The Mentally-Sound Mad Old Geezer

Is term break the only time I have to update this thing?

2010-06-27T23:03:00.002+08:00

It sure has been quite a wild ride while I was away. It was quite a mix of emotions, too, having so much happen at once. But I guess all these have made me stronger and wiser, opening my pair of eyes that were previously closed. The past semester was a test of my character and resolve. Had to take so many blows, and I had to take them like a man, and not say anything, as I knew that nothing I said would have changed anything. I did snap in the end, but I guess it was all the better that I did, as people started putting in some effort of their own. Some of this effort turned out to be misguided, but I have only myself to blame, as I could have, and should have, prevented the debacle that was my presentation.

At one point, I did question myself on whether it was worth me putting in so much effort when nobody seemed to care, and nobody even bothered to feel bad that I have been doing everything, as it was a given that I would do a good job without help from anyone. I asked myself what I was working so hard for. The thought of giving up did cross my mind. I very seriously considered that option.

This struggle within myself led me to realise that I had been wasting my effort all this while. I had been fully focused on doing well in school, and helping everyone around me do the same, that I did not realise that they had started to take it easy, as they knew that they could depend on me for school. Their priorities had started changing, and there was not much I could have done to straighten the ship, when I was in choppy waters myself.

I realised that giving away fish wasn't going to do any good, both to me and to everyone, as I would only burn myself out trying to get fish for everyone. So I shall throw them into the deep end of the pool myself, to make them learn to live on their own. They can only depend on me for so long, and there's not a lot of time left. I have to right the wrongs I have made before it's too late. I need to be the strictest I have ever been. I need to attack them before they get attacked by others, so that they can defend themselves when I'm no longer there to shield them. I only hope that I don't get too carried away, and end up losing some of the best friends I've ever had. They will probably hate the me that they see in school when our last term starts, but this will be for their own good.

Another thing I realised during my struggles with myself is that my feelings for you have faded. In fact, to put it in a very straightforward way, I don't love you anymore. Not really because I have found someone else, but because I didn't seem to mean much to you. You have your priorities, I have mine, and ours aren't the same.

I had been patient. I had been kind. I had been understanding. I had been everything I could have. But it only left me feeling like I was being stepped on.

I am over you now. The fact that I didn't feel anything when you talked to me that day says it all. I am still your friend, and it will stay that way. I won't change my mind anymore, even if you change yours someday.

In case anyone's wondering, my all-action display at work has nothing to do with this. I am professional enough to not let my feelings affect my work. I always give 120% when it comes to work, and it doesn't even matter if I get paid for my efforts. As long as I won't die doing whatever I do, I will throw everything I have into making sure that I do a good job. Working hard is the only way I know how to work, and I know that I'm far too strong to be dying on the job. What's more, whatever doesn't kill me makes me even stronger.

Although being simple-minded in approaching work sometimes means that I end up being used by people who think they can control me.

My advice: you don't know who you're messing with. And you will NOT want to know. Try me, and pay the price. You will not enjoy paying it.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-04-20T23:39:00.002+08:00

Damn. I was so right about this semester being possibly the toughest yet. 4 modules, 1 film, 2 news articles, 3 group projects (the film is one of them), 5 tests, ONLY 1 essay. Ok, I admit I'm rather confident about 3 of the 5 tests, the articles and the essay, maybe even too confident, but I can't help but feel afraid. This semester requires me to, in a way, lie. I mean, if something isn't real, then it's fake, right? So if I were to write something imaginary, it would be fake as well. Writing or saying something fakes is, then, the same as lying, right?

I categorise lying as an art, and I can't be any worse in art.

The pace hasn't really picked up yet, but I can already see myself slogging through the night, and it will only be partly because of my assignments. My new responsibilities will probably keep me awake through many a night. When I've already been having sleepless nights because I cannot seem to stop thinking and worrying (people and/or otherwise), I'm in for a tough one this time around. It's good for me, in a way, since I will have to learn to deal with such stress sooner or later. So might as well go through it now.

Don't my last 2 sentences feel rather familiar...

But before anyone notices it and starts thinking wildly, I did not get my heart broken. I dare not say everything's going well, as it remains as status quo, but I'll gladly have it stay this way until I'm ready to try again. I think I have fully recovered from that darkest period, as I can now talk about it and laugh. But a part of me is still afraid of being hurt again. I don't know if time will help. I don't even know if time is on my side. Everyone tells me to strike while the iron is hot, but I'm afraid it would burn my arm off. But if I end up missing the boat, the only thing that will happen is me drowning. I can't swim, remember?

Anyway, on a lighter note...

A lot of stupid things have been happening to me. Breaking vases, losing cards, driving to school because I was late, only to be caught in a traffic jam and get even more late, then paying parking fees that I count as robbery. All the talk about saving money, pretty much gone in one bloody day.

Seriously, I don't remember spending anything on myself at all, other than on food. But how come my money disappears so damn quickly? Have I been spending too much on stupid things (fines)? Have I been too selfless? This time, these questions aren't loaded, because I seriously don't have the slightest idea.

Not enjoying having my fingers turn a deep purple everyday in class, but that's about the only thing I hate about school. My hands are already cold enough on their own, and the aircon in school doesn't help. But as long as my fingers can move, it doesn't matter.

I always have a lot that I want to say. But I forget what I want to say before I actually say what I want to say. Like now. Sigh...

Oh, and I learned a new word that can be used to describe my life so far since the start of the month. ASTAGA!!!!

And oh, my results should be out pretty soon. I'm staring one bad grade in the face, but I think I should do fine for the other 2. I WANT to know how far I was able to bring my friends to. I'd be kicking myself, then asking my friends to kick me in the face, if my effort had been for nothing. I have rather high expectations of myself, both as a student and as a mentor. But instead of giving away fish, I think I shall start teaching fishing.

I hate having insomnia. I hate it even more when it's caused by migraine. People sleep when they have migraine. Mine's so bad it's keeping me awake.

Sigh...

Change the World

2010-03-31T00:46:00.002+08:00

I know it's been a while since I actually wrote about stuff that's been going on in my world. But who the hell reads this anyway?

But, anyway, now that I have loads of time and very little to do, it's time for me to bore the soul out of anyone who actually reads this damn thing.

All those whom I have spoken to, either physically or virtually, should already know about most of the stuff I am going to say, but I'll still write them all down.

The first real thing I did during this term break was to break my voice at KBox. Attempting so many forceful songs at once wasn't a very good idea. We went to KBox last week. I still don't have my voice fully back yet. Can barely manage 8 keys, and got ZERO falsetto. I guess this is pretty ok, given that I can barely even TALK.

And the lamest consequence of losing my voice?

I. CAN'T. LAUGH.

No. Seriously. I laugh, nothing comes out from my mouth.

And I've been the worst patient possible, eating all the stuff someone with a bad throat should never even THINK of getting anywhere near to.

I was supposed to complete a song cover request from a fellow YouTuber, make a few covers of my own, and compose a few originals, but cannot do so until I get back the only instrument I still remember how to use.

On the day I almost totally couldn't speak, I got myself a new phone. It's a Nokia E72, which I call the Nokia version of the Blackberry Bold 9700. It's got a full QWERTY keypad, and an optical trackpad, just like the new BB. Only that I got mine for A LOT cheaper, although that came as a surprise as well. I never knew that my old phone was worth $200 in trade-in value!

So now I am REALLY Always Online, anytime, anywhere! Cue 'Always Online' by Lin Jun Jie!

Hmm...that wasn't funny...

Well, anyway...

I've gone back to bowling, too. Played another league matchday last Thursday (thanks, everyone, for coming all the way to Mt Faber to support me, though I did ignore all of you!), then went for a 'qualifier' of sorts for another league. After so long out, I was surprised I could actually manage a 170 average across both days. Still far from good enough, of course, for someone aiming to break the 200 barrier. But, after hearing from everyone, 170 isn't bad, too!

Now to one of the signs that I'm going back to my old, stupid self: I accidentally submitted a BLANK disc for one of my assignments.

Which brings me to my new responsibility: I am set to take over as either chief or managing editor for the next school publication. This means that I will potentially have A LOT to do once school starts in, for me, about a week.

I've started playing Fifa Online 2 again, too. Damn, my aim for an unbeaten season was crushed in my first match of the season. I got my butt kicked by Atletico Madrid! But I beat Real in El Clasico after going 2 down, which more than makes up for it.

That's about everything I physically did the past week.

Having so much free time to do so little can only mean one thing: I've had a lot of time to think over a lot of things. How I should live my life, how I feel about things and people, that kind of thing. I've realised that centering my life around another has been rather misguided, however much I love whoever my life has been revolving around. I can no longer afford to do so, due to my new responsibilities and resultant increased workload. You are still very important to me, and will continue to be a huge part of my life, but I can no longer afford to live only for you. I will need to drag the axis of my life back nearer to myself, and I will need to live more for myself. But I will still be the same me that you know, I will still stand by the promises I have made to you, and I will not forsake my responsibilities to you, the same way I will not forsake those to everyone. The only thing that changes will be that I will be becoming a little busier than usual.

Time is going to be a luxury, now that there's so much to do. This time, I shall try my best to set things right.

The greatest test

2010-03-21T12:09:00.002+08:00

If he were not drunk, and we were not in a club, I would have decked him that very moment when I saw how awkward you were when he was doing all that. If I had totally lost it, he would still be lying somewhere right now.

I know I'm weak, especially physically. I try to stay calm and composed all the time, and think of the consequences of my actions. But when I get seriously angry, nobody can stop me, because I won't stop myself.

My rationality hadn't faced such a big test before, until yesterday. I was so close to losing it, but I don't know whether I should be glad or regret that I didn't.

I am so sorry. I did not protect you when I should have, leaving you to face so many touchy situations alone.

Sorry.

Time to Get Serious. Seriously.

2010-02-18T22:18:00.002+08:00

I guess I've been pretty much of a slacker since the start of the semester. I don't know why myself, but I hadn't got the motivation to push like last semester. A case of Second Semester Syndrome? Have I been complacent? Have I been taking things too easy? Have I let my personal stuff affect me? Have I been put off by the tasks at hand? Have I heaped too many responsibilities on myself? Have I busied myself with too much?

Wait. I just asked myself a ton of loaded questions. I know the answers to all of them. The answer is 'Yes' to all of the above.

But I've said before. No point crying over spilt milk, no point regretting what I did, or did not do. I don't know if I'm fully awake yet, but I do know that it is time, and time is running out. It's not too late, though. It's never too late, even though I should not have allowed the first 5 questions to be asked of myself in the first place. The last 2 cannot be reversed anymore, as I cannot, will not, and do not want to forsake any of my responsibilities, whether as a student, a writer, an editor, a mentor, and a bowler. If my responsibilities bring me to the point of destruction, so be it. I have a lot of time to rest once everything is over.

First, to get the easy stuff out of the way. And since writing and arguing are possibly the only things I can do a half-decent job of, here's my aim:

Finish writing and editing my articles for TQC, and Documentary and ITM essays by the middle of next week, if not by the end of the week.

Tall order?

Not if I'm taller than the order!

Seven Up

2010-02-14T22:04:00.003+08:00

Had been thinking a lot recently. Not that I had actually wanted to, but, as usual, I don't seem to able to forget something once it comes to mind. Strangely, though, I don't seem to be able to remember anything until I unwittingly do something to it. Like buy a pair of shoes, only to realise back at home that someone I know already has something similar. Then throw away my newly-bought sneaker balls before I even opened them. In both instances, it was happy, happy, happy, then 'shit!'.

A case of terrible short-term memory, incredible long-term memory? Answers on a postcard, please.

Oh yes, some of you have actually asked me 'what's with the postcards?'.

The answer: Nothing at all! I just found this way of posing questions interesting when I saw it in Top Gear.

Well, you can still send me postcards, but that would be a waste of money, in the age when nearly every form of communication, other than snail mail, is FREE.

Suddenly thought of composing a song. One of my reasons for doing so, I guess I don't need to spell it out here. But I've been dabbling with this sort of thing for a very long time already, so it really is nothing special.

Then I realised: The only instrument I have any idea how to use is broken.

I CAN'T SING ANYMORE.

Well, not for the time being, at least. I can't sing a complete song without breaking into a cough. It could create a comical effect, but it did not start out as anything funny in the slightest bit.

Because...I'm composing a LULLABY. Yes, the kind mothers sing to their kids to coax them to bed. Only that I'm not a mother, and I'm not trying to lull a kid to sleep.

This could well turn out to be the worst lullaby ever written!

I had also wanted to do a 'Valentine's Day Special' cover, which, if you look at my YouTube page, did not happen. Had wanted to sing Forever Love, but couldn't finish the whole song, however hard I tried with whatever means.

Slightly comforted that the stuff I've thrown onto YouTube has been somewhat well-received. IF the people that commented on them, or those who I invited (or stuffed in their face) to listen to them, were NOT lying just to please me, that is!

But I'm my own harshest critic.

Now I don't remember what else I was going to write about.

Oh, now I remember.

Happy Lunar New Year, and Happy Valentine's Day. It's about half an hour before the day in which both apply ends, so I guess I'm not too late.

This year, almost none of my relatives are in Singapore. So, yeah, it's been rather boring. But all this will change tomorrow. Can't wait already.

Come one, bloody cough! Let up! I want to, and need to, sing!

Ouch

2010-01-28T23:28:00.002+08:00

It pains me to see you so troubled. It pains me to see you upset. It pains me to see you suffer.It pains me even more when I don't know what I can do for you. Tell me what I can do to at least help you feel better. Just don't tell me to go away, because I cannot and will not. I want to be there for you, if that's the last or only thing I do.

Part of me keeps thinking: If I had been true to my feelings from the very beginning, would things have been different now? But I have to face up to the truth that my head resisted my heart back then. By the time I faced up to my feelings, I was too late. And the truth hurts so bad.

There is no longer any point in crying over spilt milk, and regretting missed chances. I made a mistake back then. Now, I have to face the consequences. I will stand by whatever decision you make, and I will always be where you can find me. Concentrate on doing what you have to do. I will do everything I can to help you in everything that I can be of help in.

I keep telling people not to worry about me. I keep telling you not to worry about me. Now I know how it feels to hear the words 'don't worry'. When you told me not to worry about you, I was even more worried, and I just can't stop thinking of you. But I am now even more driven to help you find back your smile. I will do everything I can. If I end up having to suffer, so be it.

You are more important to me than myself. Your happiness is everything to me. As long as you can be happy again, it doesn't matter what happens to me.

This is life. Deal with it

2010-01-18T00:52:00.002+08:00

I am facing the absolute darkest period in my life. A lot of seriously big things happened, and almost none of them were good. Saying that I am devastated is an understatement.

A lot of people have been worried about me. I am grateful that I have all of you. But please don't let me and my misery affect you in any way. These blows were dealt to me alone, so it is only right for me to have to face them on my own.

This pain pierces so deep inside I'm barely breathing. Never in my life have I felt this much pain. But there is no point wallowing in self-pity. I would have to face up to this one day, and I am grateful to have to actually deal with it so early in my life.

It may take a while to heal, and I may not be myself for a while, but for the sake of everyone who is dear to me, and has worried about me, I will get back on my feet. I still have dreams of my own to fulfil, I still want to help fulfil the dreams of those dear to me, and I still have responsibilities that I cannot forsake. I have to be strong, even if it's not purely for the sake of myself.

Give me a little bit of time. I will soon get back on my feet, and come back a better and stronger person than I ever was.

Life has to go on, however painful it is. I have fallen into a very deep abyss of pain, but I will climb out of it with all my might, dust myself down, and continue walking from where I fell.

Define

2010-01-15T00:28:00.002+08:00

People say that geniuses think so much they end up contradicting themselves most of the time. So if my words contradict my actions, my actions contradict my words, my heart contradicts my mind, and my mind contradicts my heart all the time, does that make me a genius?

But people also say that there is a fine line between genius and idiocy.

So if a genius contradicts oneself, won't a genius end up looking like an idiot instead, when one always seems to be kicking oneself in the face every time one says or does something?

So what does that make me?

A genius?

Or an idiot?

Answers on a postcard please.

Thank you.

Anyway, this is not the only reason I am writing here. Another reason is because

I AM SO HAPPY!!!

Here I am, staring at a few things, blushing and smiling to myself.

I love the number 7.

Don't get what I'm saying? Questions on a postcard, please.

=)

The New Commandments

2009-12-26T16:05:00.005+08:00

It's the time of the year when people talk about what they want to do, or improve on, for the coming year. People call them New Year Resolutions. But New Year Resolutions are meant not to be fulfilled, as people make them only to feel better about themselves, that at least they are thinking about improving themselves, and actively talk about them, even though most people don't ever think of actually doing anything to realise those resolutions, much less do anything about them.

So, instead of making resolutions, what I am going to make are RULES. These will be the things I want to get done in 2010, I am actually going to at least try doing them, and all of you who read this are my witnesses.

1. Lose my gut.

This is difficult already. Moving on...

2. Stop swearing. 'Damn' doesn't count.

3. Stop going gaga when cool cars appear before me.

4. Aim for Distinctions in every module, and help my classmates do as well as they can.

5. Break the 200 barrier across 4 games.

6. Get through the UCL group stage in Fifa Online 2 during school breaks. And defeat Roma while I'm at it.

7. Go through one season undefeated in Fifa Online 2.

8. Earn better rankings in the bowling competitions I will take part in.

And now, to the toughest one.

9. To become more confident, without becoming more arrogant and/or more evil.

Here's a new one:

10. To stop driving like a madman on crack.

And another one:

11. To cap my maximum level of enthusiasm to anything at 100%, instead of the usual, overboard 200%.

Get cracking?

Oh, come on, the year hasn't ended yet!

Finally bored enough to be doing this

2009-12-20T00:21:00.002+08:00

Sure has been a while, huh?

The last time I actually wrote anything here, I just finished my orientation. Now, more than 2 full months later, here I am, helping with the plans for the next one in January.

Had been up to my neck with work the whole past school term. Assignments, club matters, major school events, and all. Was hit with a little culture shock when I first returned to life as a student, as I couldn't have been any rustier. After 3 years of rarely using my arguing brain, suddenly having to argue at such a grand scale about things, some of which I haven't the slightest clue of, it took me some getting used to. I won't say I'm back at my best, though, as I know I can do better.

I'm doing everything I can to help both myself and everyone do as well as we can. Rather than be happy but envious that one has done well, might as well everyone be happy.

Being a Mass Communications student has somehow made me more cautious of what I write. This self-censorship is necessary, but it's killing my thoughts. Oh well, this is something I have to get used to.

A lot has happened during the school term. Some were somewhat shocking, some were outright crazy, but it has been incredibly fun overall. It was tiring, but I enjoyed everything thoroughly.

It's also left me staring blankly at my computer screen, waiting for someone to appear on MSN till downright unholy hours. I've been screaming to myself to stop thinking, but it hasn't yet worked the slightest bit. Doesn't work even when I close my eyes and try to fall asleep.

My heart's pounding as I'm writing this. Never in my 21 years alive have I felt this way before.

I think I'm going crazy.

Can't continue anymore.

If this looks like some sort of tactic to leave people hanging in the air, you are only half right. I'm not saying anymore, lest my heart stops.

All the fun in the world

2009-10-04T15:20:00.002+08:00

I'm currently in the middle of a slump, and I can't believe my luck. Or rather, the lack it. But I've had LOADS of fun during this somewhat 'down' period, and it more than makes up for everything.

This was supposed to be up right after the Singapore Grand Prix, but I haven't had time to slowly talk about everything. So it kinda snowballed, and here I am, forcing everything out of my 'database'.

If this were an assignment, I would have been so dead.

So, onto the Singapore Grand Prix.

For once, I was seriously glad that I had earplugs with me. Lost my army ones, so I ended up having to buy them. Anyway, MAN, those monsters were loud. And not just the F1 species. Even the tiny Formula BMWs, driven by kids not even old enough to have a driving license, were pretty scary. The Aston Martins made such great noise I could listen for hours. The Carreras weren't as loud, but were pretty menacing nonetheless.

But the highlight had to be the Formula One racers. If the Astons made our spine tingle, those F1 monsters shook the very ground we were standing on. And there I was, at the exit of the Singapore Sling, where they were accelerating onto Anderson Bridge straight. Even through the earplugs, I heard tons of stuff nobody can hear on television. The loud 'boom' with every gearchange, the tyres screeching under acceleration, and the very slight differences in the sounds from different engines it was totally out-of-this world.

The Ferraris(Toro Rosso included) made the most high-pitch noise of all, almost like 100 banshees screaming into your ear at once. The Benzes(McLaren, Brawn, Force India, etc) had the typical mechanical-sounding crackling, but at much higher frequency and intensity than the SL63 Black Safety Car. The Renaults(Red Bull included) made a less intimidating shriek than The Ferraris, but sounded much better than I thought, given their reputation for being boring. But I guess, like Citroen, and previously Peugeot, they unleash their inner beasts in the Motorsports scene.

And, like fighter jets, they sound so much different in the flesh.

I'm gonna sound like a sadist, but, exciting as it was, the Singapore Sling didn't turn out to be as eventful as I'd expected, as nobody did any overtaking, nor crash, there. Nothing happened there through all three days. Nothing but cars safely going in and out of the corners, and onto Anderson Bridge.

If the Marina area could be described to be a carnival, it must have been the most expensive one I've ever seen. I had wanted to get at least a cap as a momento, but even the cheapest ones were $40. And, contrary to most people's belief, I'm actually a pretty poor kid. I haven't money for pretty much everything, and all that I have goes into either the tank, or to the government, in the form ERP and/or fines.

I did take a lot of pictures during my three days, but I'm too embarrassed to upload anything, on Facebook or anywhere, as they're either blur, or, well, embarrassing.

And on to orientation week!

Short as each day was, it was pretty fun, though those of you who have been out with me would have heard of my slight grouses, which I hope will be gone when school starts proper tomorrow.

Went bowling on Wednesday, which becoming something of a routine for me. Then misfortune struck my rear bumper. Good thing fixing it didn't cost anything, and was done in 5 minutes.

Then came a day which I had been waiting for: Wee Ping's birthday party. Haven't laughed so hard in a very long while.

Went to school for my last day of orientation, after an unscheduled pitstop of sorts. One which I 'overstayed'. Ran into school just in time.

Have been pretty active on YouTube recently, and being an amateur singer is already tough enough. Now I've even more respect for professional singers, however bad they are, as recording actually takes lots of effort.

Recently did a duet with a fellow YouTube singer. Through cyberspace, of course. I've never seen this 'friend', and I probably never will. But it was loads of fun, nonetheless, and I really didn't expect it to turn out so well. And I could finally sing as the guy in a guy/girl duet, something I haven't done a lot before.

Tried to create a mini-studio in the Jurong house, which fails for now. There isn't a telephone line over there! I've set up everything, only to find out that I can't use the Internet. Which means I can't upload anything, unless I bring my recordings home. And I had meant it to be where I would be doing projects, or go into hiding when I need to be alone, be it studying or just to be emo.

In the ultimate worst-case scenario, I may have to get Mio for Jurong. Damn, that's another hole in the already-burning wallet.

Onwards to the first real day of school, then. Goodbye for now.

Happy Birthday, Wee Ping.

Yeah

2009-09-21T18:08:00.002+08:00

Man, this is long overdue. I had wanted to update this thing last, last Friday. But, as it turns out, I didn't, until, well, now. Can't say that a lot has happened in those 10 days, as there really isn't much one person can do on his own.

So what's the occasion, then, which made me want to blog on that fateful day.

Actually, I didn't really have anything worthy of writing about. Nothing, other than that

I.HAVE.MY.FREEDOM.BACK!!!

