There's never much talk but touches and looks, smiles together, curses for parting.
It is marginal, hungry, chilly
but it's something they want to keep,
so much that to keep it they will take on much more then propaganda has ever asked them for.
They are in love. Fuck the War.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
It's not where we start, it's how we end.
I met an interesting old man during the long CNY break.
I was drinking with my mates after a long day of visiting relatives(more exhaustive then a day at the gym!) at Brewerks, the makers of awesome awesome beer. We chatted for a long while before parting to make our way back home.
That was where I met him. No, not the transsexual "ladies" that came out in force that night(for a change of environment or fishing a better catch then army boys I guess) but a old men well in his seventies.
Over the years, I've trained a good listening ear, mostly from listening to too many GF/BF/Political stories from my friends which typically lasts for hours on end. This man looked like he was bursting with stories to tell, so I allowed him have the opportunity to do so.
To cut the story short(as it was a good long talk), I found out that he was a rather accomplished man.
Made it into the first batch of Officer Cadets in a fledgling SAF back in 1967. (A very rare opportunity back in those days)
One of the first batches of Singapore Polytechnic graduates. (In an era where a PSLE was something, a diploma was equivalent to a degree or higher)
An Economic Development Board scholar (Again a very rare opportunity back in the bad old days)
His command of English was top rate, with a smattering of British phrases and words as it must have been taught to him back then.
He was however a bitter old man, complaining about his life, how scholars this days were simpletons, the nation treating us as second class citizens, the army, and many more.
There was a lot more that I wanted to ask him about but alas, I arrived at my stop. So I paid the fare and left.
Because you see, "He", the officer and the scholar, was my Taxi Driver.
In addendum,
I do not wish to belittle this fine old man I met as he has already done and seen so much as compared to myself. I do however find it a shame that he, with all his knowledge and expertise, ended up in this manner. Retired but forced to drive a taxi, an occupation one does not take up for leisure but as a last resort.
I was drinking with my mates after a long day of visiting relatives(more exhaustive then a day at the gym!) at Brewerks, the makers of awesome awesome beer. We chatted for a long while before parting to make our way back home.
That was where I met him. No, not the transsexual "ladies" that came out in force that night(for a change of environment or fishing a better catch then army boys I guess) but a old men well in his seventies.
Over the years, I've trained a good listening ear, mostly from listening to too many GF/BF/Political stories from my friends which typically lasts for hours on end. This man looked like he was bursting with stories to tell, so I allowed him have the opportunity to do so.
To cut the story short(as it was a good long talk), I found out that he was a rather accomplished man.
Made it into the first batch of Officer Cadets in a fledgling SAF back in 1967. (A very rare opportunity back in those days)
One of the first batches of Singapore Polytechnic graduates. (In an era where a PSLE was something, a diploma was equivalent to a degree or higher)
An Economic Development Board scholar (Again a very rare opportunity back in the bad old days)
His command of English was top rate, with a smattering of British phrases and words as it must have been taught to him back then.
He was however a bitter old man, complaining about his life, how scholars this days were simpletons, the nation treating us as second class citizens, the army, and many more.
There was a lot more that I wanted to ask him about but alas, I arrived at my stop. So I paid the fare and left.
Because you see, "He", the officer and the scholar, was my Taxi Driver.
In addendum,
I do not wish to belittle this fine old man I met as he has already done and seen so much as compared to myself. I do however find it a shame that he, with all his knowledge and expertise, ended up in this manner. Retired but forced to drive a taxi, an occupation one does not take up for leisure but as a last resort.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
A new beginning
Is what you say when you start a new day, bright and early and raring to go.
It wanes as you see the mountain of junk you have to clear.
It tends to zero (very close to, but not just yet) as you see and hear the whole closet shaking with cockroaches as you approach.
It increases as you charge in with your battle roar, two cans of bug spray and a very loose trigger finger.
It wanes again as you clear out the items inside liberally laced with cockroach dung and empty egg casings with your bare hands.
It soars as you find a rare item in working condition, bug dung or not.
