as if he became the first singaporean to reach Mt Everest? This was just a publicity stunt by an Indian Night club. What's the big hoo-hah about? Why must it appear on THE TAMIL NEWS? Why package it as if it were a social salvation?? Like clubbing for 36 hours is some big shit. A few months ago, a group of our very own brethren starved for more than 36 hours to highlight the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils.. Now that's worthy of being on THE TAMIL NEWS. Not this.
Finally, my own personal take on this Ace Club. Well i have technically been there once. Nice place. Nice ambience. Nice crowd, alot of NUS students frequent there i heard. Sources inform me, that ACE has actually sponsored the NUS Tamil Language Society's keynote event Sangae Muzhangu. In return for wad i dunno, but word has it that ACE has a bistro bar lined up to be opened in NUS campus. So yea, very good marketing and business plan by ACE. And kudos to that. They also have talented people on their team running the show, so congrats on that too. But what i have to HIGHLIGHT here is that, you are a business! And your aim is to make profits. Simple. Please do not portray yourself as some revolutionary of social change. The clubbing scene is too small to make such a change. A social activist trying to make financial gain, and businessman posing as an agent of social change are both equally repulsing. So please leave my TAMIL NEWS out of your tiny little adventures. In fact, im sending this link to the team at the TAMIL NEWS. Cos i watch them everyday without fail, and i have high regards to their integrity. And i find this small segment a tarnish on their image. If they think otherwise, they are more than welcome to write to me back, and even scold me. I wouldn't mind, cos i have trust in their professionalism. But as for ACE, please remain a business i say, and try to make profits.
Btw for those of you wondering, i spend my Deepavali eve on the roads of tekka soaking in the atmosphere and getting drunk, and my Deepavali night in the best indian nightclub in Singapore, whose name i need not mention. But you wont catch me telling that on tamil news, cos i know as much as you do, that there are better ways to spend Deepavalis. And i hope to practise what i preach someday soon.
http://www.aceclub.com.sg/
Ok, now that we have orientated you to the subject matter, let me to the crux of wad i saw in the news. Apparently, this enterprising club, decided to do something really unique for deepavali. They decided to have a marathon 36-hour, clubbing session to usher in Deepavali, in a novel way, in the process creating a world record. How nobel we say of the organisers to give a truly new meaning to the Festival of Lights. Now i really have no problem with the event itself, if u wanna do something unique, go ahead. That is your prerogative. But i have a huge problem with how this whole thing was packaged and sold, ON THE TAMIL NEWS!!
Listen, Deepavali was, is and will always be the Festival of lights. Now i'm not gonna preach on the religious significance, cos simply im not religious. But isn't it a bit too incredulous, to exploit deepavali to promote your club? I mean everybody jacks up their prices during deepavali, but tryin to show that you are a unique club that is creating a special significance this deepavali sounds just a little too far fetched for me.
Ok this is wad happened, in the interview on THE TAMIL NEWS, this participant named Venkat, who apparently took part in this marathon clubbing session to usher in Deepavali, said that he found this a very different and unique experience to celebrating deepavali rather than spending it with your friends, family or parents. NOPE im not making this up, he said those exact words. And then he went on to preach some humblah about ACE which i wasn't really payin attention to, cos i was turned off by his earlier statement itself. Oh and did i forgot to mention, this mysterious 'participant' who came to usher in deepavali via clubbing, is actually a marketing executive of ACE paid to promote the club. So he isn't technically a participant. But nvm.