Was almost tempted to set fire to every single green thing that I have. But, since I'm still here, I didn't, of course.

Trying to empty up my room, as I want to do it up a bit. Cleared out all sorts of rubbish, old bowling balls/bags, scrap paper, even clothes. But just throwing my old clothes away would have been a huge waste, as I hadn't even worn some of them before. So I packed them into bags, and threw them to the Salvation Army. Whatever they do with them was no longer any of my business the moment those bags landed in the collection bins.

All those stuff that don't look like they should be thrown away are in that huge 'storeroom' in Jurong. I may well end up living there in the future, but I'll let the future come get me first.

Soon I'll be getting rid of this very table my desktop is sitting on, its occupants shipped out to Jurong.

These are exactly the times when it's actually a blessing to have a van as my transport. But most of the time, I would absolutely love to be in something 'fiercer'. Evos, the Rs, old Rexes, old Wankels, the like. Or something more handsome. Fortes, Cruzes, Sciroccos, Civics, the like. Or any Citroen, for that matter. But they will remain as dreams until I find a steady job. Or anyone in the family wants to change cars, and lets the know-more(ME) do the choosing.

Now let's get back to talking about the life I have lived.

My life is starting to become much more active, and it has been a pretty steep climb so far. It'll soon be steeper, and it may hit me before I even know it, but all the better for it. In a little more than a week I'll be jumping back into the life of a student, but before that I live out the dream of a petrolhead, and I already have started reliving the days when I was a more serious bowler. But with a slight difference in pretty much everything.

I am no longer bound by a uniform when I go back to school this time around(12 years is more than enough), and I'm going because I really want to, and I want to do well.

Last year, I was on duty when the whole world was listening to V8s scream around Marina Bay. This year, I will be right in the thick of the action, earplugs in hand.

I'm going to the Singapore Grand Prix on all 3 days, and nothing's gonna stop me. Not even if I sprain my ankle again. Not even if I have to limp all over the place. Not even if I have to walk home after that.

Found a few serious bowling partners, reminding me of the times when I was so crazy I was hitting the lanes whenever I could, or whenever I had enough in the wallet. Only that this time, instead of me being coached, I'm the one doing the talking, as I had a few good coaches when I was still a student. The pointers they gave me, I give to others, we improve together.

But I still am being schooled, as I've just started playing basketball with a bunch of crazy people. Nearly all of them can fly, and can get past me like I wasn't there. Damn, even the shortest guy there stays in the air longer than me!

Went to Super Import Nights on Saturday. Slightly disappointed, as there were barely any new stuff from last year. But I still snapped hundreds of pictures nonetheless.

Played a 9-pin tap event Sunday morning. And for once I saw the true power of my Tornado. On really dry lanes, it works like a charm. Even though the line I was playing was like walking on a tightrope, it never really failed me. Hit the pocket like a homing cherry bomb, even when I was playing gutter-to-gutter.

Most of the strikes that I hit were the real deal, even though hitting 9 would produce the same effect. Don't remember making more 9s than my 2 hands can count. Carded my 2 highest ever consistent averages without handicaps. Ok, I admit getting a 192 from a 9-pin tap isn't much of an honour, but it could easily have been in the high 170s if 9 remained as 9.

But sadly, I still want to get a new ball, as the Tornado won't be able to do the same anywhere else.

Then it was Carrot King's birthday party. Has it been, like, 2 months, since I last saw everyone? Duration no matter, it just felt great to see everyone again. All the pain of being alone suddenly didn't feel real to me anymore. And we have a new member in the gang, and I'm all the happier for it, as it almost feels like my daughter getting married.

But no, I'm not married, and, of course, I don't have a daughter. If I had a real daughter this age, then I would have become a father before I could even say anything in complete sentences, or count to 20.

To be honest, I haven't even been truly/madly/deeply in love before.

Wanted to play chauffeur, but ended up being sent home instead, as I think alcohol somehow found its way into my cup. Didn't feel very good for a while. Thanks, guys, for sending me all the way home, when it seriously should have been the other way around , inconveniencing all of you in the process.

And I guess I'm about done. Guess my next post will be about the Singapore Grand Prix.

Till then, then.

Very free, ain't I?

2009-09-03T23:16:00.002+08:00

Just realised I've been updating this thing pretty frequently. Like, every 2 days? Life SURE has been boring it seems.

Well, yes, it has been pretty boring. I keep thinking of stuff that I should do, then keep putting them off, some due to pure laziness, some are plain impossible.

The latest Top Gear is as close to automotive porn as it gets. Anyone of you reading this (though I seriously doubt there's anyone at all), if you're crazy about cars, be sure to borrow your baby's bib when you read it, before you salivate all over it and you can't read it again.

I, for one, already have.

No, I'm kidding.

Yes, I AM kidding.

I'm not one to mess up gifts from my dearest friends. I don't think I am one who will do such a thing, though my potty brain might have something to throw up from my potty mouth about this.

Which I'm trying my best to keep shut. Both the mouth AND the brain.

It's a little hard though, as it makes me type 'n' when I want to type 'b'. But I'll try my best.

Ok, I think I just failed spectacularly in trying to be funny while keeping a straight face. Or, at least, keeping the language straight.

All right, I don't know what I'm yapping about anymore.

Anyway...

Great, now where was I?

Oh, I haven't started. Oh well...

Got myself the more messed-up version of a keyboard skin for my laptop. Wanted to get the one custom-made for my model at first. There's one for virtually any model that isn't from Apple. But for some mysterious reason, which I can only explain as terrible luck, there were skins for all models OTHER THAN MY OWN. So I ended up with the cheap, universal one which falls off every time I touch the keyboard. Had to tape it down, and all this 'preservation' is making my laptop ugly.

Went bowling yesterday night, and found myself new partners-in-crime. And I was out bowling again earlier in the afternoon. Both days I went out with an aim to not touch the gutter at all, but I failed on both days. Both days I aimed for a 150 average. I did hit that average, but I was disgusted by how I hit my second one.

I'm not gonna talk about it. It's infuriating.

Lost my EPL undefeated streak in Fifa Online 2 to a sucker punch from Malouda at the 92nd minute. My aim was 38, I only managed 20. But revenge came sweet, as I just beat the virtual Liverpool in their real-life game. I came back from behind, and in somewhat typical Liverpool fashion, I scored the winner in the 93rd minute. Then I went on to destroy Man Utd 3-0 on their own turf.

Too bad this doesn't seem likely to be happening for real.

Done. Out of things to talk about. Till something more exciting happens, then.

Good things must come to an end, eh?

2009-09-01T01:49:00.002+08:00

Thoroughly enjoyed Mayday's concert. They said they will sing till midnight, they duly sang past it. Most of the audience was standing throughout the 3-odd hours, but I did the exact opposite. Not that I wasn't enjoying it, though, not a chance. I was stomping my feet to the beats so hard I think I messed up my ankle a bit again, sang so hard my throat hurt, waved my lightstick so hard my fingers went numb. There wasn't a single dull moment, not one second. Nobody wanted it to end!

Oh yes, I was laughing my fat arse off the seat when they were goofing around on stage.

But given my luck, it was only a matter of time before this wave of euphoria brought me smack into a wall. And of all walls, it brought me to the one with nails all over it.

Some mysteriously benevolent voice must have appeared in the minds of Almunia and Diaby. Something like 'Man Utd seems to be having a tough time. Let's give them a hand like we did to other teams last season', and duly made 2 preposterously stupid mistakes to lose to Man Utd.

It was so unbelievable that, for one moment, I thought they were paid to do that.

What a cruel way to end my week. And what a way to begin the next week.

Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying produced the most surprising starting grid on Saturday since Brawn took F1 by storm in Australia. And one of the most exciting finishes yet. Fisichella chased Raikkonen all the way, even in the pits, Button and Hamilton crashing out in the first lap, Alonso forced to retire for another tyre problem (the last one saw its front tyre fly off and nearly get banned from Valencia), and Barrichello finishing the last 5 laps with smoke pouring out from the car, which duly caught fire once it crossed the finish line.

The build-up to Singapore looks exciting already.

Downloaded Fifa Online 2 into my laptop. Had a few problems at first, but once I got it up and running, I saw for myself the power of a dedicated NVidia graphic card, as my players finally had a body on which I could see their jerseys, and the field wasn't big green dots.

As this game isn't exactly graphics-heavy (most online games aren't), this goes a long way to show how lousy my desktop is.

But this brings me to one small problem: I don't think I'm gonna play very often until I get my keyboard protector, as I don't intend to dirty it with my sweaty fingers. The keyboard on my laptop is WHITE and looks GREAT, which is exactly my reason for buying it. I had considered similar models, but this was the coolest among them all.

So I want my keyboard to STAY white.

It's shaping up to be a good week. But given my luck, or the lack of it, let's see how it ends up.

I'm trying my best to stay cheerful. Everyone should, too. Tomorrow will be great.

Oh, did I accidentally lift a part of a song?

Anyway, bye, for now.

5 stars

2009-08-29T04:30:00.000+08:00

Maybe being alone actually has some benefits. When I am alone, I don't have to think about the opinion of others, as there aren't any 'others' to speak of in the first place. I have the freedom to do whatever I want to whenever I please.

But ironically, all the things I had done alone did nothing but add to the loneliness I already feel, as what I did weren't exactly things one would do alone.

Like going to the movies alone.

Went to watch UP. Which I must say is another great movie from Pixar. Only they can combine such wonderful animation with such a moving story. Even someone as emotionless as me was on the verge of tears watching the beginning of the show, and it wasn't because my eyes were dry or anything.

Couldn't help but feel lonely, too, as I sort of happened to be watching a moving love story in a theatre that, for some pretty obvious reason, was full of couples. I seemed to be the only one who watched it alone.

Walking out of the cinema at the end of the show only added insult to injury, as lo and behold, almost every single person in the whole of Tampines Mall was NOT there alone.

Heck, I'll just go bowling. At least I can take it out on the pins by concentrating on hitting as many as possible.

Then, like a tight slap in the face, I was hit by what I was looking at.

Almost NONE of the open lanes had less than 2 names on the screen. And true enough, when I left at around 12.30am, I closed the ONLY lane that was occupied by just one person. 5 impossibly consistent games later. I even hit the same scores for my first 2 games.

Going to Ikea earlier was like stabbing myself with my own knife, then twisting it while still stuck to my body, then pouring a whole pack of salt all over it, as I seemed to be in a parallel universe. I dare to say that I was the ONLY person who was alone in the WHOLE of Ikea.

Going for Mayday's concert with my family later at night, then it's Arsenal-ManUtd. If anyone wants to watch it somewhere other than at home, do give me a call early, as I won't be driving unless I'm not going home straight after the concert.

Freedom, and the resultant boredom

2009-08-25T23:34:00.002+08:00

I effectively am a free man once again, though I may need to go back to help anytime, like tomorrow.

Seriously didn't do much the past week. Seriously, there isn't much one can do alone.

Ok, I did go bowling alone again, and surprise myself again, this time with my consistent scores.

Watched Arsenal destroy Pompey at home, and that was my weekend. At least I don't remember doing anything else, other than maybe getting thrashed by the AI Roma twice in Fifa Online 2.

Went to pay my school fees on Monday, then got myself my first new study companion: My new Lenovo Ideapad Y450. Read pretty good reviews about it all over the Internet, and it was EVERYWHERE. Seriously.

Got myself 2 huge plastic boxes from Carrefour, thoroughly embarrassing myself by carrying them all over Suntec looking for Kangoo.

Watched Liverpool-Villa Comedy Night. The whole 90 minutes were so funny! Villa defenders have something against Torres' new pretty black face, 3 outrageously stupid moves resulting in 3 Villa goals that would not have come anyhow else, almost everyone getting booked for shooting with their mouth instead of with their feet.

Went to collect my free gift for buying the laptop, which happened to be a 250GB hard disk. The laptop has 500GB, I bought a 320GB drive not long ago, and now I have another 250GB, which adds up to more than 1TB. It's gonna take me longer than my study term to be able to fill all that up. Not that I'm planning to, of course.

Read a good review for Leave This Town, and stumbled upon it while window-shopping. And that was $20 very well spent. I LOVE IT. Daughtry does one better this time, as, after listening through everything once, there is NOT A SINGLE song that I don't like. The last album I listened to that didn't have a single bad song was Meteora.

But please, don't rip it from me. This is an album very much worth collecting. Go get an original CD.

Registration for my Windows 7 upgrade is a pain in the butt, but I guess I'm about done.

An exciting weekend awaits. Mayday concert on Saturday, Arsenal-ManUtd on Sunday.

But I guess I'll catch a few movies alone in the meantime. At least if I do cry watching Up, nobody will see it.

I should be asleep

2009-08-18T02:22:00.000+08:00

Just came back from the airport, after embarrassing myself a little by turning up to fetch my brother and sister-in-law in effectively my pajamas. And it just so happened that a Japanese tour group arrived on the same flight.

Sent them to their house in Sengkang, then, just for fun, I tried to find the spookhouse of the area. A few of you should know what I'm talking about, and we even went to that place together. I failed, though. Couldn't remember which construction site it was, as there are too many over there right now. Exploring that sort of place alone takes some guts, which I, gladly and proudly, DON'T have.

Started playing Fifa Online 2 again, as life's gonna start to get just a little more boring very soon. I'm 2 more workdays to freedom. Tomorrow (later, actually) and Wednesday.

Wonder how I'm gonna survive working later, as I can't seem to get myself to fall asleep. I'm trying to tire my eyes out by writing as much rubbish as I possibly can, but it's not working.

Ok, nothing much actually happened in the few days that I didn't update. The only highlights were my miserable failure in finding a birthday present (took me 2 days), and that birthday itself. I don't even know if this person I'm gonna talk about actually reads this thing, as I can't be bothered to advertise about something this boring and painful to read.

Here goes.

I know it's already over, but Happy Birthday, Lam Lam. Even though I didn't write anything anywhere, so you may not actually know that they were from me, I guess you might have seen them already. Hope you like the present and card.

Not forgetting all of my friends who are August babies, of course. Happy Birthday to all of you.

For some reason I keep hitting the letter beside the one I actually intended. To find an excuse for my poor 'aiming', I must be starting to feel sleepy.

Good night.

About damn time, eh?

2009-08-12T00:16:00.002+08:00

It's less than 30 days to my ultimate freedom as I am writing this, and my neck's getting longer by the minute.

About time I updated, too. Well, at least there's a little to talk about.

Tried listening to my own singing. And I finally know how much the ears of the people around me have suffered all this while. I heard my own voice through my own speakers, and my first reaction was 'Man! I suck!'. I heard my pathetic vocal range and diction so painfully clearly.

Boy am I glad I didn't make it through the Don't Forget the Lyrics auditions. My voice would have been the laughing stock for the whole of Singapore! I most likely will have to, like, totally disfigure myself or something.

I was almost cheering when my face didn't appear for even a second in the prelude, right after NDP.

Almost got killed yesterday (or 2 days ago) by another P-plate van driver. It was a blue Doblo, plate number I don't remember, which was leaving Changi Airport just about when I dropped off my brother and sister-in-law for their trip to Tokyo. I remember it was slightly before 4am, and I hadn't slept a wink earlier, as I would have woken in no condition to drive.

This Doblo was going at 40km/h towards a slip road into PIE(Tuas). Small problem there, as we were approaching quite a sharp bend, The problem was that he cut into the left lane, where I was in at past 50km/h, when he was RIGHT BESIDE ME AND TRAVELING AT 40KM/H WITHOUT SIGNALING.

Had to step so hard on my dodgy brakes. I rarely use the horn, but I hit it so hard there. I rarely get angry, but I was pissed right away.

Ok, I'll take it as he didn't see me, just this once.

Then we hit the corners. He was still impossibly slow through that corner both myself and another bus got caught behind him. All right, I'm overtaking.

Then when I was right beside him again, he SWERVED RIGHT INTO ME, AGAIN WITHOUT SIGNALING, AND AGAIN AT 40KM/H when I was already WAY PAST THAT.

Man, how hard I kicked my brakes. How I punched the horn (My hand hurt). How I couldn't stop swearing.

He should count himself lucky that I didn't do anything to record down his plate number, as that would have been illegal. If I had remembered his plate number, he would probably be sitting in a police station somewhere right now for drink driving and dangerous driving. I would have made sure of that.

Well, at least nothing really happened to me and the Kangoo. But, P-plate blue Doblo driver, you'd better not let me see you do the same again. Not to me, not to anyone else.

Then I had to send my father to Harbourfront WITHOUT being able to see almost anything. Yes, ANYTHING. The rain was THAT heavy in the early morning. The furthest I could see was the next dotted line on the expressway, and impossibly blur lights everywhere else. I'm actually pleasantly surprised that nothing happened to me on both trips, especially when I had not slept at all.

Think my ankle's starting to run away from my body again. Doctor!

That's all for now.

Everyone seems to be incredibly busy right now.

I'll see ya when I see ya, so adios for now.

The three sacred letters. May I be blessed!

Leading an ulimately boring life

2009-07-25T21:27:00.002+08:00

Usually I have a lot of crap to talk about if I don't update this thing for a week. But today I'm having a loss for words. So little has happened to me that it's starting to get that little bit unbearable.

The only thing I can really talk about was how cursed I was.

I was going to play basketball on Sunday. When I left home, the weather was pleasantly cloudy. Not warm, not raining. But the exact moment I stepped into the court, it rained. So I went to find a covered court.

The nearest sheltered court was at Bedok. Which was out of bounds.

When the rain stopped, I went to the court near TJ. Where I played against an irritaing old man who just wouldn't shut up.

Reminds you of someone, eh?

Yup. Me.

After so long out, ankle injuries and all, I suddenly forgot how to play basketball. Couldn't shoot, couldn't dribble, couldn't anything. I did win a few rebounds, but it's nothing to be proud of when I could only win rebounds from a girl.

Somehow my ankle's not fully recovered yet. Must be the cumulative damage from 2 ankle sprains so close to each other. But that's not stopping me from playing basketball.

Also, now that I'm not going to the National Stadium, I can stay at home to watch the Hungarian Grand Prix. After this, it's 3 more stops to Singapore. I can't wait to collect my passes.

Oh yes, one more reason to rejoice. Today's my last ever duty until I get back my freedom.

The countdown finally begins...

I'm falling in love again with 蘇打綠's songs. Only they can write such beautiful songs. Go check out 交響夢.

All right, I'm done.

Till I see you again.

Fatigue? Tell me about it

2009-07-18T14:19:00.002+08:00

Haven't been updating this as frequently as I wanted to, as I've been up to my neck with work. Even my weekends weren't spared, as I will burn 4 of my 8 weekend days this month. 2 have past, I'm burning one now, will burn Saturday again next week.

Talking about burning, I fell sick the whole of last week. Even got chased home on Sunday, as I was running a fever that was going up every few hours. Ended up sleeping my whole day away, as I didn't have energy to do anything else. Only woke up in time for the German Grand Prix, and went back to sleep straight after.

And the best part?

I was on duty on Monday.

All kinds of luck seem to leave me when I'm sick. I ended up working OT every single day of the week, even while nursing a cough and frequent migraines.

So I effectively became the only NSF in my office who did not have a break the past week.

And here I am doing duty.

At least I can take heart that I may not need to even go to work from August onwards, but even that isn't guaranteed.

During this very little free time I've had, I've uploaded my first covers, the last one up just yesterday. Have a look if you want, and tell me what you think.

I thought they were pretty bad, though.

Going to try playing basketball while hardly being able to breathe, at the rate I'm coughing. Now that I have a real pair of basketball shoes (I bought them last night), I hope I won't be spraining my ankle anymore. Those Brooks are rubbish on the court.

It's been a pretty long while since we lat met up, isn't it? Let's meet up again when everyone's less busy.

See ya when I see ya.

Red

2009-07-06T23:47:00.002+08:00

Changi Exhibition Centre seemed to exist in a parallel universe to the whole of the remainder of Singapore on Saturday, as it seemed like the only place on this small island that did NOT rain. So I effectively spent longer than I ever did in my life standing under the sun that seemed to only turn up at Formula Drift, getting myself burnt. What's worse, as I was mere metres away from the sea, I felt less of the heat I was actually putting myself under. Did not realise how impossibly red I was until I went home early, as the practice sessions were starting to get boring, and looked into the mirror for the first time.

I swore at myself when I saw my own reflection.

What the fuck is that thing inside the mirror!?

I looked like the redness of the faces of Guan Yu and Zhong Qui combined, and more. Even my EYES were red. Then there were those weird-looking black spots on my face. Of course, they weren't supposed to be on my face, and definitely not part of my face, unless I was Monkey D. Luffy, or my skin was made of RUBBER. All of that which burned off from the tyres of the drift-racers while they were throwing themselves as sideways as scientifically possible and shredding tyres like they didn't have to pay for them.

And I THINK they didn't.

The heavens know whatever possessed me to hit town later in the evening, in, what else, RED. With a red cap, to boot. So I was effectively a walking and talking glowing red lantern limping all over town.

Just for the record, my ankle had NOT yet recovered from the last sprain, and I just spent 8 straight hours on foot right before that.

Was on the hunt for diecast model racecars, which I think will end with me going to a hotel.

The Meritus Mandarin, that is, before anyone starts to think of anything funny. There's a shop in there that seems to have just about everything I am looking for.

Sunday was the main event. And hell, did I enjoy every single second of it. Awesome stuff from start to finish. Too bad I couldn't get any shots on the tag battles, as I was too far away to be able to shoot anything without someone's hair covering half the picture.

Oh yes, the parallel dimension Changi Exhibition Centre was in somehow managed to synchromise with the rest of the island, as it was raining like it should be all ovver Singapore. Which was both a good and bad thing.

First, the good. No sun! If I were to get any more burnt I would probably have spontaneously combusted, or be lying in some hospital's burns centre. There weren't many parts of me left to turn red!

Now, the bad. Ok, so sun was good, but it wasn't very enjoyable being in the rain so near to the sea. It reminded me of my times in Taiwan, when I had to endure the lashing rain and crazy wind at Danshui the 2 times I was there. Wasn't as cold, of course, as it can never be that cold in Singapore, but it caused a temporary suspension of all races. Almost every car out there was skidding and spinning all over the place.

Now I'm an interesting sight. Every single person that recognises me is going 'man, what happened to you?' or 'what the hell did you do to get so burned?'

Because I'm so red I'm almost glowing. Think I'll go into hiding until I 'fade to black'.

Till then, then.

The season of pain?

2009-06-29T21:31:00.002+08:00

Sure seems like this ending of June has been nothing but pain and suffering for a few. Same goes for me, only that it wasn't just the end of the month for me. Pain has stayed with me the WHOLE MONTH. Just sprained my ankle AGAIN, my second in 3 weeks.

Seems like my ankle always gives way in the week that I'm going for events involving cars. First was Breakfast with Torque, now Formula Drift. What's next, Formula 1?

Gotta have to walk like a penguin again. Damn.

Having nothing to do is boring. Can't go anywhere in my current state. Gotta have to force my leg to work by Friday again. Not exactly the thing I should be doing, but I'm left with no choice. There's no way to get to Changi Exhibition Centre other than to drive.

There are so many things I want to do, but I'll have to shelve those plans for now. Shall think of a way of doing covers WITHOUT a microphone.

Till I see you again, then.

Want-to-do list

2009-06-28T02:02:00.002+08:00

Bored people do stupid and/or crazy things. So, during this period of time when I was practically alone all the time, I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do to pass time, and at least feel slightly happier.

So I did these:

Play basketball during the weekends. Though getting hurt AGAIN wasn't exactly very fun. Just when my ankle was just about to fully recover, I took an elbow in the ribcage. A PRETTY HARD ONE.