It dips as you see the mountain of rubbish that you have cleared but now have to sort and pack, ready for disposal.
It rises as you look back at 20 heaping bags of trash with a sense of achievement.
It gets hard when you think of the work tomorrow, the week after and the month ahead.
It wanes as you see the mountain of junk you have to clear.
It tends to zero (very close to, but not just yet) as you see and hear the whole closet shaking with cockroaches as you approach.
It increases as you charge in with your battle roar, two cans of bug spray and a very loose trigger finger.
It wanes again as you clear out the items inside liberally laced with cockroach dung and empty egg casings with your bare hands.
It soars as you find a rare item in working condition, bug dung or not.
It dips as you see the mountain of rubbish that you have cleared but now have to sort and pack, ready for disposal.
It rises as you look back at 20 heaping bags of trash with a sense of achievement.
It gets hard when you think of the work tomorrow, the week after and the month ahead.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Shame on you, random (insert job description here) service provider!
Had a cup of the most awful tea-o (Chinese inspired English Breakfast Tea) today. It didn't wait to try to kill me, no it went straight for the throat. Approximately 5 seconds after I drained my cup, I felt nauseous, the kind where you feel like puking.
No, seriously.
Excused myself to visit the bathroom and took a big gulp of water from the nearby watercooler (conveniently placed near a toilet where the aroma will enhance the drinking experience) and walking around for a while till it subsided. Told my friend after and he said it happened to him thrice already! Shame on you, you random food service provider!
And if it wasn't enough already, I was accused of colourblindness when registering for my driver's licence... Yea sure, the results from your $50 machine operated by a untrained admin staff member takes precidence over two recent professional medical examinations that cleared me of any sort of colourblindness.
And her remedy? "Oh, please change your specs before the next examination to correct your colourblindness. Anyway, I'm still going to put your grade as pass."
I refused to comment anymore after what she said.
Shame on you, random counter service provider!
What took the cake was the taxi driver that sent G's dad to the wrong address and insisted it was the correct address before dumping him off at that location, leaving him to fend for himself.
Not much of a problem for a fit 20 year old man like myself, but he's a 80 year old diabetic. However the warrior spirit living in him still fights on and he knocked on a stranger's door to ask for directions back home.
You may not be reading this, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you Mr Brandon for being the good Samaritan to send him back home with your own vehicle.
Evidently, he was also so taken with G's Dad's war stories that he drove an extra round to hear him out longer!
Doubly shame on you, random taxi service provider! I would have sent him (G's dad back) home even if it was for free because this isn't a matter of money anymore. Would you want your own parents to be treated that way or even yourself as you grow old later on in life?
Shame Shame Shame on you, random (insert job description here) service providers!
No, seriously.
Excused myself to visit the bathroom and took a big gulp of water from the nearby watercooler (conveniently placed near a toilet where the aroma will enhance the drinking experience) and walking around for a while till it subsided. Told my friend after and he said it happened to him thrice already! Shame on you, you random food service provider!
And if it wasn't enough already, I was accused of colourblindness when registering for my driver's licence... Yea sure, the results from your $50 machine operated by a untrained admin staff member takes precidence over two recent professional medical examinations that cleared me of any sort of colourblindness.
And her remedy? "Oh, please change your specs before the next examination to correct your colourblindness. Anyway, I'm still going to put your grade as pass."
I refused to comment anymore after what she said.
Shame on you, random counter service provider!
What took the cake was the taxi driver that sent G's dad to the wrong address and insisted it was the correct address before dumping him off at that location, leaving him to fend for himself.
Not much of a problem for a fit 20 year old man like myself, but he's a 80 year old diabetic. However the warrior spirit living in him still fights on and he knocked on a stranger's door to ask for directions back home.
You may not be reading this, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you Mr Brandon for being the good Samaritan to send him back home with your own vehicle.
Evidently, he was also so taken with G's Dad's war stories that he drove an extra round to hear him out longer!