Then came the organiser, a certain Vijayavarman, whom i actually like as a person. He was a bit more refined, in speaking about the technical difficulties of organising such a event in a short 1 weeks' notice and how he felt so much satisfaction at its success. Oh well, im amazed by and respect his competence and professionalism. But i can't help but mention that i'm pretty sure there were other areas in society that could use his talent. I mean, im sure there are lotsa other social problems that could use this level of expertise to be solved. But im also sure, he wont get paid that well solving the social problems. Neither will it be anywhere glamourous. So its a purely business decision that this man took, so why publicise it on THE TAMIL NEWS, as if he became the first singaporean to reach Mt Everest? This was just a publicity stunt by an Indian Night club. What's the big hoo-hah about? Why must it appear on THE TAMIL NEWS? Why package it as if it were a social salvation?? Like clubbing for 36 hours is some big shit. A few months ago, a group of our very own brethren starved for more than 36 hours to highlight the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils.. Now that's worthy of being on THE TAMIL NEWS. Not this.
Finally, my own personal take on this Ace Club. Well i have technically been there once. Nice place. Nice ambience. Nice crowd, alot of NUS students frequent there i heard. Sources inform me, that ACE has actually sponsored the NUS Tamil Language Society's keynote event Sangae Muzhangu. In return for wad i dunno, but word has it that ACE has a bistro bar lined up to be opened in NUS campus. So yea, very good marketing and business plan by ACE. And kudos to that. They also have talented people on their team running the show, so congrats on that too. But what i have to HIGHLIGHT here is that, you are a business! And your aim is to make profits. Simple. Please do not portray yourself as some revolutionary of social change. The clubbing scene is too small to make such a change. A social activist trying to make financial gain, and businessman posing as an agent of social change are both equally repulsing. So please leave my TAMIL NEWS out of your tiny little adventures. In fact, im sending this link to the team at the TAMIL NEWS. Cos i watch them everyday without fail, and i have high regards to their integrity. And i find this small segment a tarnish on their image. If they think otherwise, they are more than welcome to write to me back, and even scold me. I wouldn't mind, cos i have trust in their professionalism. But as for ACE, please remain a business i say, and try to make profits.
Btw for those of you wondering, i spend my Deepavali eve on the roads of tekka soaking in the atmosphere and getting drunk, and my Deepavali night in the best indian nightclub in Singapore, whose name i need not mention. But you wont catch me telling that on tamil news, cos i know as much as you do, that there are better ways to spend Deepavalis. And i hope to practise what i preach someday soon.
Spiderman Returns
Yet another start. Yet another new beginning i say. Wrong. Im tired of all this new beginnings. Im probably the most fickle person i know. And i have grown to accept that fact. Whatever my life turns out from now, i know one thng for sure, it will not take the path that most normal people take. But no, if u think this is gonna be a egocentric blog about myself, then i would ask u to hold ur opinion just for a bit. Do not judge me yet. I won't score that many marks in anybody's report card, but dun be too quick to judge me. Get to know wad i have to say first, then u can mark me down. For i don't really care about any1's marks. Actually.. no.. I do.. I very much care about ur marks.. But i wont waste time crying about the low impression i have left on u. i will just wait for time to prove me right, and prove you wrong.. To quote an awesome TamilNadu actor, Dhanush, "I'm not a person you like immediately. People like me, have to be liked over a span of time".
So yea, go on and bookmark this blog. For you know, and i know that it will be an awesome one. I have been wanting to set-up one for quite some time. But i haven't really had the inspiration to write anything, though my heart has been set ablaze by numerous events and nonsensical happenings that have been taking place. This will be a platform to air my feelings and my opinions. And there will definitely be a chatbox, please diss me and debate wif me over my opinions. Nothing keeps me going more than a good doze of argument. So that's it. The first post is over. So short? Well ithu chumma trailer.. Wait for the main picture.. How is it?? Onli you can say..
So yea, go on and bookmark this blog. For you know, and i know that it will be an awesome one. I have been wanting to set-up one for quite some time. But i haven't really had the inspiration to write anything, though my heart has been set ablaze by numerous events and nonsensical happenings that have been taking place. This will be a platform to air my feelings and my opinions. And there will definitely be a chatbox, please diss me and debate wif me over my opinions. Nothing keeps me going more than a good doze of argument. So that's it. The first post is over. So short? Well ithu chumma trailer.. Wait for the main picture.. How is it?? Onli you can say..
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