I screamed. No, seriously, no kidding. I screamed.

No, nothing's wrong with my bones. All of them are still intact. For one moment I thought I had broken a rib or something, but the doctor ensured me it's just a bruise that won't go away very soon.

This time, somehow adrenaline wasn't really helping. More painkillers for me, then.

Bought tickets to BOTH Formula Drift and Formula One. So, yes, I'm going to the Singapore Grand Prix.

And my ears will most likely be bleeding while I take a WALK home. That's the most feasible way to get home, avoiding the absolute chaos on the roads and in the trains. Or anyone could borrow me a bicycle?

On second thought, never mind. Don't think I'll be able to find the bike in the crowd when it's all over. I'd still end up walking, then get beaten to death by whoever borrowed me the bike.

Gave away my ticket for Liverpool-Singapore. I hadn't paid for it yet, so I effectively hadn't bought the ticket. And since I had not bought it, I could not have sold it. So, in this sense, I gave away my ticket.

Guess I'll just play chauffeur, then go bowling at Kallang Leisure Park then. And the best part is, bowling's cheaper.

A few YouTubers have inspired me to try something: Do a cover of some song that I like, record it, then throw it into YouTube.

I would LOVE to hear my own singing from a third-person perspective. Only then will I be able to be an unbiased critic of my own voice. Only then will I be able to really improve.

But there's a problem: How do I get started?

Any YouTubers who happen to upload your own singing among my readers? That is, assuming that I actually have any.

My fingers want to continue, but my eyes don't. Time for some shuteye, and most likely more basketball when I wake up. I think I'll be walking back and forth again this time.

Till I see you again.

Bai Kah

2009-06-14T18:59:00.002+08:00

After fatigue comes a world of pain and inconvenience. Let's welcome newly-crippled Foo Chuan Wei(known to his friends as AhBu)!

The root of this pain?

Read this.

I, in a slightly bonkers state, decided to WALK to Chai Chee to play basketball with Chern Xin. Wasn't really that far, actually, and this wasn't really much of a cause to my misery. But my insanity carried over into the day.

That seemed to be a day of pain, as one of the guys got scratched PRETTY badly. The biggest irony was that the person who scratched him (accidentally, of course), had short fingernails.

What a long wound it was.

Then it was my turn.

I went for a rebound, like I always do. As I am usually the tallest among the group I play with, I won it like I should. Then came the landing.

How did I land?

I landed with the inside of my right foot stepping on another guy's shoe, the outside of it on the floor.

Make a mental picture of it, and you will realise that my right ankle landed SIDEWAYS in a slightly unnatural manner.

I went down, but just for a while. An adrenaline rush later, and I wasn't feeling anything anymore.

Boy, what a feeling.

Precisely because I wasn't really feeling anything, I felt indestructible. I was doing things I never thought I would, and could, do on a basketball court. I dribbled and made layups (most didn't go in though). I even did a turn without losing the ball, something which I never thought I could do, which I may never do again.

Then came the less fun part. When the games ended.

By then, the adrenaline rush was slowly going away. And the pain kicked in.

Boy, what a dreadful feeling.

My insanity streak had not ended. I was WALKING home after basketball. From Chai Chee to Tampines, through Bedok Reservoir rd, the most viable and accessible route on foot. Also, one of the fastest.

But I was walking home with an ankle that was starting to hurt PRETTY badly, and 2 overworked feet.

I can tell you right now, that trip home WASN'T an enjoyable one. Not at all.

By the time I cleaned myself up and everything, I had to move around hopping on one leg. Whose feet have NOT recovered from all that abuse yet.

Slowly, I could place a little of my weight on the left side of my right foot. I could WALK, albeit with a pretty obvious limp.

The swelling should be gone in a week, and I should be walking perfectly fine by then.

Went to get some meds for my ankle when I got the hang of walking without hurting too much, then went to Tampines Mall to get tickets for the Formula Drift ProAm Series. At $16 a ticket for 2 days, I guess it was more worth the money than Formula 1. I may still go, if there are still tickets available after I consider.

So I will be at Changi Exhibition Centre on 4 and 5 July. If anyone wants to join me, it's $16 a ticket. And you'll have to buy it yourself, as I only bought one for myself.

Now I have another worry.

Will I be able to survive wearing boots the whole week in this condition?

Stay tuned to find out.

Fatigue: a friend?

2009-06-12T22:51:00.002+08:00

Another incredibly tiring is about to end for me, in about 10 hours. IF the asshole taking over my duty comes to work on time, that is. But I guess he'll have to, as he's doing duty with THE BOSS HIMSELF. Be a minute late, and he's as good as dead.

Let's just hope that my predictions do come true for once.

Anyway, let me go back to talking about the past week.

Having to do the work of 4 people does nothing but remind me of when I was still far away from my freedom. But, even now that I'm ever so close to this freedom I've spent most of my 'unfree' time waiting for, I'm thrown an even higher mountain of work, and for what seems to be for the longest period yet.

THAT, is just part of what's making me drag my feet.

I guess this has something to do with my previously impossibly decadent lifestyle that I've lost much of my energy. Bingeing and slacking has had its adverse effects on me, which shows up ever so cruelly on the track. 6 lane-eight laps at 2.4 pace (my pace is a FAILING pace, by the way), and I couldn't even walk a hundred metres before I collapsed. Took me a while before I could start walking again, then for another lap, before my batteries died again. The cycle continued once more, until I could barely even stand up. My walk home was a wobbly one. Kept losing balance and getting it back right before I hit the floor.

THAT, is also just a part of it. I only went to the track ONCE this whole week, so I have no reason to say this makes up a bigger part than it should be. The only part I can add to this was that I ran again this morning.

One of the bigger reasons is that I haven't been able to sleep. NO MATTER HOW EARLY I SLEPT. I'd been spending the best part of my supposed sleeping time tossing and turning, thoughts running all over the place. I'd always lie down feeling damn tired physically, but my brain doesn't seem to be able to shut down. Add this to the crazy weather recently, I'm lying down shutting my eyes, tossing and turning to find a comfortable position to fall asleep, but sweat and end up sticky in the process. The resultant dehydration makes me wake up to drink, then the cycle continues, eyes opening every 5 minutes.

I'm gonna have to force myself to sleep when I reach home tomorrow morning, to make myself regain as much energy as possible. Then I'll burn up all that energy and go back to sleep till anything happens, like my phone ringing or anything.

I may have to WALK home after basketball, but walking home isn't even close to being a problem for me.

Speaking about walking, I may well have to walk home tomorrow, then walk to work everyday the next week, if I am to stick to my belt-tightening plan. If not, I'll have to survive the whole of next week without a single cent to spend on anything.

Just the thought of this is making me tired. Time for some shuteye, though I don't know if I'm going to lose consciousness for even a second.

So I'll see ya when I see ya, then. Adieu, for now.

Shelves

2009-06-10T22:38:00.002+08:00

I guess my plan to do up the Kangoo will have to be postponed until further notice, as I don't know how long I won't get to drive, though I have absolutely nothing to do with it this time.

Heck, it's not even the Kangoo that's having a problem.

It's the Impreza that got hit in the rear. Heaven knows how long it will be before it's out on the road again.

So since I don't own the Kangoo, and I don't own anything other than the bowling bag, the cushions and the Ambi-pur inside it, my keychain lost half its weight and the Kangoo key previously attached to it to my brother, for who knows how long. I could get it back next week, or I may not drive at all for the remainder of the month.

So guys and girls, for the time being, it's public transport only.

Just when I thought my June could not get any worse.

I want to sign up for the AYG bowling challenge, but it's teams only. Anyone wants to join me? A team of 6 is needed.

But, come to think of it, as a Nebo member, I can bowl LOTS more for the $30 one has to pay for the Challenge. So it's still Ehub/SAFRA for me.

I think I won't be going to the PC show this weekend. Would rather save up that money and spend it clearing my debts and buying tickets for Formula Drift in July, I'd need half my pay to clear up my debts first, and I will be effectively surviving on, what, $30 a week?

So you're not gonna see me spend money on anything other than food (and tickets) this whole month. I won't even walk into any of the shops, if that's the only way I can curb my temptation to spend.

I need a job, man. A REAL one.

Bye, for now.

Overhaul

2009-06-09T00:37:00.002+08:00

It's the Great Singapore Sale again. But this year, I shall not be the wastrel I was in years past, and instead spend money re-doing my room and Kangoo. It's high time I tidied up my room.

The Kangoo needs some new stuff. I'm gonna need to get a tyre repair kit and a warning triangle, and some sort of box to store them in. Then I think I will get a mirror for the front passenger visor, maybe a pair of seat-belt cushions, maybe change the mats, so that the sofa and everything will NEVER move again.

Gonna need to go quite a bit of research and traveling during my free time. Once I'm done with all that, out everything goes..and time for the cleaning stuff I bought to come into good use. I'm thoroughly cleaning it up, both inside and outside. I HAVE to get rid of those watermarks all over the Kangoo at the very least.

When I have even more time(and money), I'll do up my room, also. Gonna replace my current white elephant of a study table, get a computer table, a big CD rack, a book rack/shelf, maybe a cap-stand. I think the only thing I'll keep is the closet my grandfather left me. Also gonna get rid of all the useless stuff in my room, like my cracked/molded bowling balls/bags, and LOADS of other crap, some of those I myself don't know how they ended up in my room.

Gonna maximise the space I actually have. My room's starting to look more like a second storeroom than a bedroom.

But for now, I'll just get some sleep first. It's been a pretty sleep-deprived couple of weeks for me.

Till I have anything else to talk about. Hopefully the next time I update I won't be talking about myself, and myself only. I guess it's getting pretty boring to keep reading about nothing but, me, myself and I. Even I'm getting a little sick of writing about myself all the time.

So I'll see ya when I see ya.

Updates, as usual

2009-06-07T22:39:00.002+08:00

The past week hasn't been very kind to me. Had to survive 3 duties in the same week, as both my 'underlings' weren't around. Had to go back to the time when I was doing everything on my own, and I can tell you it wasn't very fun.

They will be back this week, but when I'm not very sure myself.

Had to go for some stupid course on Friday, which left me the last person to reach home in my whole office.

Went for a run after work on Wednesday. It couldn't have been any other day, as I remembered I was on duty the previous day, which could only have been Tuesday, as I was on duty on Thursday also, but did not run on Friday.

I would say this week has been pretty physical for my 'nuah' standards, as I went for a run, went bowling and played basketball on days I were not on duty.

Stamina's pretty bad now. Could only last 6 laps on lane 8 at a reasonable pace without stopping. Once I crossed that line I started walking, but went down soon after. Had to force myself to stand up and walk before I ran another lap and collapsed again.

Could be that I didn't really sleep the day before, but I'm not gonna make any excuses. The last time I ran, I was still in Tekong.

Went bowling alone on Friday night, as I had seriously nothing to do. Spent nearly 2 hours waiting for a lane at E!Hub. Seriously didn't expect such a crowd. Was pretty surprised that the more I tried to crank my Tornado, the less it hooked. Guess what some of the Initial D guys said about releasing the gas pedal to go faster applies to bowling also.

Pretty inconsistent day, but I somehow managed to keep myself above the passing mark. Gotta have to keep it this way.

Went for a round of basketball on Saturday, which I fast becoming part of my weekend routine, barely after waking up. Ran myself to the ground again. Good thing I was driving, if not I don't think I would have made it back home.

Well, that's it. I've run out of stuff to talk about.

Till I find something else to write about.

Leash

2009-06-02T21:30:00.003+08:00

I know I shouldn't have let myself wait for the next day before I wrote down what I thought, as I've never been able to remember what I was thinking. But it always seems to be in the dead of the night, when I'm lying on my bed trying to fall asleep, that all these strange thoughts take over my mind.

Which always leaves me deeply frustrated. I oversleep, then wake up feeling like a zombie, then forget everything I was thinking about.

Ugh...

So anyway, here I am in the office, starting my countdown to freedom. Most of my friends are already done counting down to theirs, now free men leading free lives. Well not exactly free, since living costs money, but you get what I mean.

It's a hundred days to my freedom! And one day later, it's

Happy Birthday Shaun!

I'm gonna try to ask for half day tomorrow, as I'm pretty tired. I've been doing duties on alternate days for the second week running! But as both my 'underlings' aren't around, which is exactly the cause of my fatigue, it may not be so easy this time.

I should be relatively free after work tomorrow, so if anyone's meeting up do give me a ring. Though I doubt I would be hearing any ringing, after my 'evil twin' of sorts appeared in cyberspace and sparked a little bit of an outrage from parts of the gang.

My 'evil twin' was out there sharpening his 'swords'. But they say the pen is greater than the sword, so, yeah. Sharpening his 'pen' would sound pretty funny, right?

Ok, let me just say that he was out there swinging his pen around. And the ink he was using was the poison that flowed from his evil mind. He was testing whether he could still force a reaction out of others with his words. Most did not react, but, true enough, those who did EXPLODED.

My evil twin sat in front of the screen and smiled. A cold and evil snigger.

Heck, this guy's having fun! He had succeeded!

He had proven to himself that after 3 long years out of touch, he was still able to milk a reaction out of people who read his arguments.

Well, that's my evil twin for you. I'll try not to let him near a keyboard or any writing material as far as I consciously can from now onwards.

Like in many anime, the evil side is more powerful than the good side. But few have been able to tap into that vast power without losing themselves. I guess the same applies to real life, as the good and evil in people constantly battle within themselves.

I let evil win this time, but all it left me in the end was another regret I have to live with.

Time to leash up this monster, throw it into a cage, then throw countless numbers of seals on it, a la Kyuubi's seal.

Happy Birthday Shaun, and Happy 99 days to me.

Thought of the day

2009-06-01T01:02:00.003+08:00

Sometimes I kind of admire people who are strongly passionate in their support in something/one. The "step on my toes about this and I'll blow up in your face" kind of passion, cos I don't seem to be able to feel any.

But when this passion overflows, it turns into poison that consumes its host's entire being, which may cause one to do things people would usually regret without feeling the tiniest shred of it, as one is able to justify what one does with one's passion.

If passion would lead me down a path this horrible, then I would rather stay this way and don't feel anything.

Reason has been suppressing passion ever since Man was able to think in a rational manner. It is a profoundly difficult task, as passion is an emotion far stronger, and has the power to take over our ability to use reason. Reason draws its power from a strong, unwavering will, but this will itself can swing both sides.

Hey, I'm not Al Gore, man. Even though I read 'The Assault on Reason', that doesn't make me an expert in arguing about reason. So I'm stopping my argument before I myself don't understand what I'm talking about.

Arguing's tiring. I'm outta here.

Even the overflowing of passion is temporary. It'll stop in a while. For now, I'm getting some sleep. Whoever out there is exploding with passion, get some sleep too.

The birthday season

2009-05-31T23:21:00.002+08:00

Sure seems like lots of people that I know are born in April, May and June. Guess summer really is mating season, for both humans and animals. No wait, humans ARE animals. Just that we have more sophisticated brains.

Summer also seems to be the time during which my brain is at its most evil. Whenever I speak, especially in purely English, nothing good comes out. Hey, my brain needs to think up the words I say with my mouth, right?

Summer also makes people want to do a lot of things. I want to overhaul my room and the Kangoo(interior only), and, since I'm sweating all the time already, I might as well sweat even more.

Here's a slacker thinking about going running.

Adding this to what I previously said about summer making us more cranky, I can only have one conclusion:

Summer's a crazy season.

Been re-watching Avatar, the Last Airbender, and my opinion hasn't changed one bit. I still think it is one of the best Nickelodeon cartoons ever, if not the greatest.

Then I heard that some crazy fellas are gonna do a live action movie based on this cartoon.

My first thoughts: What the hell is wrong with them? Nickelodeon did such a great job, and they're gonna smash its reputation with this?

I don't know much yet, but few cartoon-turned-movies have made it seriously big, like Spiderman, Transformers and Death Note, just to name a few.

So if they really are making a movie out of it, they'd better make a damn good one.

Onwards to the past Saturday.

I was on duty on Friday. Was pretty lucky that the person taking over drives an OPC, and I got to leave early. Washed up, and I was on my way, on a recon trip to Lido.

Which turned out to be rather useless in the end.

Anyway, I was too early picking up the guys(plus one Wee Ping). But we had to wait for each other to get ready as a result, so there wasn't really a difference in the end.

Went to collect the tickets for Singapore-Liverpool first. I went on the wrong expressway, as I did not know we were making this trip. Not a huge problem in the end, as this is Singapore. There are no long detours.

But I'm still thinking of installing a GPS in the Kangoo. Or I could get a street directory that is more up-to-date.

Parked at Taka, then took a short walk around town, as we were slightly early. We were having dinner at The Rice Table.

And this is the first time I am giving a 5-star rating for a buffet. No pictures to show, but almost every single dish both looked and tasted good. The only slight imperfections are that the tofu omelette was a tad too oily, and the menu is filled with stuff with coconut milk, which makes for a VERY filling and heavy meal. Everyone was out of it by the second round. I barely touched my second serving of rice. Never in my life had I felt that having food down my throat was a more painful experience than the other way round. We were only in there for less than 2 hours. Amanda(Ngiam) arrived just as we were about done with the first round.

And this meal proves that I actually have a smaller appetite than girls. Well, at least my female friends. But I guess I shall not elaborate on this, and leave it to themselves to talk about it if they want to.

Watched Night at the Museum 2 after that, err, powerful, feast. Got my foot stepped on at the worst time possible for me: When I was having an in-grown big toenail. My word, it hurt. I went down almost immediately after Kai Xiang's foot landed on mine, and I tell you, it wasn't a light landing. HELL it wasn't.

I think there's something about cinemas that seem to numb my senses. I was barely smiling when everyone else seemed to be laughing so hard their jaws were gonna dislocate, and I only started to laugh when others were laughing themselves all over the place, bending over in their seats and all.

But I guess it deserves a 3.5 rating from me, judging by how hard the others were laughing.

I'm waiting for Ice Age 3. I think I'm more in tune with Pixar's sense of humour, as I was laughing pretty hard watching the trailer.

But for now, I'll stick to waiting for Transformers 2. Though this wait seems to be a futile one, as I don't ever seem to be able to catch blockbuster flicks in the cinemas. The last blockbuster I caught was Spiderman 2.

Ended up frustrating myself when we parted our ways. I knew I should have gone back to get my cashcard earlier to save myself from the trouble I went through at 12.30am. Had to search high and low to find a top-up station(there wasn't one) in the carpark. Had to go back up from B3, find a 7-11, then go back down to B3. With a toe that was still hurting. I had to walk fast to counter the pain, and boy, did I walk fast.

Ok, I'm pretty much done updating. I shall leave it to the girls to update their blogs, pictures and all. Theirs will make for a more interesting read, but I guess you'll have to stick with the bare and boring written information for now.

Till then.

The simple joys

2009-05-29T23:27:00.002+08:00

My week couldn't have gottten any worse. And true enough, it seems that things are starting to look up again, at least a little. Suddenly there's reason to celebrate, and there's not just one.

First, Barcelona won the Champions League. Or rather, ManUre lost the Champions League. I did not watch a minute of the match, so there's really nothing much I can do. The match reports said Barca played well and ManUre played badly at the same time, so I'll just leave it as that.

Which calls for a double celebration. Congrtualtions to Barca.

Serves you right, ManUre!

Second, the Kangoo is back to life, and does not die anymore. Not even with the air-con turned on high enough to mist its windows. I'm taking it for a longer test drive tomorrow after my duty. Need to figure out how to park in Lido.

Which brings me to the third cause for celebration.

Shaun's birthday. Too bad I'm on duty on the day itself, so I will only be able to celebrate with everyone tomorrow. I'll try to figure out the way around town as far as I can, so we spend less time LOST.

Which brings me to my fourth cause for celebration.

On the 3rd of June, I will be exactly 99 absolute days to my freedom. It's ironic, though, that I'm doing duty on the same day.

Now to the more painful parts: the reality.

The reality is: I'm broke.

By Saturday, I will have 3 debts to pay off. Together with my bills, I effectively have no savings at all. At least 3 quarts of my pay will be one before I even know it. Guess it's time for me to strangle myself with the belt people usually only tighten.

I'm no longer as much the free-spending madman as I used to be. Sad-ed.

ABU

2009-05-27T22:34:00.002+08:00

Here I am, stuck in the office, living out a life that couldn't have gotten any worse, after all that's happened to me. In a mathematical sense, I guess a lot of small things happening at the same time adds together to become a big thing.

Had this crazy dream that I almost didn't want to wake up from. I shall not go into the details, as one's honey could be another's poison.

I've been thinking about a lot of things lately. Maybe that's why my mind is currently blank, as some sort of defense mechanism to stop me from going crazy.

Sometimes I think I should bash my nose swollen, then spray-paint it red.

Maybe it's the weather that's making everyone, including myself, slightly cranky, and more irritable than usual. It always seems to be during the summer that people have the least control over themselves, tempers and all. I know there aren't supposed to be any real seasons in Singapore, and that it's hot all year round, but there is a time where the mercury peaks to make people even less comfortable than they already are. And that time is now. One reacts more strongly than usual when one is constantly irritated, in this case by the weather, and the sweaty, sticky feeling that results from it.

My, look at how far I've strayed from the main topic.

I guess it's a given that the ABU (Anything But United) population in Singapore far outnumbers that of the NBU (Nothing But United). So all you ManUre fans out there, I would adivse that you stay at home tonight, because I believe you will be in quite a bit of trouble. There will be more Barca fans out in the streets tonight than there ever was in this island, more than anyone of you ManUre fans can possibly imagine. They will be out in the streets celebrating the triumph of the humble and deserving, and mocking your arrogance, which was unfounded in the first place.

ManUre, YOU are going down. And the general population will be all the happier for it.

Of bombs and death

2009-05-25T23:37:00.002+08:00

Quite a lot has happened since my last update. So much that I don't remember when what happened. I'll try to recall as much as I can.

Shall not talk about my work days, as they are as mundane as anything can ever get. Going to the office to stone and help out a little here and there, then stone some more until it's time to go home.

Let me talk about the stuff I did on days which I was NOT at work.

Ok, I went to play badminton on 'A' Div tourney day. Which reminds me that my last badminton game at Tampines also happened to be a tourney day, but it was the 'B' Div the last time.

Was out on Thursday for supper. Went on yet another short joyride, which brought me to an accident site. The cab involved in the crash no longer had a head, the back of the van it hit was smashed, window glass all over the place.

Went to school on Friday to ask about my letter of offer, which I had not received after, like, half a year. I should be expecting it some time this week.

Went bowling with Kai Xiang after that. No one else was free, so it was just the 2 of us. I was pretty surprised at how consistent I was doing until my wrist gave way. Scores weren't something to be really proud of, but at least they were in the mid-150s. By the last game, I was only able to throw my spare ball.

The guy bowling on the lane beside us was one type of bowler that I don't like. The kind that bowl with money. Spanking new top-range balls(Morich, the first time I saw that thing for myself), top-range shoes (they're Etonics, and I don't see a lot of them in Singapore), removable thumb plug and all, being used by a FULL-ROLLER. If a full-roller can hook 20 boards with those stuff, I'd need the width of 2 lanes to find the pocket.

Went on a relatively short drive after having dinner at home, to fill up the tank and find my way around some places. I thought something big was going on on the other side of the expressway when I saw dozens of traffic police bikes and patrol cars. Then I saw what the big deal was all about.

They were escorting a Benz which was displaying the national flag.

Then I was involved in an incident of my own. When the Kangoo died on the outermost lane. Managed to restart it and get it back home in the end. Took me quite a bit of effort to get it moving again.

Then I was out, almost immediately after I reached home. I was meeting the gang for supper. At least Kangoo didn't die on me this time around.