Doubly shame on you, random taxi service provider! I would have sent him (G's dad back) home even if it was for free because this isn't a matter of money anymore. Would you want your own parents to be treated that way or even yourself as you grow old later on in life?
Shame Shame Shame on you, random (insert job description here) service providers!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Many thanks
A Prayer to the Lord
Dear Lord Jesus,
I thank you for the great works and many blessings you have bestowed onto me.
Thank you especially for putting me in a position where I can help many others and guide them to the right path. And where I too can stretch my wings and do my best.
I ask for your wisdom and strength as I do my best to in that position.
Please teach me where I lack, Guide me when I am lost and Carry me when I tire.
I persevere on to be a beacon of light for you.
In your precious name I pray,
Amen
Dear Lord Jesus,
I thank you for the great works and many blessings you have bestowed onto me.
Thank you especially for putting me in a position where I can help many others and guide them to the right path. And where I too can stretch my wings and do my best.
I ask for your wisdom and strength as I do my best to in that position.
Please teach me where I lack, Guide me when I am lost and Carry me when I tire.
I persevere on to be a beacon of light for you.
In your precious name I pray,
Amen
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Gut feeling
(With no callous intent or block headed emotion to those who have suffered a shattering dual blow yesterday)
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
-Romans 8:18
There is a trembling in my body
A thunderstorm in my brain
A hurricane in my heart
I find that through the events of yesterday that I am never more driven to succeed.
Never. Not even half.
My hands and legs can't stop shaking as I type this.
We are going to do this, we are going to make it work
And we are going to succeed.
We're in the drivers' seat now and the lights' flashing
3
2
1
Go!
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
-Romans 8:18
There is a trembling in my body
A thunderstorm in my brain
A hurricane in my heart
I find that through the events of yesterday that I am never more driven to succeed.
Never. Not even half.
My hands and legs can't stop shaking as I type this.
We are going to do this, we are going to make it work
And we are going to succeed.
We're in the drivers' seat now and the lights' flashing
3
2
1
Go!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Rollercoaster ride, going up, down and away.
16 January 2009
A day never felt so surreal.
Nor did I experience so many things happening at the same time before.
To the two people whom I owe plenty but yet do not demand a cent back in return, I hope the both of you take comfort in this verses:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
-2 Timothy 4 v7-8
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
-Psalm 34 v.18
Weeping may endure through the night,
But Joy comes in the morning.
-Psalm 30 v.5b
---
"When there is destruction, there is creation"
That though keeps popping in my mind.
With death, comes the joy of a new life.
With rejection, comes the drive and fervor to press on to our goal.
With the disruption of plans, comes new opportunities of growth and action.
With the threat of diminishing funds, comes the drive to succeed.
The glass is always half full, not half empty.
---
A day never felt so surreal.
Nor did I experience so many things happening at the same time before.
To the two people whom I owe plenty but yet do not demand a cent back in return, I hope the both of you take comfort in this verses:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
-2 Timothy 4 v7-8
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
-Psalm 34 v.18
Weeping may endure through the night,
But Joy comes in the morning.
-Psalm 30 v.5b
---
"When there is destruction, there is creation"
That though keeps popping in my mind.
With death, comes the joy of a new life.
With rejection, comes the drive and fervor to press on to our goal.
With the disruption of plans, comes new opportunities of growth and action.With the threat of diminishing funds, comes the drive to succeed.
The glass is always half full, not half empty.
---
Thursday, January 15, 2009
What you DO not want to hear while on show
"I hate school it's been really demoralising. I'm not lying when I say that my ASM is a weirdo.... who I can't really work well with because she just smiles...without talking or doing anything else. Technically it's kinda freaky, but I've gotta deal with it aye?"
-Julia
Reading about Julia and her woes with her ASM reminds me of the good old days of school production and your ASM reminds me of my own SM during my first show with G. Imagine on the day of the performance, while it's ongoing and you're the lighting personal.
Characters:
SM - RyanASM - Joanne
Lighting - Samuel (me)
Sound - Sandra
Scene:
Backstage in a school blackbox theater, halfway through show.