Moving on to Saturday...

Had to be up very early in the morning, though I was up till pretty late. I was going for the auditions for Don't Forget The Lyrics (Mandarin).

WHICH I THINK I BOMBED.

Everyone was given a song list of 60 songs, of which we were to choose 5 that we were most familiar with. The actual song one would sing would only be known seconds before one actually sang.

Of those 60 songs, there were at least 15 of which I did not have any idea what it even sounded like, much less knew their lyrics. Of the remaining 45, I only knew bits and pieces of most of them. There were only less than 10 songs that I knew from the first letter to the last.

So it was effectively 5 whole hours spent waiting to sing for, like, 2 minutes, of which there was no music half the time. And those were the longest 2 minutes of my life. I think the judges could see me shaking, and I was so nervous I was effectively out of tune the whole time I was singing. If the way I normally sing during K sessions is 80% 'power', I barely used 20% in that room, with a huge camera and 6 pairs of unfamiliar eyes staring me in the face.

They told me to try not to close my eyes when singing, and, somehow or other, that was the first thing I did when I started singing.

Now I can only hope that I don't appear in its first episode, as we all know what that means: That I made a fool of myself on national TV, that I turn into a laughing-stock for the whole Chinese population in Singapore.

All right Mediacorp, I'm begging you. Save me from the embarrassment of a lifetime by not giving me a second of airtime. Thank you very much.

I'm not at all hopeful, but I shall just wait and see. The results won't be out until a month.

Hung around in town, then sent the gang home. Which was a mission I could not complete on that fateful day of self-inflicted horrible luck. The Kangoo died, and it would not start again. A tow truck had to be called in.

My father told me on Sunday afternoon that it was back to normal. But it died AGAIN. For the first time I did not want to drive to work on Monday. And, true enough, Kangoo is now in hospital, YET AGAIN. I don't know how long it's gonna take, but it doesn't look like it's coming back anytime soon. All I can do now is wait and hope.

I'm suspecting the problem with it is not just the battery, since it didn't work even AFTER a change of battery. Part of me is thinking it's time the Kangoo was laid to rest. For good. I think it's time to get something like a Touran Sport or the new C4 Grand Picasso.

Hey, I'm allowed to dream, right?

Home on Sunday night

2009-05-17T23:21:00.004+08:00

Sure feels good to be at home. Just that I have to be up early tomorrow to go back to work. Went to Queensway with the guys, and was seriously tempted to buy a pair of futsal shoes which, for some unexplainable reason, was going for an unbelievably low price. I did not, in the end. Recalling my free-falling bank balance was a thought powerful enough to stop me in my tracks.

Was limping the whole day, as I had twisted my ankle twice in a couple of seconds on Friday night, when I was looking for an ATM on foot. Feels somewhat weird that it only started acting up a full day later. Must be the adrenaline. Read somewhere that some guy had broken his ribs when he got hit by a car , but did not feel anything weird until a full day later, due to the adrenaline rush during the crash. Maybe mine was somewhat similar to this.

I should be walking perfectly fine in a few days. Maybe I would wake up tomorrow and feel good as new.

Lost my brown Ultraman, together with all the coins I had saved up previously, so that I could use them to get drinks from the vending machine. So let's welcome my BLUE Ultraman! I previously used it to store my HK$ coins. Those that I brought back from my holiday last year.

There should not be anything I need to do this week, but I'll have to go back to find out. Let's go sing on Thursday night. I'll take off on Friday. Can help to jog my memory to prepare for Don't Forget The Lyrics, too.

Just read that Harry Redknapp has imposed an alcohol ban on Spurs. Just the reminder for me to so something similar: As it seems that people around me swear more than they usually do when I start swearing, I shall impose a swearing ban on myself. I did the same last year, but unconsciously lifted in before I went to Tekong, so I shall do it again.

Oh, one more thing. I created my own 'how well do you know me' Facebook quiz, in a way that I think nobody in this world can score full marks for it on his/her first try without cheating. Anyone game to try to prove me wrong?

Done. I'm outta here.

Now I can update this thing everyday if I want to

2009-05-17T02:05:00.003+08:00

My time in Tekong has just ended. I don't dare to say I'm proud that I went all the way, since I wasn't even supposed to be there in the first place, and it was so unbelievably slack most of the time, but, yeah, it was fun.

I would say it was sort of like a holiday, an escape from the pressures of my usual life, though it did feel like crap to have to spend Sunday night on some island that is supposed to be far away from home, but is actually just on the other side of the sea.

It hurt especially bad when I had to go back horribly early on my nephew's birthday party. I almost cried. Seriously. I haven't seen my nephew for quite some time before that, and I had to be away from him already.

The next 2 days were pretty tough by my standards, and being under-appreciated wasn't a very good feeling, I must say. Hearing idiots talk shit about us pissed me off, but they were not worth wasting saliva and energy on.

The good news came later in the week. That the course would end on Friday, one full week earlier than it was supposed to. And on Friday itself, out of the blue, I was given an early book-out. Which put me on schedule for the one big event of the day.

Dennis' birthday. Also my nephew's rightful birthday, but it was celebrated already, and he wasn't at home, so, yeah.

Since I did not do anything for my own birthday (I was in TEKONG, remember?), I offered to split the bill with the birthday boy. Which, other than driving around and getting lost in town on the way to Cathay, was my only contribution of the day.

Watched Uninvited, which, if I were to rate it by its horror value alone, it would get a big fat zero. I seem not to have any luck with horror movies, as none of those that I have watched have actually been able to freak me out.

The walk from Cineleisure back to Cathay was a torture. At 3-bloody-am. My 22nd waking hour, during which I took IPPT and carried home every shit I brought to Tekong. I had to EXTEND my field pack and stuff my duffel back so full I could barely zip it up, to bring back my stuff.

Went bowling with the gang later in the afternoon. I reached home at, what, 4am? Was too smashed to remember the exact time. Did not get my butt kicked as badly as last week, even though I wasn't really at the top of my game. No line to the pocket, sparing was off until my last game. Must be my swearing. Brings me bad luck.

ManUre sealed the EPL title WITHOUT A SINGLE SHOT ON TARGET against Arsenal. Well, at least Arsenal fought to the very end, something I haven't seen in a while. Arshavin is fast becoming an Arsenal hero. I can't wait to see him play in the Champions league next season. Plus, his first full EPL season. It's high time ManUre and/or LiverPOOl changed places with Arsenal on the table.

On a more personal note, I will be going for the auditions for the Mandarin version of Don't Forget The Lyrics. Not because of the half a million grand prize, which I know I will never win, but to test myself. I have been listening to, and singing, Mandarin songs all my life(at least for as long as I can remember), so, yeah. No harm trying, anyway.

But there's a problem. I've got NO HAIR!

Another possible problem is that I'm barely walking right now, as I twisted my ankle twice on Friday.

All right, I don't think there's anymore to write.

Boy, I'm smashed.

Can it get any worse?

2009-05-10T02:12:00.002+08:00

What an unbelievably bad week it was.

First, I had to be in Tekong on my 21st birthday.

Second, I had to rush through cutting my own birthday cake last Sunday because I was running late to book in.

Third, for some reason unknown to us, every single one of us received a haircut on Monday.

Fourth, the haircut happened to be the first non-money present I have received for my 21st birthday.

Fifth, I had to pay for this goddamn haircut.

Sixth, they cut off ALL MY HAIR. And I MEAN all of it.

Seventh, we found out that we were actually NOT required to get that damned haircut, and that it was forced upon us by some idiot I shall not mention, as it would taint my blog.

Eighth, he wasn't even the highest-ranking person.

Nineth, the same fucker (sorry I got to swear to describe him) made us stand in the sun for 20 minutes for nothing.

Tenth, I have to book in right after my nephew cuts the cake for his first birthday, and Saturday has ended already.

Eleventh, my bowling shoes fell apart in the middle of a game.

Twelveth, I got my butt kicked even when I was playing pretty well for my own standards.

Thirteenth, Arsenal gave me a second birthday present: Getting dumped out of the Champions League by, of all teams, ManUre.

Fourteenth, I won't be able to watch Arsenal-Chelsea, as I will be in Tekong while it is being played.

Anyway...

I'm not as home right now, as I'm writing this. I'm at Aranda Resort, having just returned from a bowling trip at E!Hub.

I am SO going to sign up for the Nebo Card my next book-out. It's $2.50 a game at every Orchid Bowl alley on EVERY SINGLE DAY, regardless of weekends, public holidays whatsoever.

Other than at home, I'm gonna have to wear a cap everywhere I go.

The coming week is either going to be incredibly slack, painfully boring, or impossibly busy. I'll have to wait to find out.

All right, I'm getting seriously tired. I couldn't concentrate on my last game because I was too tired. I have already surprised myself for being able to write so much.

I'll see ya when I see ya, then.

Outta here.

The week that was

2009-05-03T13:08:00.002+08:00

Came back from a 3-day field camp on Thursday night.

Actually, I would say it was more of a donation drive than a field camp, as we were sitting around feeding mosquitoes and fertilising plants with our sweat most of the time.

I can no longer be laughed at for having never fired a single shot with his weapon, as I fired 60 times during this field camp. Blanks, but heck, what's important was that I shot.

I even threw a smoke grenade, as one of the few highlights of my field camp.

Now, back to the mainland.

Was going on another trip to nowhere, which ended up with me meeting Shaun for lunch, which somehow turned into dinner, then sending Kai Xiang to his stall, and trying out some new stuff on the menu(dinner, round 2), which turned out to be a hugely pleasant surprise.

Continued on my trip to nowhere, before going home to grab my bowling bag for an impromptu bowling trip to Kallang Leisure Park with Kai Xiang. Nobody else was free, so it was just the 2 of us.

Either the lanes were oily, or I was bowling much straighter than usual. But these turned out to be good things.

Played badminton on Saturday. Another impromptu session, as Shaun managed to find courts at Siglap CC. Got all 3 of my grips changed before heading over, since all 3 were rotting. Was pretty surprised by myself for being able to last 2 hours non-stop after such a draining week.

I will turn 21 in Tekong this coming Tuesday. Like I have said previously, I have no intention of celebrating it, as there is not meaning to it, other than that scale called 'age' jumping by yet another figure.

I believe, on hindsight, that I made the right choice to not celebrate, as everybody's busy with their own stuff, work, school, NS and all. I did not anticipate this when I made my decision, but I am glad I did not decide otherwise.

I only need one birthday present this time around, and that is for Arsenal to get into the Champions League Final. Go Gunners!

Well, at least I have something to look forward to the next time I book out. It's the party for my nephew's first birthday!

So guys and girls, I will NOT be free next weekend, as I will be at Aranda for that whole duration. You can come look for me if you want, but I'm not going anywhere, unless it's very near.

Missing Number

2009-05-03T13:05:00.002+08:00

As I expected, nobody tried the quiz in my previous post. But I'll spill the answer anyway.

The number is...

3.

I'm not in the mood to break up the whole damn thing right now, so find some clues from my next post.

Quiz of the Day

2009-05-02T02:47:00.002+08:00

Guess this number:

This is a single digit number.

It will appear very soon on something one usually would look at everyday.

You can obtain this number by adding up the digits of a 2-digit number.

Only two 2-digit numbers, of which none of the digits are zero, can add up to produce this number.

One of the 2-digit numbers is related to a meter by which a person is measured.

This number is the number of units away from this 2-digit number on this meter.

This number appears on the number plate of the Kangoo.

This number repeats itself in my handphone number.

This is the number I sleep on in Tekong.

My time of writing this is very near to this number.

Make a guess.

But I believe by the time anyone actually bothers and manages to figure this out, this number should have decreased in value already.

Make a guess anyway.

First things first

2009-04-24T17:55:00.002+08:00

LiverPOOl and Arsenal played out a 4-4 thriller early Wednesday morning (Singapore time).

Arsenal led 3 times.

2 of the 8 were scored in injury time.

Torres scored twice.

Benayoun scored twice.

Andrei Arshavin scored FOUR TIMES.

Where was I when all this unfolded?

Tekong.

FML.

Sucks

2009-04-19T02:17:00.002+08:00

Making correct predictions based on Murphy's Laws sucks.

Not having anything to do on a Saturday sucks.

Disappointment after anticipation sucks.

Getting hung midair sucks.

Getting lost sucks.

Losing sucks.

Life sucks.

FML.

2 weeks

2009-04-18T15:00:00.002+08:00

There really isn't much to talk about, really, since I've spent almost every minute of my life either at home or in Tekong. And all I do at home is watch anime, surf the net and read. Blogs, books, Top Gear, the like.

Life in Tekong has been so slack it is almost unbelievable. The only reasonably tough thing I did there was run. We spent more time in bunk than anywhere else, laughing ourselves silly and tidying up the place.

But being in Tekong had its disadvantages. I couldn't watch any of the soccer matches on Sundays, and in midweek. Which means I missed out on all the Champions League action. Stuff like Adebayor's first-leg bicycle kick against Villareal, Chelsea destroying Liverpool (a result I honestly hated, as I hate Chelsea more than I hate Liverpool), ManUre nearly losing to Porto, Arsenal's second-leg win, and Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (which must have been heartbreaking for Liverpool fans).

Now I'm going to miss Liverpool-Arsenal! Can someone PLEASE inform me of the result? Thanks in advance!

Talking about Arsenal-Pool, I almost forgot Arsenal-Chelsea is on later tonight. Which can only be a good thing for Pool, as they DO NOT PLAY ANY MATCH until Wednesday morning (Singapore time). 2 big-4 matches in 4 days, with almost the whole back four out, is a SHIT DEAL for Arsenal.

I can only hope for the best. Go Arsenal! Destroy Chelski and LiverPOOl!

I shall go on an aimless driving trip for now.

So I AM going back

2009-04-04T13:30:00.002+08:00

Let me first talk about the past week.

Was back on Monday afternoon, went out on Monday evening to get more stuff for decorations. Was out almost the whole day on Tuesday to continue the hunt, though we somehow ended up in Borders reading about Liverpool (the city) and Richard Hammond, before we went to Punggol Jetty to try to scare the stuffing out of ourselves. Nothing of any sort happened to me of course. Nothing of this sort happens to me.

Wednesday and Thursday were normal workdays, the only abnormal part being that both days ended early. Went out again on Thurday night, which I shall talk about in another paragraph.

First, a repeat of a similar scenario. Received a phone call, this time from Dennis:

Ngiam ask me to ask you if you can go pick her up.

They said something about finishing up our preparations for Friday, so I assumed I was picking up Ngiam to go to Alex's house to finish things up.

So, I went. And waited. And Waited. And WAited. And WAIted. And WAITed. And WAITEd. And WAITED. And fell asleep. And waited. Then the guys called me.

'Still waiting? OK, we come over wait with you. We were thinking of asking you to pick Ngiam up first, then come over and get us, then go to Old Airport rd for dinner.'

That's what I remember it as. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyway, they reached the Kangoo at 9.30pm.

The Kangoo went for a wash, and took its time to get to its destination. It reached its destination, and parked at the loading area under Amanda's (Ngiam's) block - which happened to be under a TREE - at 7.30pm.

Amanda's Grand Appearance: 10pm.

Gasp at how tortuously long I waited, laugh at my stupidity for washing the Kangoo right before stopping under a tree for 2-and-a-half hours, the reaction's yours.

Anyway, we were supposed to have DINNER.

Being seated right next to a parking area only strengthened the argument that the notion that 'Women suck in driving' is not merely a chauvinistic/misogynistic opinion from male drivers, but a proven fact. Had my dose of evil, dissing fun.

Went to Punggol to find places to scare the stuffing out of ourselves again, venturing into all those creepy, yet-to-be-developed areas. Nothing at all happened to me again, but Dennis and Amanda were totally freaked out, almost screaming at me to quickly get the hell outta there. They told me they saw and heard stuff that none of my 5 (maybe 6, I don't know) senses could pick up.

Sometimes I do wish I can be able to sense such stuff, if only to prove to myself that their existence is not merely a theory. Until I can prove it to myself that such things exist, I can only explain such phenomena in one way:

That when one forces the brain to think of something happening to oneself, the brain obliges its owner to make it a reality only to oneself.

That word-of-mouth and impressions are very powerful. Powerful enough to mess with one's mind enough to make something imaginary seem to become real. That this can only happen to separate individuals, unless multiple people imagine similar sensations.

Which sort of explains why some who say they felt something will aggressively defend their stand, while those who don't are never convinced by those who do.

Was on leave yesterday to go for Kai Xiang's birthday party. Drove the guys (and one Ngiam) around to pick up all the stuff we needed to collect. Then my phone rang while I was on the road towards Changi Village.

I was on handsfree, so I did not break any rule, regulation or whatever.

I had to go back to Tekong next Monday. What day was it when they called me?

Friday.

HUH!?

Anyway, everything proceeded as planned, just that we started a little later than usual. Do I still need to explain why?

All right, I shall. I was picking up Amanda first.

Need more explaining?

Guess I'll need to get used to this again.

I think I shall let the videos do the talking for the party itself. It would take me forever to describe everything in words, and it would take 2 forevers to finish reading everything if I described everything in words.

Wait for Amanda to upload hers. I shot 2, too. Will upload when I have the time.

All I shall say was that I managed to use another full tank of fuel in 2 days flat.

My day as a Duty Driver:

Pick up everyone, pick up everything, go to Aloha, drop everything, rest while helping to set up, go out to buy stuff, go back, play games, hang around, go out to buy stuff and fetch Wee Ping, go back, hang around, fetch Shaun, go back, hang around, walk around while doing my own vocal training (my way of training is to break it, and I wasn't going to embarrass myself by doing it in the living room, sleep inside the Kangoo, send Shaun and the girls home, go back, clean up a little, K.O.

I'm doing about 10km/l, which is reasonable fuel efficiency, but I'd been driving hundreds day in, day out. And I had not even gotten out of the east of Singapore.

I'm staring to think that the sofa I have as the back seats is too comfortable. Nobody wants to sit in front! It almost makes me feel like I'm driving a Rolls Royce instead of a cheap Kangoo. Not that I'm really complaining.

Filthy rich people, rich enough to get a Rolls, will get what I mean.

All right, this is getting PRETTY long.

I'll see ya when I see ya. Which, if not today or tomorrow, will be Good Friday. By then, my hair will be gone, and I will be in Tekong.

Life's GOOD

2009-03-30T15:57:00.001+08:00

I think quite a few of you would know by now that I got kicked out of Tekong on the first day of my recourse. Reached home, duffel bag and all, at 3, barely 6 hours after I left for Tekong, duffel bag and all. To think I sacrificed my sleep to finish packing my stuff to get ready, and I was actually pretty psyched about going back. I had even taken my time to say goodbye to all who were dear to me, though I did most of that without saying anything.

Now I'm back at Bedok, after a free day-and-a-half off, and given a job I never thought I would be doing, at least not until nearer to September: My boss specifically told me 'don't do anything. I want them to do your work. You only come in when they don't know what to do. Don't even guide them anymore.'

If that was an April Fool's joke, it would be one joke carried too far. Judging by his tone, he was serious. He usually is, when it's me he's talking to, because I don't joke around. Don't talk about anything other than work when I'm in the office.

I asked to apply leave for Friday, and was given the green light before I even finished stating my reasons.

Life sounds PRETTY GOOD. Long may it continue.

No, wait.

May it continue until September.

Now THAT'S more like it!

I shall see ya when I see ya, then.

Full updates when I have the time.

Perfection

2009-03-23T22:55:00.002+08:00

This blog's finally caught up with the present. Even though the only reason I'm even updating this thing right now is I can't fall asleep, and I've nothing to 'hypnotise' me.

Well anyway, let's get on with updating from where I stopped the last time. Which happened to be Sunday morning (2am, in fact).

ANYWAY...

Became Great House Mover for a day. I just finished watching GTO, which sort of explains my use of 'great'. Sometimes I wonder how come I can lift all those big stuff, yet can't support my own body weight. But that's something I shall leave for exploration another day. The day continues...

And I spent most of the day at home, as always on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Ran some errands for the family before getting ready to leave house for Pool-Villa. At 10pm, when the match was midnight.

Why?

OH, by the way, I now know how to go Punggol Jetty, thanks to getting lost in Punggol-Sengkang on the way back home. Which happened to be the very first time I drove in slippers. Don't ever want to do it again.

Anyway...

Why?

I was going to leave house early anyway, as the Kangoo was running out of gas. Gas, petrol, 95, whatever. Wanted to top it up, so that I could drive the whole week without worrying that it would die in the middle of an expressway, leaving me looking like the biggest fool in the planet. Now please spare me the comparisons of the word 'fool' and my surname.

Anyway...

I was going to leave house early, but not THAT early.

Why?

For some reason I can't be bothered to find out, much less try to explain, Lam messaged me while I was going through YouTube to keep myself entertained (and awake) till the match. The message read,

Ngiam ask me to ask you if you can go to Vivo to pick her up.

Huh? Wasn't like my phone was off or anything, but heck.

I went, anyway, after topping up, for the greater logistical and economical sense it made. No way would anyone be able to get to East Coast from Vivo in less than 20 minutes without burning an almighty hole in the wallet. Makes even more sense when the Kangoo's petrol is effectively FREE.

See I so nice.

*a sudden chilling wind blows past and freezes everything*

*ice cracks around my feet*

*falls into the hole and freezes*

ANYWAY...

I seriously shouldn't have left house so early, in anticipation that I would lose my way, as I didn't. So I waited, hazard lights and all, at a pickup-dropoff point, which happened to be ILLEGAL to park in. But that's not the point. I didn't get down, not even for a second. So I waited. And waited. Sang to whatever was playing on the radio, and waited. And waited. And...

Finally. We were on our way.

Did the classic 'don't ever do this until your L-plate becomes a P-plate' move, to pick up the rest of the gang. Which HAPPENED to be wearing the same thing. Stuck out like my thumb just got smashed by a sledgehammer wearing an Arsenal jersey (which, thank the heavens, no longer had any bloodstains on it). Take a peek at Amanda (Ngiam)'s blog, and you'll get what I mean.

Pool did Arsenal a pretty big favour by giving them a spanking of a lifetime, although Arsenal were able to determine their own fate BEFORE the match was even played.

What a GREAT EPL weekend it has turned out to be. ManUre and Chelski BOTH lost games they almost had in the bag, Arsenal won, and Villa lost.

I still hate Dirk Kuyt, by the way. The only moment he was remotely useful was when he scored with what looked like nothing but an almighty whack that SOMEHOW managed to get through 3 pairs of legs. Pool fans won't agree with me, that's for sure, and I can already see hate tags from a few.

But, other than that, he did not do anything to refute my argument that he is a Negative One player, as all he ever did with the ball was to backpass when he was in his own half, pass to whoever was nearest when in opposition territory, or dribble and lose the ball, sometimes without anyone even getting near him.

Gerrard scored 2 penalties. I guessed where he was aiming, and guessed right both times. But both keepers guessed wrong, so, yeah, hat-trick for Gerrard, from 2 penalties and a free kick. Though I have to admit the free-kick was good, and I never thought Gerrard would actually choose to place a free-kick, instead of his usual thunderbolt that he either scores and tears the net off, or skies and beats the living daylight out of some spectator.

It would take something of a disaster to lose to Fulham next week. I would laugh so hard I suffocate and die if that were really to happen.

It's only about one day, and it's getting outrageously long already. I shall just end it here to spare you the agony of reading anymore of this drivel.

Will see ya when I see ya. Which, if it's not this weekend, it will most likely be Good Friday.

Doing...Nothing!

2009-03-22T02:22:00.002+08:00

Please do not be surprised to see me here at this ungodly hour. Fell asleep in the evening when I had absolutely nothing to do, and whatever was on Discovery didn't entertain me enough to keep my eyes open. Now I can't go back to sleep.

Man, I don't know what I'm writing.

Well anyway, ManUre just lost. AGAIN. To FULHAM. TWO-DAMN-ZERO! Take that, ManUre!

Chelsea lost, too. Take that, Chelski!

Arsenal aren't doing so well. Almunia saved a penalty which wasn't thoroughly deserved, though. Hoping for a better second half.

So what did I do outside of work this week?

Erm...Nothing?

No wait, we went to try the Nasi Lemak at Boon Lay market. Yes, BOON LAY, even though all of us stay in the EAST.

If anyone of you reading this happens to NOT be Singaporean (though I believe none of those who even bother to read this fall into this category, but, might as well), Boon Lay is in the WEST side of Singapore.

Gonna help my brother move house tomorrow. If there's anything do give me a ring. I'll go over once I'm done.

Anyway, I now have a plan for my 21st birthday.

I shall celebrate by doing something against the 'tradition' of chalet, BBQ and all.

I shall celebrate by doing...

NOTHING!

Weird dream

2009-03-16T20:01:00.002+08:00

It wasn't even a dream I had last night. It was a dream I had on Saturday night, after watching the match with the gang. Actually had a few, but the last dream I had was the only one I remembered.

I only have bits and pieces of it in my mind now, but here goes.

People say there need no reason for one to dream about something, and dreams are supposed to be rather absurd. So here goes, for real.

I was supposed to be acting some drama, in which my role was to die from what I think was heatstroke in an absurd way. But hey, this is a dream. Anyway, my role was supposed to run away from a girl (no recollection of any sort of face, but I remember she was pretty) he was with when he felt like he was going to die from what I think was heatstroke (which, when the setting seemed to be a date in the middle of some park, is already absurd by itself), then collapse onto the chasing girl, then the girl was supposed to be crying while I lost consciousness in her arms. Only for it to happen FOR REAL.

That was a dream, anyway. I'm still alive. If not I wouldn't be writing this.

I was going through the scene according to the script, when I felt faint, for real. No symptoms, nothing whatsoever. When the girl aksed 'what's wrong?' I ran away, then vomited blood and collapsed, for real. The next scene was that said girl was holding me and crying like a baby while I lost consciousness in dreamworld.

I emphasize 'in dreamworld' as, while the me in dreamland was losing consciousness, the real me was gaining consciousness. I woke up before I died in my dream.

I'm no Sigmund Freud, so I shall not go into analysing it.

The only part of it that I can link to reality was that I had blood come out of my mouth. I DID bleed all over my pillow, and the blood DID come from my mouth.

Anyway, I'm piss bored right now. I'm writing this away from home, as I'm on duty.

I'm outta here.

The taste of blood 2, part 2

2009-03-15T22:06:00.005+08:00

Now to Saturday.

The doctor said 'your gums will bleed a lot later'. Little did I know that 'later' started the day AFTER.

Woke up to double the disgust. I had turned on my bed in 2 directions. So, voila, blood on both sides of my pillow. I slept with my head on my bolster for a while. So, voila, blood on my bolster.

Woke up to look into the mirror. Almost freaked myself out when I opened my mouth. It looked as though someone had just messed up my internal organs, and I had vomited bucketloads of blood. OK, that was ridiculously exaggerated, but you get what I mean. Had to change my pillowcase and bolster-case (whatever you call it), which turned out to rather pointless later on.

Everything that made its way out of my mouth was RED.

Spent the day looking for something to do, which brought me to one almost sacred place for bored Otakus: YouTube.

Stumbled onto a clip of a commemorative concert for the late 张雨生. A concert for a great (almost insane) singer, a legend, by another insane singer:杨培安. In which I saw something I almost couldn't believe: He couldn't hit the high notes. His voice cracked, in fact.

Conclusion: The only male who can sing songs by 张雨生 is longer alive. That person, is 张雨生 himself.

This is the stuff of legends.

Nobody in this age has been able to write anything as special, and as powerful. Not just the voice that is powerful. The whole song.

At least that is what I think. I, for one, can't sing his songs. Some of his songs are almost impossible to sing with my vocal range. Training to get anywhere near his vocal range will take A LOT of time and training, and it may still not be possible.

A true hallmark of a truly talented singer: 张雨生. Nobody has even come close yet.

Anyway, I managed to keep myself entertained until it was time for me to go to Amanda's house to watch ManUre-Liverpool.

Anyway, my mouth had NOT stopped bleeding yet.

Which turned out to be a almost totally uncharacteristic match for ManUre. They committed more defensive errors in that match alone than they had in half a season. Vidic was at fault for 2 of the 4 goals, Evra was for one, and the whole back 3 (Vidic got sent off in the end) were responsible for the 4th.

ManUre 1-4 Liverpool! This was turning out to be a GREAT evening!

Anyway, my mouth had NOT stopped bleeding yet.

Went for supper after the match. Or should I say after waiting for Amanda to get changed, talk on MSN, update Facebook status, talk on the phone, check CDC website for practical slots, after the match. Left behind what I think was a pretty gruesome sight: Loads of blood-soaked tissue papers in the her dustbin.

Had wanted to walk over to Macs at first, since we were only an underpass away. But it was raining. So I drove everyone over instead. I had parked on the 4th floor of the multi-storey carpark, as that was the first level with white lots. Had them wait downstairs while I went up to get the Kangoo.

Which turned out to be a stair-climb to remember, as I suddenly felt my stomach hurting, and it was NOT the call of nature. It was something I had never experienced before: Gastric pain. Oh man, did it hurt.

Anyway, my mouth had NOT stopped bleeding yet.

If I were able to drive one-handed I would have been clutching my stomach the whole time. Which I did, after parking.

And my mouth had NOT stopped bleeding yet.

Me biting into the Big Mac I ordered was another gruesome sight, especially when everyone was eating Double Cheeseburgers. My Big Mac looked strangely similar to the Double, as it was also red. Just that theirs were red with ketchup, mine was only red at the parts I bit into. Red, with BLOOD.

At least my gastric pain was pretty much gone after that. Sent everyone home, and that was pretty much it.

Oh, and to make the night truly great, Arsenal spanked Blackburn nice and proper, too!

But my mouth had STILL not stopped bleeding.

Onward to Sunday, then.

Woke up to another frightening sight. I had, like mentioned earlier, wasted my time changing my pillow case and all, as they turned red AGAIN. Not a lot on the bolster, but I effectively bled all over my second pillow case in 2 days. AND, in some unexplainable way, the blood from my mouth found its way onto my bedsheet ALSO. It was almost like my pillow wasn't there at all.

Then I did one of the things I may live to regret for huge parts of my life: I thought whatever was overflowing out of my mouth was saliva, and I, for some unexplainable reason, used my sleeve to wipe it off. Then I realised 2 things. Whatever overflowed out of my mouth was BLOOD, not saliva, and the sleeve belonged to the ARSENAL AWAY JERSEY, WHICH WAS MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT FROM THE GANG LAST YEAR, WHICH I FOR SOME UNEXPLAINABLE REASON WORE TO SLEEP.

What a hugely rude awakening it was. Rushed to the toilet, desperately trying to wash the blood off. Managed to get most of it off. The rest would depend on the washing machine.

Oh, and the blood somehow managed to get onto my leg, too. Just how much blood I lost during my 2 nights, I shall not even try to quantify, as that would be seriously disgusting.

Went to the IT Show, this time without beating a retreat, as I chose to park somewhere which would definitely have lots: Raffles City Shopping Mall (whatever its real name was). Walked over to Suntec from there. No prizes for guessing how packed it was.

Pretty happy with my 3 buys, though I've only started to use one. Happier still, that I was entertained by pretty cute staff at 2 of the 3 booths I bought stuff at. Even happier still, I got myself what I think were seriously good deals.

But I guess entertaining me was quite a bad deal for them, as they had to look at me, which meant they had to look at my mouth. Which, in all of sanity, was a supremely disgusting sight.

Bought myself a MicroSD card with reader, a Maxtor external hard drive, and a pair of Koss Portapro headphones, which I had been looking for all day. All that, for less than 200 bucks.

I LOVE my new headphones! Sound quality is unbelievably good for something relatively cheap, much better than anything I've owned so far, looks cool, and is pretty damn comfortable. No dents in my ears, for sure. Which actually happened when I left my Audio-Technicas on for too long. No pain, no discomfort whatsoever with the Koss. My most expensive pair yet, but the best by miles. 5 out of 5 from me.

This post is now officially too DAMN long. Time for me to end this thing. Gotta go to work later. Plus, I'm on duty.

Shall see ya when I see ya.

No more bloodied pillow, please!

The taste of blood 2

2009-03-15T02:14:00.001+08:00

Went for another cleaning, this time for the bottom row. Little did I expect it to hurt EVEN MORE. I would have screamed if I were able to, but it was my mouth that they were messing with.

Day 1 passed rather peacefully, in comparison with the last time. I could talk, could eat, could everything, just that it hurt for me to bite hard stuff.

Let me go into Day 1 in greater detail.

Day 1 was supposed to be Thursday, but they rescheduled me at the last minute. So, with that, Day One became Friday.

So I guess I shall talk about Day Zero first instead. Thursday it was.

Met up with the guys for dinner at Geylang. I know it sounds terribly wrong to be saying we go there every week, but, yeah, we have been going there every week. For dim sum, tau huay, Hainanese curry rice, the like. Went home rather early, considering hat I had taken leave the next day.

And once again, anyway, I HATE drving in Geylang.

But going back early proved to be a rather good thing in the end. Now to Day One.

Met up with the guys for breakfast. Got myself a pretty rude awakening, as my nephew was wailing away, refusing to drink his milk. Wanted to go to the IT Show after that, but made my retreat when I couldn't find any sort of parking space at Suntec. Went home to stone in front of the comp before going down to NDC for my treatment. Which left me with a bloodied mouth. And a few holes between my teeth, because they are now so clean absolutely nothing is stuck there.

Oh yes, Day One happened to be Friday the 13th. Guess that could explain part of the events that happened in the remainder of the day.

Almost got lost on my way back, as I somehow managed to forget to plan my route back. I was going prawning with the gang after my dental, so it was decided that I pick up Amanda first, since she was the nearest from SGH.

Wanted to park at the multi-storey carpark to wait, but thought otherwise. My last experience with that carpark wasn't exactly a fun one (go through my archives to find out), and it was Friday the 13th. There was no way I could afford to have the Kangoo break down in the carpark AGAIN. So I made my way to the loadin/unloading area to wait, where I saw Amanda's mother.

She told me Amanda was upstairs, sleeping. Why, was I not surprised.

Went on to get the others, albeit after some time sitting in the Kangoo with the window open and engine off, waiting.

Don't I always do that.

Anyway, we reached Pasir Ris wihout much of a problem. Did NOT get lost this time. I guess the 'recce' mission of sorts a while back sort of paid off.

Here comes the part where the effects of Friday the 13th kicked in: The part where we started prawning.

Pretty wacky stuff it turned out to be for 7 noobs. Let me put it in numbers.

Duration: 2 hours.
Caught: 2.
Hooked, but ran away: Countless minus 2. One even managed to bounce off the floor twice, then jump BACK into the pond.

Shaun even dropped the prawn 'basket' into the water!

My hands were the ones that got all dirty and smelly, as I was chopping up the cockles to be used as bait.

Disgusting stuff. Honest.

We were outta there! Went to E!Hub to find a toilet, and check out movies we would want to watch. Alas, the earliest movie they had was 1.25am. We were looking at the screens JUST PAST MIDNIGHT. Went to Changi Village for supper in the end, before sending everyone home.

Let me stop here for now. Gotta wake up early to go to the IT Show. Lots to check out, and I can't afford to waste time and money turning around in the carpark again.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

Decisions, decisions

2009-03-06T23:26:00.002+08:00

I'm going to the Career & Education fair at Suntec tomorrow, to try to make up my mind on how I would go about pursuing my future. Anyone who reads this and wants to join me, please do leave me a message.

Anyway, I'm not at home as I'm writing this.

Seems like more people in the gang are interested in driving, and have even signed up for driving lessons. As of now, we have 4 legal drivers, of them only one (me) gets to drive around almost all the time. But the Kangoo can only sit so many people. I'm waiting for the day this problem disappears, when ANOTHER car joins the 'fleet' of sorts. Preferably a SEVEN-SEATER, if you catch my drift. Then everyone can sit very comfortably, and with 12 seats, there's space for more people.

Imagine a fleet full of P-plates. Intersting sight, eh? Though some will drop the 'badge' sooner than others (not mine yet, of course, I'm only in my 3rd month!), we shall enjoy it while it lasts.

To quote Optimus Prime,

We are here. We are waiting.

Adios. Will see ya when I see ya.

I hope the makers of the Ocean's series don't come after me for this!

The taste of blood

2009-03-02T05:18:00.002+08:00

Anybody ever wondered how your own blood tastes like? I now know the answer to that question, and I can tell you, it's better not to know.

So how on earth did I find out how my own blood tastes like?

It all goes back to Thursday...

Went to work, just like any other day. Left work late, just like any other day. But that day, leaving late was leaving at 4pm. I had to go to SGH to get my teeth fixed. I had to drive almost blindly, on the expressway right in the middle of a downpour. Somehow managed to arrive safely on time, so all that was left for me to do was wait.

OK. My turn. I was going for a wash. Which turned out to be one HELL of a wash. You know dentists always give you water to rinse your mouth after his treatment? The water I used went into my mouth transparent, and came out nearly TOTALLY RED. You know they always wear a bib around you during treatment. There were some curiously red and pink stuff all over it. Which, I deduced to be blood, and part of my gums, which was supposed to stay INSIDE my mouth.

When I went to the toilet after that to take a closer look, I saw almost nothing but redness. It hurt so much I didn't want to talk for a while. My gums didn't stop bleeding for a while, too. Felt so much like a vampire, blood all over my mouth, even spilling onto my pillow.

Took leave on Friday, in anticipation of an inability to talk properly. Went to play badminton, sent my mother and neighbours to Costa Sands Pasir Ris, and left straightaway to pick up the guys to go bowling. Used the rear view mirror to take a look at the inside of my mouth at a red light. Yuck. Didn't want to look into it anymore.

For the first time in my bowling life I had a culture shock when I saw the console. We DID NOT know how to use it. But we did manage to get started in the end. Just kept overhooking, as usual. Had to play a straight ball line just to get it into the 1-3.

Left to send my mother home after that, before going back to E!Hub to pick them up again. Lam had left already, but Dennis and Ngiam (who was SUPPOSED to join us for bowling) took over.

Then Shaun was like 'hey there's this car inside that's called something Spider. What is it?'

With such a vague description, I did not have a clue. So I went into the carpark to take a look, in anticipation of something like a Lambo or Ferrari.

Lo and Behold, it was a Toyota MR-S. Damn, what a waste of my time.

I'm not saying it isn't a good car, though. Just that I was expecting something more exotic than that.

Sent Shaun home, and ended up sitting around at the 'playground' outside his block.

If there was anything we did before that, please remind me, as I seriously don't remember if we did anything in between.

Sat there and scared the shit out of each other with all the spook stories we had.

My gums had, somewhat miraculously, stopped bleeding by then.

Onward to Saturday!

Went out for another fix of the Seletar Buffalo Wings. IN THE RAIN. Man, as if it wasn't hard enough to find already! Had to drive blind again. There weren't a lot of street lamps along the way. Went to East Coast to play Taboo in the Kangoo back seat. ALL FIVE OF US. Went on to get supper at Geylang.

If you happened to read my posts for the past few weeks, you would have realised that we have been going to East Coast and Geylang EVERY WEEK.

Onward to Sunday! I'm running out of time!

Spent the whole day watching Japanese drama. Finished Code Blue, now watching Galileo. Good show, Code Blue. I salute all the composers for the music for Jap medical shows.

Was going to play basketball in the afternoon, but it wouldn't stop raining. Went for supper instead. Went to Changi Village to try their Nasi Lemak. Nothing really special from the stall we ordered from. Oh yes, Amanda (Ngiam) was SUPPOSED to join us also. Apparently she was too wasted, and too far away.

But we ended walking over to somewhere close, though, as we explored the boardwalk again.

Read Dennis' blog to find out about the 'encounter' we had.

I think I now know how to drive the Kangoo. Faster. But by doing so, I watch in pain as the fuel meter falls faster than jumping down from 10 storeys. I've already used up for than half a tank in 3 days. And at $50 a tank. I watch in pain as my bank balance slowly disappears.

Ok. Done. Time for work.

Eating up my windfalls

2009-02-22T22:10:00.002+08:00

My memory's slowly, but surely, starting to fail me. I actually had to spend some time to recall what I did the past weekend.

Now, to copy Soccernet's column a little...

The Weekend That Was:

Friday, 20 Feb:

Almost had to do a duty that SERIOUSLY came out of nowhere. Got out of that situation with relative ease, and practically spent the whole day waiting to go home, as I was meeting the gang after work. Got to leave earlier than expected.

Picked up the guys before going over to Astons Katong. Katong turned out to be a bitch of a place to park in. Spent nearly half an hour trying to find an empty slot, which saw us lapping the same area twice before deciding to park at the most expensive carpark there was: Katong Mall. At least it was just opposite Astons.

Went to MindCafe Boat Quay after dinner. Almost got lost again. Parked at Funan, which happened to be the nearest big carpark. The decision almost backfired later in the evening. Why, I shall write about that later.

Played Taboo, and, like in all board games, I sucked. Stopped playing after spilling a drink onto the table. Played a new game (That's Life, or something like that), I sucked. Spilled a drink onto the guy demonstrating the game to us. Spilled another drink in the middle of the game. Went on to play Truth or Dare Jenga, and had to do the most embarrassing dare there was. What it was, I shall not talk about it. Played, I think, Big Taboo (whatever it's called I don't remember) until it was time for us to leave. With a pretty big hole in the pocket.

Now, about Funan. We left MindCafe close to midnight. Slowly walked back to get the Kangoo, only to have a 'Carpark Closed' straing us in the face. OK, it should not actually be closed, so let's go take a look, we all thought. The next thing to stare us in the face was the shutter for the entrance of the carpark, which was ALL THE WAY DOWN. Ok, there should be a way to get in. Let's try the front entrance. Now we were staring at a sign that said 'door closes at 11pm'. Ok, there should be other doors we could go in with. More 'door closes at 11pm' signs. Damn, there must be a way to get in. We CANNOT have our car locked into a shopping centre the WHOLE NIGHT. Let's walk around the block to find some sort of entrance.

The carpark exit was open. NOW we could get in to get out. Like, finally.

Sent Shaun back first, as he was tired. The remaining 5 of us went to Changi Village to explore the Board Walk (whatever it's actually called I don't know) for 'future dating uses'. Sat on some bench at what I think was the mid-point of the trail for our classic past-time: Chit-chat. Huge parts of the trail are pretty dark and secluded. Spooky, I would even say, at some points. Did not see anything that would justify the 'spooky' part, though.

Went to Simpang for supper, and to talk about random stuff. Reached home at, like, 4.30am. After showering and everything, I could only sleep at 5.30am. Did not wake up until pretty late in the afternoon. Can't remember the time, but that was of no significance whatsoever.

Went to play basketball. With a bad back, and a sore shoulder and wrist from using too much force during bowling. Almost died playing a full court match. Spent most of the time abusing my size, until someone BIGGER came along. Now I was scared. I was jumping rebounds with a TANK that could HANG. What a workout it turned out to be.

Went home to freshen up a little before leaving house again, this time for dinner with the gang. Went to Geylang for dessert, before heading down to Cheng Wee's house.

Committed one of the mortal sins I actually swore off some time back, but walked out of it unscathed, and with a slight windfall to boot. Ate it up immediately, like I always do when I get the occassional windfall. The last time I had a windfall, I treated the gang to Bakerzin just to get rid of it. It's in my archives. Read it if you want.

That capped another awfully late night. Oh crap, I had to wake up early the next morning.

Went for dim sum with my family (my father let me drive). Went home to leave again almost immediately, to meet up with Shaun and Dennis. Shaun wanted to go to Creative Marina Square to find earphones, only to find it under renovation. Just our luck with closed shops.

Went down to Vivo in a last-ditch effort. Was lucky enough to drive straight into an empty lot when the carpark was supposed to be full. Bumped into AhLam and Michelle just outside Secret Recipe.

This would have some effect later in the day.

Got our stuff, and we were outta there. Sent Shaun home first. Were supposed to meet Lam after that, but got indirectly pangsehed in the end, which saw us all go home. Even my family was surprised I was back home early when I drove out.

And here I am, listening to and learning some new songs, which is leaving me with a slightly oveused throat.

Duty tomorrow. Never mind, we could always meet up on Tuesday after work.

I'm outta here. Getting a little tired.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

I swear never to end my post with what office people use to end phone conversations: Ok thanks, bye (kthxbai, in short).

NEVER.

Random. Bored.

2009-02-18T23:20:00.002+08:00

Off day. Piss boring day, it turned out to be. Did nothing the whole day, other than go bowling myself. Ok, I did more than that, but the only other meaningful thing I did the past whole day was to fix up my the armchair I bought from Ikea. Loving it.

Well anyway...

On the looks of things, tomorrow's gonna be very much the same, except I won't be going bowling, and I'm already sitting on my armchair. Plus I won't get to drive until after 4. Which, effectively, means I won't be driving on my second off day. If I'm actually going anywhere, that is.

Could it get any worse than this? Surprise me.

Going for a medical in the early afternoon. Just in time, my back was starting to hurt real bad again. Call me, if anything. ANYTHING, as long as I don't need to be alone.

On a side note...

I want to sing. Even though I can only sing at 70%. A little case of overuse at the moment, my throat. But I do have quite a few songs I want to try to sing into a mic.

On an even further side note...

I want to sing. With a girl. 2 guys singing guy-girl duets? We should seriously do less of such gay stuff. We're not getting any younger, too! Plus, singing the girl parts is more strenuous for guys than, say, running. That is, even if the guy has a 2-octave vocal range. Not to mention mere mortals. And even less well-off people like me, who happen to have a 5-key range at speech level.

On an EVEN further side note...

I'm going to MayDay's concert. 29 August. Almost like an early ORD celebration. Talking about concerts, there are quite a few coming up, and I'm still undecided whether I should go. Going alone could possibly mark the lowest point in my life, and I won't know how to get excited, not to mention happy, about the occasion.

I could continue babbling, but I think I shall end it here.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

Friendship Day

2009-02-15T21:34:00.002+08:00

14 February 2009 was the day a great friend had to leave us. Nicholas has left for Australia to further his studies. And very soon, a lot of us will be going on our respective ways for the same reason. Alton's leaving for America, Dennis may be following suit, and Shaun should be going to Canada after NS.

I would most likely leave Singapore, too, for at least 4 months, depending on the final decision that I make, which will be during my Advanced Diploma year, which starts almost exactly one month after I regain my freedom.

Well, that aside...

Wee Ping went to the Airport, too. It's been a pretty long while since anyone of us saw her, I must say. Long time no see, in practically every sense of the phrase.

Somehow managed to leave my wallet in Mac. At least I was able to get it back. But when I went back to Departure, everyone was leaving already.

We were pretty bored, and most of us were pretty tired, too. I slept a little the night before, so I was relatively fresh, compared to the others, of them some did not sleep a wink. I had to be fresh, anyway, as I was driving. Let them sleep in my Kangoo for a bit, before going down to Parkway for lunch. Sent Wee Ping to school after that.

Ok, now I know the way to SIM from Parkway. Not that I'm actually going to study there, but I guess it's be good to know.