Lighting state:Spot on Lighting, SM and Sound crew, 10%.
Samuel: (quietly) Ok, lights 1 and 2 fade down to 50%, up no.3 to 90%.
Joanne: (quietly) Sam sam!
Samuel: (quietly) What is it Joanne?
Joanne: (quietly) It's Ryan, he's..... (mumbling)
Samuel: (slightly agitated) What? Speak up Joanne.
Joanne: (slightly agitated) It's Ryan, he's SLEEPING!
Samuel: (Quietly Very Agitated) WHAT?
(Turns to position where Ryan and Sandra is located. Sandra is obviously very agitated while Ryan is peacefully sawing wood)
Spot on Ryan, Sandra 50%
Samuel: (hand gestures) WHAT-THE-FUCK-IS-HE-DOING? WE'RE-IN-THE-MIDDLE- OF-THE-SHOW!
Sandra: (unprintable reply)
Ryan: Snore~~
(Samuel turns to a now very agitated ASM)
Samuel: Ok, just run as per normal. We did it before so many times and we'll do it again.
Joanne: (nervous but resolute) Ok.
(Joanne shifts back to her position while Samuel signals to Sandra)
Samuel: (hand gestures) CONTINUE-AS-NORMAL-OK?
Sandra: (hand gestures) OK-(Yet more unprintable gestures)
Ryan: Snore~~
-- After curtain call --
Ryan: (cheerful) Hey guys, that was a wonderful show! Great job!
Joanne: (irritated) No thanks to you.
Samuel: (irritated) ...
Sandra: (picks up random blunt object)
(Ryan gets mauled to death with blunt object)
Blackout
---
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
In the end, we are all alike.
Two girls
Different ages
Different lifestyles
One living the high life, council, good grades, great school, awesome friends
The other struggling through school, losing friends and hurting those already close to her.
The princess and the pauper.
Both struggling to keep their heads above water,
clinging to their achievements, their friends, their God.
Both constantly questioning their existence.
Both fearful about what others say about themselves.
Both outwardly normal, card carrying Singaporeans
Silently screaming
Save
Our
Souls
Anyone?
Addendum:
I have this really bad habit of reading other people's blogs. It stems from my obsessive desire to read, anything anywhere anytime. It was during one of my exploratory trips into the underworld of the internet that I found this two girls, both so different and yet so alike. One from a N/A class in a neighbourhood secondary school, the other from the top class in a top Junior College. But both oh so fragile.
I sometimes wonder whether I enter this line of work more for my personal enjoyment and excitement or in order that I can perhaps help young people like them in whatever way I can.
Different ages
Different lifestyles
One living the high life, council, good grades, great school, awesome friends
The other struggling through school, losing friends and hurting those already close to her.
The princess and the pauper.
Both struggling to keep their heads above water,
clinging to their achievements, their friends, their God.
Both constantly questioning their existence.
Both fearful about what others say about themselves.
Both outwardly normal, card carrying Singaporeans
Silently screaming
Save
Our
Souls
Anyone?
Addendum:
I have this really bad habit of reading other people's blogs. It stems from my obsessive desire to read, anything anywhere anytime. It was during one of my exploratory trips into the underworld of the internet that I found this two girls, both so different and yet so alike. One from a N/A class in a neighbourhood secondary school, the other from the top class in a top Junior College. But both oh so fragile.
I sometimes wonder whether I enter this line of work more for my personal enjoyment and excitement or in order that I can perhaps help young people like them in whatever way I can.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Gee, it's the equator and I'm feeling colder then a well digger's ass in Siberia!
Blow wind blow~
Insane Insane weather, been blowing typhoons and hurricanes over at my place for the past few days. Good for sleeping and saves electricity as my fan is now jobless, but it's strange to be all wrapped up in a blanket while you try to fight the cold in a TROPICAL country.
Insane Insane weather, been blowing typhoons and hurricanes over at my place for the past few days. Good for sleeping and saves electricity as my fan is now jobless, but it's strange to be all wrapped up in a blanket while you try to fight the cold in a TROPICAL country.
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