Had a cabbie tailgate and horn me for a pretty long stretch of highway, when I still believe I was not doing anything wrong to be driving a Kangoo at 80kmh on the extreme right lane on a road which speed limit was exactly the speed I was driving at. Nothing I was doing constituted to any form of road-hogging. The cabbie was the one driving illegally.

Anyway, after he sped off, I lost him for a while. But guess where I was when I saw him again.

He was stuck at a traffic light, and I was RIGHT BEHIND him.

Had some fun ridiculing him, though I believe I was the only one who had any idea what I was doing.

Sent the guys home after that, albeit after getting lost again on the way back.

Lesson 1: Read the street directory before going back from an unfamiliar place.

Went out right after I reached home to go play basketball. After being sedate for so long, the fatigue didn't feel real.

Went home only to leave almost right away again. Had a shower, and I seriuously thought we would be going nowhere at night. I ended up in Simpang to pick up Dennis and Amanda (another case of 'Long Time No See'), before picking up Shaun, Alex, Kai Xiang and Zhi Hui.

Went to a place that was a total bitch to be driving to. I shall call it The Coop, Street 9. What exactly the place was, you'll have to find out yourself.

We were supposed to have dinner, but when it was at 10pm, I couldn't really call it one. Shaun left from that point onwards, and we were on our way to Henderson Waves. Got lost again.

Lesson no 2: Always recce an unfamilair place before driving anyone there. If that is not possible, at least read the street directory before going.

Which is exactly what I'm going to do before we go there again.

The way up Mt Faber was a sight to behold. The sheer number of cars stuck on the way down was unbelievable. Managed to find a place to park without much of a problem. But then again, everyone was parking on the side of the road. If you can't beat them, join them, as they like to say, and I did just that.

What a beauty, the first bridge we got on. No pictures to show it, though. Walked on to find the toilet, which would serve as a rally point for us. Explored a small side road to find ourselves staring at a creepy old building, the cheekier guys trying to scare Amanda while we walked around it. Headed back down when we found it led to nowhere.

We were looking for the Forest Walk bridges, but found ourselves at the hilltop. Not that we were complaining, as it turned into a spot where we sat down and talked about all things love. I turned out to be a greater 'database' than I ever imagined. My abilities of observation (call it stalking if you want), deduction and recollection scared everyone a little. But when I promise not to say something, I won't.

Valentine's Day is made for single people like me to feel lonely, but I wasn't. I had my friends, and that was enough for me. For this year, at least.

Anyway, shall we go to Henderson Waves again next week? We could go in the afternoon, and spend the whole day exploring that place! I'll go on a recce mission to find my way around that area, how to get to Upper Thomson Prata House, and the way back on my off day. Which I happen to have. Three, in fact.

Any more places in mind? Leave me a message, and I'll do the driving!

New LeeHom-Style Valentine's Theme Song?

2009-02-11T23:42:00.002+08:00

Check out this song, all you lovebirds out there. Guys, sing it to your Valentine. This, in my opinion, is the song to replace 'Forever Love' as his next great love song. It feels easier to sing, too! Practise hard, guys. Move your love to tears this Valentine's.

After saying so much, the only person I will sing it to this Saturday is myself. Talk about irony.

Anyway, here it is.

Everything - 王力宏

作词:王力宏/小寒作曲:王力宏

故事里的起承转合有一些忘记
做了多少错误的选择
原来波折才暗示着该走的方向
指引你我来到这一刻

就算别人都说我们没什么出息
不可能会这样轻易放弃

Cause You're My Everything
就一个原因让我勇敢面对这个世界
想给你Everything
不管用多少个明天永远从此刻开始算起
你的爱是我的Everything

辽阔天际巧合相遇有多少机率
多少烟火坠落无痕迹
因为幸福没有捷径难免要绕道
不被看好越是要走到

就算别人都说我们没什么出息
不可能会这样轻易放弃

你就是Everything
就这个原因让我勇敢面对这个世界
想给你Everything
只要你说一声愿意所有的未来才有意义
你的爱是我的Everything

Cause You're My Everything
就这个原因让我勇敢面对这个世界
想给你Everything
不管用多少个明天永远从此刻开始算起

你就是Everything
就如这个原因我会永远记住这种感觉
想给你Everything
只要你说一声愿意所有的未来才有意义
你的爱是我的Everything

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BbSEW7m8fw

Learn it.

New season: Pain season

2009-02-11T00:28:00.003+08:00

Haven't feeling very good these few days. My nephew fell sick a few days back, and I think the virus got passed to me when I was playing with him. Strong enough to make a baby fall sick, but barely strong enough to make me feel uncomfortable. The last thing I hope would be to have a full-blown flu, and lose my voice like in most past instances.

My nephew's back in health now, after a bout a flu followed by measles. He was in such foul mood he cried whenever I called him. Now he smiles at me when he sees me return home from work. Haven't carried him in a while, though.

Another thing that has been slightly affecting my life is my 2 rows of teeth. They hurt LIKE HELL. No matter what I eat, be it hot, cold or spicy. Pretty darn annoying, this.

Maybe I'm slowly becoming weaker than ever before. I used to be able to ignore the nagging pain in my mouth. The masochist in me even enjoyed the pain sometimes. Or maybe I really SHOULD be going to a private dentist, instead of waiting for NDC. But to fix my teeth would cost yet another bomb. Not like I haven't bombed myself enough yet.

Oh yes, the pain in my back is back. FOR REAL.

All right, enough about pain.

Met up with the free guys to sit around and chill.

Talking about free, I believe the only guys not to be free during weekdays are Shaun and I, the only 2 guys still serving their term.

To digress even further, Lonely Heart's Day is this Saturday. It's supposed to be Valentine's Day actually, but heck, I've never even had a date!

Talking about dates, the guys asked me a question I had no answer to: How would I go about wooing a girl that I have fallen for?

Well, in my deepest realms of imagination, I would be singing love songs. But when I come back to reality and listen to my own voice, I realise I'm no singer. Ok, I do like to sing, and I do sing a lot, but that doesn't necessarily make me a good singer.

Of course, in another realm of imagination for someone this passive, the tables would be turned. But reality tells me it CANNOT happen to someone like me, not a chance.

2 big bubbles popped, already.

Heck. I'll start thinking of it when something like this does happen to me.

Adios.

Back in the groove

2009-01-28T23:34:00.002+08:00

Suddenly started writing again. On my old paper pad. In newly-half-baked Mandarin. Maybe it's the 超级星光大道 I've been watching during my free time. Just walked into another writer's block.

Reading up on freelance journalism. Doesn't seem to be as easy as I thought. Not thinking about giving up, though, not a chance. I want to experience for myself the life of a journalist.

Actually I'm just killing time until my hair dries. Don't want to wake up with a drill under my skull.

There's suddenly nothing concrete I want to write about. Guess I used up too much of my brain cells writing in Mandarin.

I suddenly have the feeling that I won't get to drive AT ALL this week. Which SUCKS, especially when I have to work OT everyday until February, possibly including weekends. So, guys, I won't be free for most parts of this Saturday, and possibly Sunday. Will only be free next weekend onwards.

Going to work and back just got more difficult. Traveling time just tripled. I'll need an HOUR to get home by bus, or a BOMB by cab. As if it isn't bad enough already.

Life just gets worse with every passing day.

The year of my other animal

2009-01-25T23:19:00.003+08:00

Chinese New Year is about 40 minutes away, as I'm writing this. This will be the that of the other set of animal's stars I was born under. I'm both a Dragon Baby and a Taurean, so the Year of the Ox can be considered my 'constellation year' of sorts. Don't know if it actually means anything, but I guess it doesn't.

Not feeling very excited, really. Although I do want to see relatives that I've not seen in a while, and how they've changed since I last saw them, one year isn't really long enough for there to be huge changes. But I'll keep myself open to surprises.

Let's meet up one day, guys and girls, to decide which day we shall go visit the homes of everyone. Or we could do this through MSN. I, for one, should be pretty free these 2 days. Not a lot of visiting to do, really.

Happy 牛 Year, everyone.

10 years

2009-01-25T01:43:00.000+08:00

Was on duty on Friday, which seriously sucked, as I was the only Chinese guy there NOT to get half day off. Spent the night watching DVDs and reading Top Gear.

The more I read those car mags, the more I wish I could be part of the team. To me, that could well be the best job in the world.

The incoming duty person was late, which resulted in me leaving late also. I just don't ever seem to be able to leave duty on time.

Wanted to make a police report for my lost EZLink card, but decided not to, when I found out that I did not need to. Met up with the guys to do some last-minute shopping. Almost spent even more, but I'm glad I didn't spend anymore. The numbers in the bank balance show that I'm under recession as well.

It felt strangely similar, yet entirely different from last year. The setting and occasion was almost identical, just that the cast wasn't the same. Want to know what I'm talking about? Click on February 2008 under my Archives.

The biggest difference this time, I think, was that I drove to town. Man, this is addictive stuff!

Went into a relatively primitive carpark, which still goes by the autopay station. Thought I lost the ticket when we got back to the carpark when we were leaving for 85 for dinner. Found it, and guess what else I found.

My EZLink card!

Then we had another problem. I didn't bring cash with me, and the machine did NOT take the new plastic notes. Not a huge problem, in the end. Got to 85 without much of a problem.

Went to East Coast Park to just chill and talk about life, and what the future could look like. Left when we thought I was getting pretty late. A few of us had to be up early to prepare for Chinese New Year.

I'm one of them, actually.

I'm getting a little sleepy. Like, finally. Shall wake up by myself later, then continue clearing up my room, and the Kangoo. That thing needs a thorough wash, both interior and exterior.

Done. Outta here.

Spring-cleaning

2009-01-21T22:05:00.002+08:00

Probably the only time I ever bother to do anything about my room is during spring-cleaning. Just threw away tons of old stuff. You could say I threw away lots of my memories, but if I could actually throw them away, I didn't want to remember them anyway.

Now AT LEAST my room looks less like a warzone. Will continue with the 'reconstruction' and 'concealment' efforts. Gonna change my curtains, and hang up some posters to cover up the stains on my walls. Painting will be later, as I don't have time for such large projects right now.

On a lighter note, the Kangoo is BACK! I can drive it to work tomorrow, and I will be driving it to help my brother bring back some of the CNY stuff we will get tomorrow night. I will be able to use it during the weekend, too, just in case anyone needs/wants to do some last-minute shopping.

I suddenly have a very crazy thought: I want my OWN car! I felt like I was short of a limb when I couldn't drive the past few days, when it was in the workshop to get the air-con fixed. Now it'd BETTER work, and NOT spoil again.

But I know that will be very much impossible in the near future, as I can't even fend for myself right now. My aim still stays: to save enough to buy and support a car in 4 or less years of working.

Yesterday was Gene's birthday. Had to be late as I was working OT. With an audit coming, OT is hardly a surprising thing.

Come to think of it, I'm turning 21 soon, too. Well, not VERY soon, but at least it's in the foreseeable future. I most likely will be in Tekong on the day itself, getting taupok-ed and all, so I will be celebrating it the weekend before it, which is practically a long weekend, as the Friday is Labour Day.

I'm thinking of throwing a party at my father's other house in Lakeside on the first weekend of May. The location is not confirmed as of now, as I believe it's quite inaccessible for everyone, since everybody I know lives in the East. Shall seek the opinion of everyone at a closer date.

Talking about Tekong, yes, I'm going for recourse soon. On 30 March, actually. By the time I finish my recourse, I will almost be able to smell the 3 sacred letters that signify my almost-absolute freedom.

8 months is a LONG wait.

I'm outta here. Gotta work OT tomorrow. Better get some more sleep.

I'll see ya when I see ya, as usual.

Luckless

2009-01-15T23:05:00.003+08:00

Was on off the past day. All that it tried to show me was that my bad luck has continued, even into my off day. Got lost on the Queensway, and nearly hit another car while parking into some crazy narrow lot, which happened to be the only one in sight. Had to go head-in into another lot after I gave up on that one.

Queensway turned out to be a fruitless trip. Zhi Hui and I went there for different purposes, and both left empty-handed, only to come all the way back to Tampines to look for whatever we were looking for.

My bad luck continued, nonetheless. Bought my wallet rather quickly, though.

I know there seems to be no link between me talking about bad luck, and talking about the wallet I bought. But read on, and you'll find the link.

Went to the Puma shop to look for the shoe I wanted. Then the bad luck struck again.

Practically EVERYTHING I was looking for either had no size, or was a FEMALE'S shoe. Settled for something I thought was reasonably good enough for me to part with $132. That, was after asking about at least half a dozen others.

Here comes the link about the wallet.

I, rather happily, walked out of Puma.

Zhi Hui: Eh, did you take your wallet?
Me: Yeah, in my pocket.
*takes out my wallet*
Zhi Hui: Not this one. The one you bought.
Me: Damn.

Turned back to look for it. I stepped out of it barely 5 minutes ago, and it was GONE.

See the link?

There was this promotion going on at Cotton On, where some polos were going for just $10. Saw one that I would want to wear, but, bingo, there was no size.

Went back home to get a new phone. Then, bingo again, this time a double whammy. First, I was looking for the Soul. It has been discontinued, and the shop has sold every single one. Then I asked about the S7330. Yes, they have it, but not in the colour I want. They only had the black one in stock, and I wanted the grey one. They will call me when the stock comes in, which most likely will be tomorrow afternoon.

So, most likely, I will be parting with $168 tomorrow evening.

Let's meet up for dinner/supper tomorrow at 85. I can't drive tomorrow, as my father's going for a dinner, so I can't go far. Plus, I'm on duty on Saturday, and I don't think I'll get to sleep a lot this time, as I need to help prepare for the audit in February.

Downloaded a few new songs, after hearing them on the radio. I must say, I'm impressed with 梁文音. Not that I don't already know how good a singer she is, though. There used to be some elements in her singing that I didn't quite like, but I could hardly find any flaws when I listened to her new song. This girl just got EVEN BETTER!

But this is only my first impression. I'll leave my final verdict until I finish listening to her album.

All right, I'm done. I'll see ya when I see ya.

Shopping season

2009-01-14T22:54:00.002+08:00

Thursday's an off day for me, so I shall finish up my CNY shopping in this one day. I need to get a new wallet, and a new pair of shoes. I'm thinking of getting the Kimi Raikonnen edition Puma sneakers, but it's $160, and WHITE. Still aiming for a Puma, but I'm open to other options, too.

Just finished watching Initial D Stage 4. After 4 full series, there is still no end in sight. But long may it continue. I'd rather there never be an ending. Exhilerating stuff, it sure is. Long Live Initial D!

Oh yes, talking about cars, the Kangoo is back on the road. Just drove it in the morning, and the throttle almost feels like new. There seems to be a slightly stronger reaction when I step on it, although pickup is still painfully slow, especially uphill.

And since we are in the topic of driving...

YES! I just got my photocard license on Monday. Was on duty, sadly, so I could only see it when I got home at 9pm. Why so late?

I was on a trip to Tuas to destroy some documents, and the vehicle I went in broke down on the way back. Had to wait for the tow truck to take it away, and for someone to come save us.

Just my luck with broken cars. First, I broke mine. Then, one broke while I was inside, although I wasn't driving. If I were to be driving, I would definitely stay away from the wheel for at least a week, until my 'Midas' touch goes away.

Going to get myself a new phone. I was surfing the Net to look for one that I liked. Read a few reviews here and there, which left me a little undecided. I've narrowed it down to 2 now. One is the Samsung Soul. The other is the Soul's spinoff, the Samsung S7330. Both look similar, and because of that, both look incredibly cool. The S7330 seems better, but I have a feeling it's not released in the smaller-scale shops yet. Shall give the shop near my house a shot. Even if they don't have it yet, I think I'll be happy enough with the Soul. And when it's only $200 with a price plan, there are even fewer reasons not to.

I'll need to get my mother to come along with me, as I will need a change of price plan. My current plan is sucking me dry, and it's not even mine. It's a sup plan from my mother, which I intend to cancel as soon as I can inform everyone about my new number. My number can't be kept, as I'm not doing an upgrade, but a total change in plan.

My eyes can't open anymore. Time for some rest, and I want to wake up by myself. Then I'll give the Kangoo another wash (somehow birds just LOVE bombing it) before taking it out on a good old shopping spree.

Good deal?

2009-01-12T02:57:00.002+08:00

I'm changing my handphone plan. My current plan doesn't work for me anymore. My phone bills are skyrocketing at a rate even faster than the crazy rise in oil prices not very long ago. And since there are NSF plans out there that look like very good deals, all the more I should go for them.

Time to read some reviews to find the phone I want, and will want to use at least until I graduate. I had wanted my father to buy one for me, so that I could save up to get my own laptop when I enter school, but he made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

My father said: Buy the phone yourself, I'll buy you the laptop you want. Price isn't a problem.

I said: Deal.

So all the money I will save now will go into my 'Liverpool Fund' of sorts. Not the same one that Ngiam is trying to save up for, of course. I'm saving up to be able to survive 4 months in Liverpool on my own. Anfield is just a sideshow, and I don't even intend to go there, not alone, that is. If there is one stadium I am, willing to go to alone, it would be the Emirates. But even that would be a sideshow, as I'm going there to study. Pilgrimages can be done later.

Shall spend a few days going through the Net to find a decent phone that is not too expensive. I won't be able to keep my current number, though, when I change my plan. Gonna have to transfer all my contacts into the new phone, and message everyone. But no worries, I will be having free UNLIMITED SMS.

Till then, then.

Could it get any worse?

2009-01-11T01:55:00.000+08:00

The past week sucked. The only thing I sort of enjoyed was driving to work.

And as if it wasn't bad enough already, I had to go back to work on Saturday at 3am. Was so tired I couldn't really drive normally. Messed up my parking with every single try. Then this happened.

The plan was to pick up Zhi Hui and Amanda, then meet up with the gang at Botak Jones Bedok. Went to get a car wash, and reached Zhi Hui's house a little too early. Reached Amanda's house even earlier, which resulted in us waiting in the carpark. Tried to rest my eyes a little until she arrived. When she did, I tried to start my engine, and get ready to go. Then it happened.

The engine revved all the way to 3000rpm, then dropped straight down and died. I knew next to nothing about mechanics, so the only thing I could do was wait for my brother and father to save me. They did, but by the time the Kangoo could move again, most of them had gone home already, and I couldn't drive it anymore. The pipe connecting the accelerator to the engine came loose, and my father had to tie it together using rafia string. It could break again anytime, so the safest way would be to drive it home and leave it there until my father sent it for repairs.

So, for the first time in my life, I drove my brother's Impreza to Simpang. But that was the furthest I drove in it, as my brother took it home after topping up, and wouldn't borrow it to me. Didn't really want to drive anyway, as I was pretty tired. Wasn't sure if I could fully concentrate on the road.

Breaking a car is a terrible feeling. It's a million times worse when one breaks a car, and can't do anything about it. I can't find a word to describe it, but it sucks.

Ok, my first impressions of the Impreza:

Man, it's got power steering and no SWD! Heck, everything feels totally different! It felt like I just stepped into another dimension altogether, really. But the differences end when it comes to the performance.

The power feels similar to that of the Kangoo's, but it feels like it's produced more evenly. It doesn't jump when I release the brake pedal, but the pick-up from rest feels pretty similar. The gear-changes are smoother in the Impreza, but the effort it needs to accelerate on the expressway doesn't feel very different.

But I like the brakes. It is a lot easier to control than the Kangoo's, in my opinion. I don't have to step on the brakes so hard it screeches, and because of that, it doesn't jerk when it stops fully.

Pedal feel is sharper in the Impreza, but not by much, I would say.

All in all, the Impreza's not as powerful as I originally thought, but it does feel a better car, as compared to the Kangoo. However, given a choice, I would still drive the Kangoo.

The reason is pretty simple, actually. When I drive, I'm usually not alone. I want my passengers to be as comfortable as possible, and the Impreza, with its low roof and small legroom, stands no chance against the Kangoo in terms of comfort. I feel more at home in it, too, since I'm already quite used to it.

Now I have an aim: That aim would be to save enough for the downpayment of either a 5-door Volkswagen Golf TSI, a VW Touran Sport, or a Honda Civic Type R by 25, or after 3 years of working, whichever the earlier.

I am exactly 8 more months to freedom. A future awaits me, and I can't wait.

Review day

2009-01-04T04:09:00.002+08:00

Did quite a few things this past day. Loads of fun and laughter, as always. I guess all of us would agree that we are a rather crazy group of people, doing all sorts of crazy things together.

Before I digress even further, let me go back to the past day.

Left the Kangoo alone for a while in the afternoon, as I made a trip without it. Wasn't about to waste money parking at Tampines Mall when all I was going to do there was buy stationery. Made my way back after that to rest a little, before leaving house again, this time with the Kangoo.

Went to look at furniture at Ikea, then headed down to Tampines to find a place we could watch Bedtime Stories. Turns out we checked out the WRONG timing for Tampines Mall, and it had already started by the time we reached there. So I sped over to Century Square to get tickets first, as I could the fastest.

I'm usually only capable of walking at high speed for short bursts, like cars using nitro. But today felt a little different. It felt like I was turbocharged without a second of lag, as I just kept going at the same speed.

Anyway, we managed to get tickets at Century Square, barely 10 minutes before the start of the movie.

Now for the first review: of Bedtime Stories.

We all knew this was going to be some crazily funny fairytale when Adam Sandler and Disney were put together, and a crazily funny fairytale it SURE was. The whole cinema was filled with laughter, almost from start to finish. It had a pretty bad ending, though, in my opinion.

Overall, I would say it's a pretty good movie in terms of pure entertainment, but with not much of a meaning. But then again, fairytales aren't meant to have much meaning. 3.5 out of 5 from me.

Went to pick up Amanda for supper (you could call it dinner actually) at 85, then headed down to Marina Barrage at 1 in the morning.

My opinion of that place: Pretty cool.

I've only seen one of the 3 possible views from the Barrage, and I must say I was pleased with what I saw. We should go there again during the day, and during sunrise/sunset. It would be a totally different experience altogether, although we practically look at the same things.

Now for my last review: of the Renault Kangoo.

I've driven it for quite a while now, and this is what I feel about it.

This thing must be one of the most versatile class 3 cars ever made.

Want more legroom? No problem, move that sofa closer to the boot.

Want to be able to sleep comfortably (read: lying down) in a car? No problem, the sofa can be adjusted to go ALL THE WAY down, like it were a bed. Shaun, Dennis and Amanda can vouch for it, as they DID sleep lying down on the rear seats.

Want some wind in your hair? Easy. Just open the windows, and the roof. The roof is maunal, though.

But there are a few things I don't like. The air-con's spoilt, it has a speed warning device, and it has absolutely no power. I can't even overtake other vehicles.

All right, let me end this post here. I'm totally smashed.

While the curtains fell

2009-01-03T01:49:00.002+08:00

Was clearing up my off days the whole of the past week, except for my duty days, which leaves me with another off day to clear. Did a lot of stuff, and a lot of driving, too.

Gave our mouths a thorough burning at some place in Seletar which was so far-flung we all thought we just drove into another dimension. Took possibly the longest way imaginable from Seletar to Chomp Chomp for dessert.

Went to submit my application for my course in TMC on the second-last day of the year, went bowling (played what could be the most expensive games I messed up), then drove to Holland Village for the very first time, to visit their Hog's Breath outlet. Not sure if I got the name correct, though. Got VERY lost, which was rather painful to the wallet.

Dinner was pretty steep, but I feel we paid for both quality and quantity. Boy, was I stuffed!

Headed down to Dempsey Hill's Ben and Jerry's for dessert. Parked the Kangoo in a way befitting a van; beside a truck in the middle of nowhere.

The countdown to 2009 was done on the way back home. We were in the Suntec area when the fireworks were firing from Marina. Couldn't have even taken a glance, as that second off the road could result in a lot of things when I was the one holding the steering wheel.

All I did was sleep during duty, so there seriously isn't anything worth talking about.

Went to sing at Chinatown. Exerted myself a little too much, I guess, judging from the headache I'm having right now.

Oh yes, Amanda, you are officially my first ever female passenger! Though I must admit it was in rather compromising situation. But when it was a choice of cramming with 3 others or sitting in the boot, it was a rather easy one, I guess.

I've just managed to make this post a lot shorter than what I usually write. I'm a little too tired to go into the details tonight. Time to bed. Hope I get to drive later in the day.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

There goes my one-day workweek

2008-12-29T19:36:00.002+08:00

After a week of relative freedom, I was eagerly anticipating the same for the week which I cleared my off days. But the heavens wouldn't allow me to stay in such high spirits, as it seemed to be rather unbefitting of someone this pessimistic and negative to actually be happy and positive. So it decided to stick a sledgehammer in my face.

Have a guess what it is.

If you've read this enough, it should be rather easy, as most of the bad stuff I get during work is the same.

Yes, it is duties.

And, of all days, New Year duty.

I guess my only consolation is that I didn't get Lunar New Year duty.

No wait, I'm on duty on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year!

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spending the first day of the year doing duty sucks to the core, even though I do practically nothing but eat and sleep from 8am to 8am the next day. not even when I get an off day out of it. Not even when there's karaoke to look forward to after my duty.

Heck, I'm gonna make full use of my off days. I'm leaving at exactly 8am tomorrow and Friday.

I think I shall make my way down to TMC to get my applications done, then go bowl at SAFRA Tampines. Now that I can drive, I will be able to do both on the same day. But I'll have to find a way to get there WITHOUT having to go through any of those gantries of public hatred.

I just topped up the Kangoo yesterday. Hope it will be enough to last me through the month, or at least most of it.

12 more hours to my first of 3 off days!

Actually 4, if you want to count New Year duty already.

Too bad this freedom is painfully short-lived.

Yes!

2008-12-27T00:44:00.002+08:00

I could say I was pretty lucky during the test, but HECK! They've already passed me. Time to DRIVE!

I will need more time to get used to driving, especially parking, the Kangoo. I'm still a little nervous. Maybe I drive too fast. But all that will get better with more practice.

May not get to drive during the weekends, as my father will most likely take the car, since he's around only on weekends. Will need to be his chauffeur if I am to use his car during the weekend.

It's 15 minutes to Arsenal-Villa, and I'm hungry. Outta here.

I am L-plate driver NO MORE!

My nephew LOVES me!

2008-12-22T22:32:00.002+08:00

Well, here I am, pretty bored and not at home again.

I guess this place has finally caught up with the life I had been living. Updating this isn't that painfully hard anymore. Only that I won't have pictures when I don't write at home.

Now to the main event.

Saturday was both boring and exciting at once. Went window-shopping at Vivo with the guys. Went looking for ideas for what I can buy for the Christmas present, but left Vivo as clueless as when I first reached there.

Went to Lagoon forwhat we could consider dinner, as it was slightly too early. Went home to play with my nephew for a while before leaving house again, this time to Cheng Wee's.

Was there a little too early, so I went on a hunt for a convenience store, which brought me ALL THE WAY to the 7-11 near to Amanda's house. That's pretty darn far away from East Shore Hospital, which happens to be the place a lot of us were born.

All I shall say is that after that day, I have sworn off all sorts of gambling, short and high stakes alike, for all of my present and next lives, if I do manage to recognise my own existence in my next life.

Wanted to take bus 10 home, but the first bus only reached Bedok past 7. Took 38 and 69 in the end. Left for my driving lesson having not slept a wink. I guess my instructor could see that I was looking pretty tired.

I almost forgot to mention that I actually fell asleep on the way back home, and overshot my stop. Had to take another bus, for all of one stop, to get back home.

Fell asleep again on bus 87. Almost didn't manage to alight at CDC. Fell asleep again on the return journey, only to have my eyes open in time to see that the bus driver had made his way up to the second deck to try to wake me up.

I was actually pretty darn tired, but I thought I was running out of time to get the Christmas present. So I dragged my fatigued body to town alone, to do some CNY shopping at the same time. Fell asleep on 14, and ended up in the middle of nowhere

I THINK I have bought something I could gift-wrap, then wrap again in newspaper, and throw under Zhi Hui's Christmas tree. Shall go on another short shopping trip tomorrow, as I'm going to ask to clear up half of the 3-odd off days I have left, before going for this function at a hotel later in the evening. Shall do some grocery shopping as well. Wednesday's going to be my first ever time cooking for more than 2 people, and I don't want to mess it up. Found a few recipes that look simple enough, but I'll need to hunt for ingredients.

I think tomorrow will be one of the rare times I will be wearing a shirt. But I won't be briging along my camera, as it would look totally out of place around my neck. Do look for me later in the night, if there's anything.

ANYWAY, let me go back to where I drifted off.

Had to leave for Arsenal-Liverpool almost immediately after reaching home. Fell asleep again, overshot my supposed stop (Alton's house) again, and ended up somewhere near Amanda's house again. Made my way back to where I was supposed to be, and fell asleep on the bench this time. I was sleeping SITTING on the bench, not lying on it, just for your information.

What an intersting sight it must have been when Dennis arrived. I opened my eyes just in time to see Dennis alight and look strangely at me, and the bench beside me. Now guess what he was looking at.

Ok, time for the answer.

I was sleeping on one of the 2 benches in the bus stop, Amanda was reading on the OTHER bench, and BOTH of us had absolutely NO IDEA the other person was around.

Now to my take on the match:

I would say a draw was a reasonable result, and probably the most possible outcome. But this was one draw that WASN'T boring. Both teams fought till the very end. Such high-intensity matches are worth sacrificing sleep for.

I'm pretty glad it turned out to be a draw. What I WASN'T happy about was Adebayor's second yellow, which I think some would agree was a mistake by Howard Webb.

I feel the match would have been a little different if Fabregas wasn't injured before half-time, and Adebayor wasn't sent off. I believe 'Pool fans would have wanted Babel to have more time on the field. It could have been a totally different ball game, but a hugely exciting one nonetheless.

Man, I'm tired. If I had 9 lives, I think I would already have died 4 times in the past weekend alone. I'm fast running out of juice for the 5th time.

Anyway, let me talk about something closer to my title.

Yes, my nephew loves me. He smiles at me and wants me to carry him the moment he sees me walk through the metal gates of my house. And sometimes he just WOULDN'T let me put him down. Sometimes he even starts crying when I go to my room to change!

Wanna see my nephew up close and personal. Well, you all will, when you come over to my house during Chinese New Year.

I'm almost done with my CNY shopping, by the way. Just need to get a new pair of shoes, and maybe a wallet, and I'll have enough to take me through the year.

It's getting late, and I'm getting pretty tired. Adios for now.

Guess where I am

2008-12-19T22:09:00.002+08:00

I can only say that I'm not at home as I'm writing this post, and that I am not supposed to be doing this. But Fridays nights are plain boring, especially when there isn't a single person with me right now. I'm totally alone, with nothing much I can do, really.

Anyway, the past week sucked bigtime. 3 duties in 5 days, 4 in 8. I've more off days to clear than the remainder of this calendar! I've already told my boss that once we ride through this final storm, he won't be seeing me until 2009.

Both next week and the week after will be one-day work weeks for me. Duties. Every other day is an off day for me, other than next Friday, which I applied leave for. The 24th is a full off day for me, by the way, so do call me if there's anything that needs to be done.

Have driving lessons tomorrow, early in the morning. I can only pray that I can leave on time, if not I won't make it to CDC on time.

The mildly-burning candle I was hoping for did not appear the last time I left for home. Somehow I couldn't bring myself to smile anymore. Even when my nephew, though sleepy, was smiling at me when I got home.

I'm still praying for it to appear before me again, even for just one moment, even if all that I ever do is walk right past it without the slightest pause.

Haven't really seen my nephew for a while, and I don't think I'll be seeing him a lot this weekend either. Lots to do and lots to buy. I haven't bought my Christmas present yet, and I don't have a clue what to buy! Having to work overtime nearly everyday didn't help one bit. I think everyone knows who I'm buying for already.

A little help, guys and girls?

This post is so random. Let me make this even more random.

Here's my Chinese New Year shopping list!

1. A new pair of shoes.
2. A couple of new caps.
3. More clothes.
4. A new belt, maybe.
5. A new wallet.

Post-Christmas shopping, anyone?

All right, I'm done. Time to find something else to do.

I'll be free from noon onwards, both Saturday and Sunday. Do call me if there's anything. I could do with some clues, also.

Sleepless

2008-12-16T20:02:00.007+08:00

There are a lot of things which I no longer remember, all those things I did weeks ago. Weekdays aren't really worth much of a mention, except that work gets harder with every passing day.

Let me rewind to the last weekend of November. I somehow don't remember what I did that Saturday, but I know I went home very late that night.

Ahh, yes...now I remember.

Went to some photography exhibition at some place I had NEVER heard of before.

We had to climb up this crazy flight of stairs. This place was on top of some hill in the middle of practically nowhere.

Looked very much like an idiot over there, with just some cheapo Lumix slung on my neck, while others had big DSLRs. Not that I cared, though.

Took a few pictures here and there, but nothing worth posting here, I'm afraid.

Went to The Cathay to walk around and find some stuff to do, and guess who we bumped into.

Them!

Nah, just kidding. These were just some of the more interesting things in the shop Wee Ping was working in.

Wee Ping had just posed with them for Lam's picture, when I zoomed right into JUST them and practically asked her to 'get out of me viewfinder!'

Nah, just kidding, again.

Walked around again, this time looking for dinner, and ended up in Crystal Jade Kitchen PS. Not bad, but nothing to shout about, really.

Went to take a look at all the interesting, and downright weird, things they were selling. There was this shop selling real versions of katanas that have appeared in anime, like Rukia's Sode no Shirayuki, Kenshin's reverse-blade, Hitsugaya's Hyorinmaru, etc.

Sort of ran out of things to do, so we went back to the Cathay to see if Wee Ping had knocked off. Turned out she wasn't free after work, and what a scene right before we turned around and left. Her colleagues made her go back into the shop, then ran out and closed the shutters!

Now THAT was pretty funny.

Next stop: Geylang. For pig organ soup.

Had to walk through the more sleazy parts to get to our destination. I guess sometimes it's actually good to be poor, ugly and underage.

Discovered a bloody gem, in every sense of the word. The pig liver soup was practically RED in colour, but bloody hell, was it good. Guess it doesn't hurt to have some sinful pleasure once in a while.

Woke up early the next day to celebrate my father's birthday, then to my primary school teacher's chalet for her daughter's first birthday. Sat the full length of bus 31 back to Tampines, which, surprisingly, was a lot shorter than I previously thought. I seriously didn't know that Bendemeer road was so near Toa Payoh.

Went to get an umbrella, as it was raining, but I lost it just an hour later. The skies were clear by then.

Bought the birthday girl a present, and were on our way after some coffee, when everyone arrived.

Here's the birthday girl:

And here's my nephew. Oh man, he loves me! He wants me to hug him the moment I reach home after work!

Aww man, aren't they cute?

It sort of makes me want a baby of my own. But I don't even have a girlfriend, much less a wife to have a baby with.

Went home pretty early, since almost everyone, including me, had to work on Monday.

Let's take this post a little further, shall we?

Let's go on to the first weekend of December!

All that I remember was that I think I went Hong Kong Street for dinner, then spent a bomb on daily necessities. Celebrated Raymond's birthday, and Kai Xiang's 'freedom'. I only remember staying out VERY late both Friday and Saturday, and I did not remember sleeping before I left for duty on Sunday. But I seriously can't remember what I did. There's almost nothing that can help me remember.

Ok, now to last weekend.

Was on half-day leave on Friday. Did a very damn crazy but fun thing: I, the lowest lifeform possible while serving my 'term', arrowed my boss, just before I left.

Kai Xiang joined me for bowling. I was bowling surprisingly straight one shot, overhooking the other. Rushed back home to put down my bowling bag, and we were off to Simpang for 'linner', my way of saying 'lunch + dinner'. Committed one of the biggest mortal sins I could commit, and WALKED home from around the Siglap area, and taking the LONGEST direct route there was. Took me a full hour-and-a-half just to reach home. Was out again Saturday afternoon, to meet up with the gang. The irony was that I left the moment everyone had arrived. They celebrated Ngiam's birthday, while I headed down to Cheng Wee's house for their class gathering. I can be considered to be a gate-crasher, as I was the last to reach there, and was the ONLY one NOT from their class.

Committed that same mortal sin yet again. All right, time to abstain, before my wallet and bank balance lose another digit.

Watched Barca beat Real in what was a pretty exciting match, then we were on our way home. Didn't sleep a wink when I got home, as I had to leave soon after, to go for this dim sum buffet thing near Peninsula. Great stuff, I must say, but we were SO stuffed.

Oh yes, I took the whole 293 trip, as I fell asleep on it, and missed the interchange.

Collected the jeans I sent for altering the week before, and was on my way home. Fell asleep on the bus again, and nearly did not alight at the interchange.

I shall not talk about work, because it SUCKED, plain and simple. Couldn't even take my off day, with all the work I have to do. I'm effectively a 3-headed monster there, as I have to do the jobs of 3 people, sometimes more.

But at least there was this small flame that lighted up this dark and cold day. Haven't seen this person in a VERY long while. Just walking past without saying a word put a slight smile on my face, even if I actually don't know this person at all, other than the name.

I'm on duty AGAIN later. Although my wishes rarely ever come true, please let me see this person again when I head home on Thursday, even if just a slight glance.

Oh, by the way,

Happy Birthday Amanda.

Life was a bore

2008-12-01T23:12:00.004+08:00

All I did during the weekdays was run, run, and run some more. Still unable to get past 12 lane-8 rounds. The weather, and sometimes my workload, wasn't very kind to me, though.

Never mind, let me go straight to the point.

Actually, I can't really remember what I did during the time I didn't blog.

Wait, I think I'm starting to recall...

Ah, yes, Saturday.

I was on duty on Friday. Somehow, I didn't manage to fall asleep. AT ALL. Wanted to go home and lie down for a while, but ended up doing anything BUT lie down.

Spent the whole day with the guys on MSN thinking of where to go to do what. We thought of bowling. Everywhere was fully booked till closing. We thought of singing. Fully booked till closing. Ended up with me waiting at Tanah Merah MRT for what I think was about an hour. I didn't actually know where we were going to, until everyone started arriving. Spent my time reading Top Gear and listening to Mizuki Nana.

Decided to go to the airport for dinner. Didn't really have a place in mind, so we were wandering around until we found some place everyone agreed to. So there we were, at Fish 'n' Co Terminal 2. I ordered something I had seriously no idea what it was, but it came as quite a pleasant surprise.

Our next hunt was for dessert, which brought us to Terminal 3. During which was the Singapore version of 'I walk way faster than the damn travellator'.

Ok, I did use the travellator in the end, since I was doing:

This.

Then I did what they called a break-dancing routine, when the travellator reached its end with my BACK facing it. I usually don't give two hoots to whatever's behind me, especially things I can't see, so I tripped and hopped around to get myself back in balance.

A slight case of deja vu maybe? We went to practically every single cafe there was in Terminal 3, only to find one word: PACKED.

Where did we end up?

Crystal Jade Bakery. Now guess what we ordered.

A birthday cake-size Tiramisu!

Then I clean forgot something, until I took a bite into my slice: There was ALCOHOL inside it.

I had to be glad the quantity was not enough to give me any drastic after-effects, other than feeling a little warmer, especially my face. Flushed myself with some cold drinks right after.

They put this 'turtle' on the cake as an ornament. Great idea, huh? It's made of chocolate and coffee beans, by the way, so it's actually fully edible.

Oh yes, we were drawing lots for Secret Santa, to decide who was buying presents for who. Nobody's supposed to know who picked what. I'm not telling who I drew, of course.

Seems that the lots are going to be redrawn on Sunday. I'll be on duty, so just pick anyone for me. I'm fine with anyone, however awkward it could turn out to be.

Anyway...

Went to Ngiam's house (as always) to chill and watch soccer, then hung around East Coast until I had a bus home. I would say my shutter was kept pretty busy, but this post is getting LONG. Pictures later. IF I can be bothered to upload them, that is.

And THAT was my weekend, 2 weeks ago.

More updates another day. It's getting late, and I have to work tomorrow.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

UnLOF-ing

2008-11-19T22:29:00.002+08:00

Sure feels like I haven't been blogging for a very long time, but it has only been 11 days since my last post. So much happened during this 11 days. I may already have forgotten some of those things that happened.

Let me go all the way back to last Sunday.

Got myself a new pair of jeans from Levi's, since they were offering trade-in offers, and I had quite a few that I could no longer wear, as my waist had been changing sizes a little on both ways.

Next stop, meeting the gang to go to Queensway. Alex wanted to get new running shoes for his marathon. I was broke already, so I was just walking around doing some window-shopping. Was really tempted to buy the Arsenal training kit, but didn't in the end. Had already burst my budget for the day on my new pair of jeans.

We had gone to Ikea earlier for the hotdogs, and we were back there again, this time for dinner. Found some incredibly comfortable sofa seats. How comfortable? Well, I almost fell asleep sitting on it.

Walked around Ikea a little, marvelling at the skill of their designers. I think all of us were slightly tempted to 'zhng' our own rooms after that!

Went on our home, and back to work on Monday.

Met up with the guys (plus one Ngiam) for what was supposed to be dinner. Turned out, all of us weren't really having much of an appetite. But, as I've heard others say, there's always room for dessert. So we ended up at Ice Cream Chefs, near to the old Jackie's Bowl. It was one of my favourite places to bowl and hang out at (the food was AWESOME), what a pity it had to make way for some residential apartments.

But I digress.

It had been a pretty long while since I had ice cream, and what a way to return.

Quite a good place to chill out, this. Just sitting there, chatting and laughing, or in Ngiam's case, whip out notes to study, only to almost subconsciously put them back into the bag five minutes later.

Guess that bring us to one conclusion: The best way, and place to study, is alone at home, in school or the library. Anywhere else is, or may be, too distracting.

But I digress even further.

Ok, enough about Monday, since we went home right after that.

Managed to get my duty changed, so that I could be free on Sunday. Will talk about that later.

Let me first go into Friday.

Had to go for some utterly dumb anniversary thingy which was at, of all places, Jurong West. Had thought of staying over at my father's Lakeside house the night before, but decided against it. Went for a run instead.

But I digress, yet again.

Made my escape with some other guys when we thought the time was right. Got changed, and walked out as though I wasn't there at all. Fell asleep on the painfully long train ride home. Reached home, grabbed lunch, and went on to what I had been planning to do all along: Go bowling.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well I was actually doing, but I still had no way into the 1-3 pocket. So it was almost Brooklyn all the way. In the PBA, Brooklyn strikes are luck. Then I guess I was having some pretty darn good luck down at the lanes. Played 2 disgusting games when I tried another style of bowling, but still managed a 148.5 average over 6 games.

Next month's target: above 150. If over 160, all the better.

At least now I know that both myself and my Tornado aren't made for big angles.

Let me go on to Sunday. Before I go on and on, and bore everyone with jargon.

Went to check out the fast food buffet at this place, Dallas. I would say that the food is actually pretty good, but definitely not made for an eat-all-you-can. Fried chicken definitely isn't something people can continue eating for hours on end without feeling sick.

Went to The Cathay for Quantum of Solace. There was a surprising number of empty seats for the timing we chose. Not that we're complaining, of course.

Did I just say something about always having space for dessert? Well, we did get ourselves some more ice cream before the movie, this time from Ben & Jerry's.

Let me just rate Quantum of Solace.

Didn't really understand parts of it, as I only watched bits and pieces of Casino Royale. The first part of the movie alone had me clutching my face, as I had just seen 12 Aston Martin DBSes get totalled, and a few Alfa Romeo 159s getting thrown off cliffs and crushed by trailers.

Not a very typical Bond movie, I would say, but a pretty good one nonetheless. 3.5 out of 5 from me.

The gang headed down to Ngiam's house to play Pictionary, something which I absolutely suck at. I suck in all board games and strategy games.

Oh yes, Wee Ping joined us from this point onwards.

We got so crazy we forgot it was a Sunday night, and that the next day was Monday. Toned down a little, but we had loads of fun nonetheless.

Saw something which would appear in the papers later, on our way back home. You know, the 3-car accident at Marine Parade-Siglap, where the Subaru Impreza's head was totally smashed, taking one Porsche and a cab with it.

Fast forward again...

Was very late for work this morning. How come?

I was the first to find out, when I woke up and walked to the kitchen toilet to wash up before going to work. I heard some very loud gushing sound coming from somewhere in the kitchen, which was somehow WET.

Guess what I found.

The pipe connected to the dishwashing basin had burst. Had to turn off the mains after a pretty long struggle, as it was stuck.

Poof! There goes all our water!

My brother and I bought water from the multi-storey carpark washing bay for emergency use while we waited for the plumber to arrive and fix the damn thing.

Now that it's been fixed, everything has returned to normal.

Another long day awaits me. Just don't rain, I beg of you. I want to run.

Roller coaster

2008-11-08T23:13:00.004+08:00

Failed my driving test again. Next one will be after Christmas, so it is highly possible to have the year end with only ONE newly-qualified driver. I do want to pass the next one, but I'm not going to expect anything. The fall won't hurt as much if the height was set at the lowest possible.

Didn't get to sleep much during duty yesterday, so I slept my fill at home. Almost missed Arsenal-ManUre. But boy, was I glad I woke up in time. Or even at home, for that matter.

Samir Nasri just made my otherwise uneventful day. But Arsene Wenger seems to like to give heart attacks to his fans nowadays, as I nearly saw lightning strike twice.

86th min: 2-0 Arsenal
90th min: 2-1 Arsenal
Stoppage time: 6 minutes.

Sounds slightly familiar?

If you don't remember, let me remind you.

Rewind to Arsenal-Spurs.

86th min: 4-2 Arsenal
89th min: 4-3 Arsenal
93th min: 4-4 draw.

Now imagine how my heart nearly stopped when Rafael scored, and how relieved I was to hear the final whistle.

Ok, summary of emotions this week:

Was almost slightly depressed after failing my driving test. Recovered a little as the week went by, but Friday's sleepless duty brought it back down. The prospect of an uneventful weekend to cap off an uneventful week sent me hiding in sleep. Woke up to another mini roller coaster, which I was glad ended on a high.

Ever heard of anyone sleeping through the weekend when there are far better things to do? You may be looking at one of them right now.

Well, at least I'm staring in the face the prospect of staying at home the whole weekend. What's the next best thing to do, other than sleep?

Familiarity

2008-11-03T21:52:00.002+08:00

Hmm...how should I put this? Ok, let me just say that it felt as though I just walked into the not-very-distant past. I kept seeing all the people I have never seen for a very long time, while not seeing all those I have always been seeing. Some remember me, some apparently don't. But I won't know, since I didn't really make any effort to remind them. Didn't even say hi, wave or anything whatsoever.

Time really takes away some memories and feelings, it seems. I used to get all uptight and flustered just feeling your presence in my surroundings, desperately trying to strike up a conversation with you.

That was years ago.

The last time we briefly met a few days ago, you waved at me. All I could do was weakly smile, wave back, and walk right past you, without feeling a trace of the emotions of old. I guess part of me has forgotten you already.

I walked into the past, only to realise I was not inside.

Stranger things have happened

2008-10-30T23:02:00.002+08:00

As my 10 MSN contacts would know, I have started running.

Why the sudden interest?

The answer: Simple! I'm getting fat fast!

Gotta at least do SOMETHING to get rid of some excess baggage. Since I have time after work nowadays, why not?

But I'm gonna have to start slowly. Asking a person who has never run more than 3km without his whole life to run 10km right off the bat is as good as murder.

2 days into it, and the only thing everything below my belly feels is OUCH.

That's not stopping me from running again after work tomorrow, though. But I may need to take it down a notch, to give my legs a little rest before my retest, which I DO NOT intend to fail.

Don't wish me luck. Just wait for a silver Renault Kangoo with rear windows to pop by.

Forgetting to remember

2008-10-27T02:12:00.004+08:00

Duty on Thursday, off on Friday, duty on Saturday. Pretty schedule, huh?

Well, that's all over. And here I am writing on Monday morning, as it is a public holiday which I am NOT on duty.

Duty days are uneventful and painfully boring, so let;s just skip those parts, and go straight into my off day.

As I was on duty the day before, the earliest I could leave was when everyone was here. It ended up I stayed for an extra half an hour, just to wait for someone to send his work over to me, so that I could finish my work. In the end, my 'boss' took over and asked me to leave, so, yeah.

First went to CDC to redo my PDL. If not, I won't be able to take my retest. Thought I saw a somewhat familiar face there, but I was only looking for half a second.

Sped straight down to TMC to find out about the stuff I need to find out, before I committed myself to the course they were offering. I can say that I am almost certainly going to take up the course once I regain my freedom. School, for me, starts as early as October next year.

One more year to my return to life as a free man, and a student! A year may seem to be a long time, but hey, the past year has gone before I knew it!

Onward to Sunday, then.

Left late because those bastards who were supposed to take over my duty were late. Went home, did the necessary stuff, and fell asleep for an hour, until Alton called me.

Watched Liverpool crush Chelsea's 4-year unbeaten home record. Admittedly, Chelsea were short of nearly half its regular first team, but Pool were effectively short of a third of the team, too. Why would I say this?

Let me explain my crazed logic:

Torres was out with an injury, which effectively meant they had ZERO strikers on the field at the start of the game. Before anyone says that Robbie Keane was their striker for the day, I have 2 things to point out. One is that Keane was mostly everywhere on the pitch OTHER than the opposition penalty area for much of the game. The other is a question to all who read this.

What is a striker's main job?

Easy. Score goals.

So we have one guy running around in front of the midfielders...who DOESN'T score. Striker? I don't think so.

But, well, a win is a win. I'm more than happy enough to see Chelsea lose.

Reached home in time to watch the second half of West Ham-Arsenal. van Persie was terrobly unlucky not to have scored with the crazy shots he was making. Adebayor was surprisingly useful, given that all he did in the past few matches was to go offside and miss every shot.

What a great EPL weekend! Everton drew ManUre, Rooney didn't get his 100th goal against his old club, Chelsea lost and Arsenal won!

But the not-so-good news is Spurs have finally won. But NOT under Juande Ramos. He got sacked before the game even started. Harry 'Houdini' Redknapp takes over, just in tie for him to do his magic, and save Spurs from their relegation dogfight. I hate their guts, but it would be very sad if they really went down.

Next week: North London derby. Please DON'T let me be on duty!

Decisions

2008-10-14T23:18:00.002+08:00

All right, I have made up my mind. I will be studying Mass Comm in TMC.

My route to a Mass Comm degree:

TMC Higher Diploma in Mass Communications, Full Time: About 1 year.

Push for as good grades as possible during this one year.

Apply for BA (Hons) Mass Communications, Liverpool John Moores University the moment I finish my Diploma, and push for as much advanced standing as possible. Best would be jumping straight to final year, which will be:

1 semester in Singapore, 3 modules: 14 weeks.

1 WHOLE semester in Liverpool John Moores University Summer School, in LIVERPOOL, UK: 14 weeks.

I can say that financially-wise, I don't have a problem anymore, as my parents are willing to support me through this course. I'll be trying to save up a little myself, so that I can at least survive on my own during my time in England.

I still have a lot to find out about this course. Shall go down to TMC personally on my off day.

So I guess it's time to read every word in the papers, and catch up on the current affairs.

With eleven more months still to come before my eventual freedom, I may be thinking about things that are still very far away, but it never hurts to plan early.

I'm already thinking of how I'm going to survive close to four months in England. Just imagine paying for everything in pounds!

But it's likely that Anfield (if it's still around) will be pretty empty while I'm there, as I most probably will be going in the summer, which is the EPL off-season.

OK, back to the real world. I'm on duty on Thursday, and I have a driving test to ace in less than 3 weeks.

I'm outta here.

New Love

2008-10-13T23:55:00.002+08:00

I have been hooked before. There was this period of time when nearly every song was good. Then some really rubbish ones came out, which detached me from the scene. Now I'm hooked again.

What is this that I am re-hooked to?

Anime music.

Yes, songs from anime series.

There seems to be a sudden new wave of pretty good anime songs. Or maybe I had been away from the anime scene for too long.

Some surprising finds:

There's this pretty famous singer in the anime scene. Her name is Mizuki Nana. She is also a Seiyuu, aka voice actor.

Here's a task for you:

Search for her songs, listen to them, remember her voice.

Then search for the Seiyuu for Hyuuga Hinata, one of the characters in Naruto.

Then be very, very surprised.

Talking about Naruto, I am re-watching the whole series, right from the first episode. And now I know why some cried watching the first few episodes, especially that Zabuza chapter. One of those musical pieces in the soundtrack, Sadness and Sorrow, is so beautiful, yet heart-wrenching, especially when paired with the scenes in which it was played. Even someone as emotionless as me was moved, though not to tears.

Maybe I'm starting to have a heart?

That, I don't know. But I do know that my evilness is starting to overflow again. My mind is suppressing it as much as it can.

All right, it's quite late already. Gotta work later.

Oh yes, one piece of good news for everybody: I won't learn any of those anime songs that I listen to, so you are spared from listening to me try to sing them.

Ready for torture?

2008-10-11T17:39:00.014+08:00

Ah crap, what great timing. My browser just had to hang when I was just about to finish writing.

Now I'm too lazy to start all over again. I'll just go straight into last weekend.

Went to the Motorshow on Saturday, which turned out to be a huge disappointment. Only Honda, Nissan and Subaru participated.

I must have been one of the most 'automated' guys around, as I happily opened many doors and bonnets myself just to snap pictures of what was behind or beneath them. And I left the bonnets half-closed, as I didn't actually know how to close them back, and couldn't be bothered to learn on the spot.

But people say there's light even in the darkest of places. For this Motorshow, this shining light was the Aston Martin DB9.

My photography skill does no justice to its beauty.

You'll have to see it for yourself. If not, there's Top Gear.

Rushed to town to meet up with the guys (and Wee Ping) for dinner. There wasn't much I could eat, from what I saw from the menu, so it was damage control. And I sure paid for quality. If I get a windfall, I surely wouldn't mind going again.

Next stop: Amanda's house for 'a Liverpool match'.

Now that I think of it, good thing I didn't read (or buy) the papers that day!

Failed to get spooked by The Ring on Channel 5 while waiting for everyone, and midnight, to come.

Killed time by flipping through Top Gear and taking pictures of nearly anything and everything.

Things like...

These.

Such an innocent-looking cup for such a sinful thing. Now guess what was inside.

As the clock struck 12...

HELLO Birthday Girl! Welcome to the Big Two-O Club!

And then...

It was war!

Here's how the cake looked like initially:

After the storm:

This remained.

Now...Ready for something pretty rare and hugely unbelievable?

Here it is!

Hey hey, take it easy now! Think of it as a good thing!

All right, I'm done. The length of this post is getting out of hand.

Shall try to update as much as possible as soon as possible.

Catch and miss

2008-09-29T22:10:00.001+08:00

Time for a quick update. Haven't been very free for a while.

OK, so I haven't written anything since failing my driving test. Here I go.

Was on duty on that Saturday after my driving test. Didn't have much to do, really, even though I left rather late, because of some shit that I couldn't really be bothered with. That decision would come back to haunt me later in the day.

Went for the Super Import Nights right after duty, and happily used up all 1GB of the space in my SD card. In FIVE hours. The only time I've ever taken more was during the overseas trip earlier this year.

Now, my opinion of Super Import Nights.

I would say half the exhibition hall was an Ah Beng heaven and my visual hell, while the other half was every male's heaven, especially petrol-heads and lechers.

I managed to spend my WHOLE day there. Amazing.

Then I was effectively forced to go back for work, which I decided not to do earlier in the day. By the I set things straight, it was already midnight. A painfully long week lay ahead of me.

Saturday finally came. I had wanted to get a haircut first thing in the morning, then fly to the Singapore Motorshow before meeting up with my primary school classmates. The whole plan went down in flames when the person before me took all of one hour to get her haircut done. The Singapore Motorshow shall be left to Friday, then, since I'm off for doing duty on a public holiday.

Watched 'Painted Skin'. Not bad, actually. One hell of a weird love story, but come on, this show came from 'Liao Zhai'.

Went for dinner, then to Sunplaza Park. Yes, I pangseh-ed everyone to go to Sunplaza Park to play swings, snap pictures of strangers so gay it was disgusting and swings going 90 degrees, chat and laugh like cows. Not that I have anything against cows, anyway, just couldn't think of any other word.

Guess I was slightly misunderstood again for being a little too nice to people. I volunteered to get Panadol one of the girls who was having a headache because of a vested interest. I was having a slight headache as well, and since I could move around slightly quicker, I was the best person to go down five storeys, grab some Panadol and go back up five storeys in the shortest time possible.

But I guess explaining just makes it worse sometimes.

Well anyway, I was on duty on Sunday, and what a way to start it: By reading Soccernet and seeing that Arsenal lost at home to Hull City. The day turned out to be rather peaceful, and I was effectively sleeping the whole day.

Went back to Tekong to effectively waste time, as I was there for an audit, but my team leader did not appear until 1pm when I was there for the good part of 3 hours. Fnished up my report, and my day was over.

Yesterday was effectively a half day, but there was nothing for me to do outside. So I watched the Diamond Dust Rebellion and played with my nephew, who has just started teething.

Going back for duty later. Gonna have to do some work before I start slacking like during all public holiday and weekend duties.

I think I shall either go bowling, then to the Motorshow on Friday, or just go to the Motorshow on Friday, then bowl next Tuesday, when I'm on leave. Hmm...Now that's a good headache to have!

Nerves

2008-09-17T18:36:00.002+08:00

It was within my reach, but it blew up in my face. Damn, how many times has it happened to me already? Every time I am confident of achieving something, something happens to me, and I don't achieve it.

Falling at the very last hurdle sucks to the core. Now I'll have to wait till November 7 for another stab at it.

To think I have been driving pretty well until the test itself just adds to the misery. Everything was going fine, until I got into the driver seat for the test. My feet started trembling, my heart started pounding, nearly everything that never happened before happened.

The result: Failing thrice in one sitting.

The more I think of it, the worse I feel. So I shall stop thinking and move on, and make the tester have no reason to lift his pen on November 7. I want my license by the end of the year, and I'll do everything to get it, though I may end up dirt poor at the end of it all.

I'm at home!

2008-09-07T00:50:00.002+08:00

What a crazy week it had been for me. It all started at the end of last month, when I was forced to work overnight for my HQ. On a Friday which I already worked overtime in, for goodness' sakes! Finished my work at 4am, and I was out to the COMEX at 10.30. Barely got to even close my eyes during those 6 hours-odd.

Bought a printer at the COMEX. Haven't really used it yet, but I sure looks good, and I think I bought the best among those in the same price range. I had asked them to show me demo prints from the printers I was looking for, and the one from this impressed me the most.

Got ripped off by the Epson counter (someone was selling the exact same at $10 cheaper elsewhere), but never mind.

It was quite a hassle to bring it with me everywhere, but I did manage to do just that. Walk through CityLink Mall, walk around Raffles City, get on a bus, go to 85 for supper, the lot. The trolley handle was a little too short for comfortable dragging. Kept hitting my heel, and every time it happened it threatened to topple over. Managed to prevent it, though, with experience from dragging bowling bags everywhere.

Wee Ping joined us after dinner. Walked around a little, got some coffee at Gloria Jean's, which I was glad to have ordered wrongly. I had wanted the iced mocha at first, but I ordered the hot one instead. It turned out to be a pretty piece of art, and a good warm cuppa. Just the right thing to perk up someone who hasn't really slept for 2 straight days.

Sunday was duty, which I spent totally on reading manga, from morning to night. As a result, I forgot to sleep. Ok, that was my own fault for not sleeping when I could.

Worked overtime again on Monday. Tuesday was spent doing overnight overtime at HQ again. Left on Wednesday, 7am, to wash up before going back there. Finished the stupid thing I was forced to do at 5pm, and I missed my physio as a result. It was even supposed to be an off day on Wednesday!

Thursday was duty again. At least my work was finished early enough for me to catch up on that little bit of sleep, but I forgot again. Ended up reading more manga.

Had next to nothing to do in the early parts of Friday, but had to rethink all the plans I initially had in place at night. We had organised some sort of cohesion that night, but I effectively worked through it, as some crazy and unexpected thing happened, and I had to deal with it quick.

But at least I got to sleep quite a bit that night, before waking up for my driving lesson. My instructor said that I need to brush up on the minor mistakes I was making, but I believe thses will fall in place with more practice, which I will have. I will be taking revision lessons almost every other day.

Went on a shooting spree just now, at Parkview Square, a place I only knew because it was used to play a casino in the Unbeatables III. I seriously didn't expect it to be such a grand place in the middle of the Bugis area. It seriously feels as though that part of Singapore is from another dimension. All the typical Singaporean sights weren't really there.

My pictures for that place turned out quite noisy, as I believe I was using a wrong setting. So, I'm not posting any of them here.

Headed off to Bedok Jetty to shoot the sunset. This time, my settings were pretty much correct. Some of those pictures turned out quite well, in my opinion. But I'm still not posting any of them. Look at Alex's if you want. His were shot with the Canon EOS 450D he bought at the COMEX.

Went on a thankless mission in search for food. Wanted to go to ThaiPan at first, but what we got when we reached there was a notice pasted on its door. It was CLOSED. For renovation. So we were headed back to where we came from: East Coast Park, for the Waraku.

First contact with Unagi: Hmm, nice stuff. I had been missing out on such good stuff for so long.

Then, here I am! I'm done!

Time for bed.

I'm pretty free next week, and the week after, due to courses, both Army and personal.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

Aloha

2008-08-24T22:05:00.003+08:00

Time for another update!

One could say that this weekend hasn't been very good to me, as quite a bit happened during the 3 short days which I THOUGHT I could get away from work.

I did say in my last post that I went to the fireworks display alone on Friday, but I forgot to mention that there was NOBODY sitting on my immediate right side, too. So, one could say that I was SERIOUSLY left quite alone at the right hand corner of the Floating Platform.

An even sadder thing was that I was still working, even at the end of the fireworks display, when I was already supposed to be a 'temporary civilian'.

Man, seriously, this job doesn't really leave me with a lot of freedom, even when I'm not in the office.

Now to Saturday. I mean, the part AFTER my last post.

Went to Amanda's (I shall use the real name for once, before I forget it altogether) house to watch Liverpool-Boro, which, by the time everyone reached, a half had already gone. I was actually A LOT earlier, but I thought it would have been a little awkward to be going to another's house ALONE.

Gerrard and Carragher saved Pool from embarrassment, but Arsenal had no such luck, and didn't deserve any in the first place.. Now here's an Arsenal fan who concedes Fulham were seriously the better team. They conceded a cheap goal, and couldn't find a way back into the game, even with much greater possession.

We were eating during the match, by the way. Gave Simpang's delivery service a shot, even though it sort of turned out to be below expectations. Most of the stuff that came weren't exactly what was ordered, which I think could be a problem with my phone. It seems to be dying of old age, as I think nobody can really hear what I'm saying through my mouthpiece. Can't hear very clearly either.

I think it's time I got a new NS phone.

Talking about talking, is my voice seriously so nasal? Because seriously, I'm not even resonating through my nose!

Well anyway, back to Saturday. I did mention that the weekend hasn't very really kind to me a little earlier. Let me elaborate.

The first couple of things had something to do with canines and extreme carelessness.

I was going to the kitchen to get some drinks or something, I can't remember. Wasn't really looking where I was going, and I stepped into a puddle strangely in the middle of the dining area. I was like 'what in the world did I just step on?', and went straight for the toilet.

Now guess what I stepped on.

Yes, Nico's (Amanda's pet dog) pee.

Then we were about to go home. I was putting on my socks, when I thought it felt strangely damp. Then I remembered. I left my shoes (with my socks inside) on the floor.

I only have my own carelessness to blame.

Moving on to Sunday:

I actually forgot how to park! I mixed up the parallel and reverse parking procedures! But I was able to get back on the right track after a while.

Then I was working on my way back home, and for a large part of the afternoon.

Oh, and I've started to use Facebook, since just about everyone is. Got myself slightly hooked to the bowling game, which I'm currently trying to learn to do the Big Wheel in. High score's a measly 189. Challenge me anytime.

The Olympics Closing Ceremony ended just over an hour ago, and it's back to work a few hours later. There's so much to do, and I don't have a lot of time before I have to complete them. I'm going to be a very busy person, starting latest by next month.

So let's meet up more frequently, my friends. If not, I may just end up going crazy, even before I go into my second year.

Fireworks display

2008-08-23T17:49:00.002+08:00

Before anyone laughs at me, yes, I went to the Fireworks Display alone yesterday. Guess what happened to me? My Energiser Lithiums (the longest-lasting battery I've ever used) died on me when I was already seated at the Floating Platform. Had to go out to get a new pack of batteries, which I thought caused me to be late for the fireworks. Turns out, the real thing only started a while before 10pm, so I was running everywhere for nothing. I could have walked in, taken a short nap, and it wouldn't have started yet.

Maybe it's because I didn't see the fireworks for the Olympics Opening Ceremony, as I thought the ones yesterday were pretty good. The music added meaning to the rhythm at which they were fired. I've taped 13 of the 15 minutes. The quality isn't very good, but my LZ7 is no video-cam. The audio is a little soft, by the way.

I guess nobody will want to see a 900mb YouTube-quality video, but if anyone does want to see what I shot, you will need to crank up the volume a little, and remember to turn in back down afterwards, before someone's ears start bleeding or the folks think they're getting bombed by terrorists or something.

OK, not funny!

Man, how I wished I had either a DSLR or a good video-cam. The money spent on those are meant for this kind of thing. But even the EOS 1000D is upwards of one grand, and I don't even have one grand!

Anyway, driving an auto car feels like playing a driving simulator game. Jam the accelerator, kick the brakes, turn the wheel. No clutch, no gear shifting, no fun.

Actually, I was pretty much half-asleep while I was driving earlier. Thank heavens nothing happened to me or to anybody!

Done. I'm outta here. Heaven knows what is in store for me later, on this cold and wet Saturday evening.

OK...

2008-08-21T22:41:00.002+08:00

I've failed to give away any of the 2 tickets I am currently still holding on to. Now I'm staring in the face the scenario in which I bring 2 tickets to the Marina Floating Platform, and only one loses its stub. Since that would be an ultimately sad thing to happen in a life already pretty damn sad enough, I'm ridding myself of those tickets, in whichever way possible.

So, anyone interested? Let's watch the fireworks display somewhere else, where more than 2 people can watch it together.

Do call me, or drop me a message, if anyone's interested, with or without tickets.

All right

2008-08-20T15:33:00.002+08:00

Ok, I've got 2 tickets to the Fireworks Celebrations on Friday, seating at 5.30pm, starting at 8.30pm. It's at the Marina Bay Floating Platform. You know, where the NDP was held. Got them from one of my bosses, for free. But sadly, I've only 2. Since I don't have anyone to go with, and going alone will be utterly embarrassing, I'm giving them BOTH away. So if anyone wants to go with anyone, please come get the tickets from me.

It may not be as splendid as the Olympics Opening, but you don't miss anything when you're right in front of it.

There you go. Come get those tickets from me. And don't just take one, thank you very much.

Always

2008-08-09T16:29:00.002+08:00

Shit always happens on my duty days. At least I got to leave on time.

HOWEVER...

Here I am, writing. And I'm only writing because I've seriously nothing else to do. I just lost my unbeaten record in FM08, so I'm not in the mood to continue. No songs that I want to learn.

NDP08 is an hour away. On a Saturday. And I don't get to claim any off, as I have to go to HQ on Monday, then restart my workweek back at Bedok, where a lot of things are going to happen. How it is possible for me to walk out of it unscathed, I don't know. Even though none of what will possibly happen is caused by me.

How bored can I get. I'm just trying to make this post as long as possible, just to keep my fingers busy and kill time. There's nothing on TV. The Olympics coverage on all those channels don't interest me a single bit, ESPN's showing golf, of all things. Nothing. Nothing at all that I can occupy myself with.

I think I'll just play Spider Solitaire for an hour or something. Yawn...

The number 8

2008-08-07T20:47:00.002+08:00

I'm on duty on the day with the most number of 8's in the year, and what does that mean?

It means, I'll miss the Olympics Opening Ceremony at 8pm tomorrow! Damn, I want to watch it! I saw the illegal one-minute footage of it on TV, which was AWESOME. But I can't watch the whole thing!

Please, I beg of anyone who actually reads this, can you record the Opening Ceremony for me?

Well at least I'm not on duty on National Day. Shall we go somewhere to see the fireworks? I'll be happy enough to just be hanging around outside, too.

Do call me for anything and everything this weekend.

Thank you.

See ya when I see ya.

Adrenaline

2008-08-02T16:19:00.002+08:00

What a Friday. Had to give away my first time, for an utterly stupid thing. Had to go to some stupid course right after duty, and there wasn't anyone who could send me there, other than the other guy who was going, who was riding a BIKE.

Call me a wuss or anything, but I was SERIOUSLY scared. I'm not riding pillion again. NEVER.

Turns out the course was only an hour long. All that, just to go there for one hour, then get the hell outta there. But at least I was effectively given free half-day off, since I was told to go home from there.

Met up with the guys (and one WeePong) for dinner at Astons. Was late, but never mind. Went to play CS right after. Surprised myself with the amount of kills I made, though I admit quite a few came from a certain WeePong.

Supper, then home.

Driving lesson! Surprisingly, I cleared parallel parking in one lessons, and after just 5 tries. But now, I wonder how I'm going to park WITHOUT the poles.

Damn bored. Nothing to do. Searching for songs and games, just to kill time.

Sleepy, but can't fall asleep. Damn.

So long. FOR NOW.

Online but AFK

2008-07-30T22:10:00.002+08:00

Not turning off my comp, even though I'm on duty tomorrow. It would take days for me comp to finish what it's doing, and turning it off would just make it take even longer than it already is taking.

Weekday duty=never-ending work. I can only hope and pray that I have time to read Top Gear, which I just bought.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you even read this damn thing, let's go sing on Saturday. Shall we try out that one in Katong?

I'm done here. Short, simple, and to the point. So rare, this actually is, so I'm ending it the same way I ended my last short posts.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

No need for a title

2008-07-28T22:05:00.002+08:00

Ok, my last post was last Thursday. So what happened to me in the few days I didn't blog? Nobody would bother to know, I know, but I'll just write.

Met up with the guys for supper on Friday night. Spent the whole night just catching up, then I had to go back for duty. 24 hours spent sleeping and watching movies. Not so bad a deal after all, even though getting weekends burnt is NEVER a good thing.

My brain sort of died. Couldn't think of anything to write. There was absolutely nothing I could draw any inspiration from.

Went back home late Sunday morning. Why? The guy on duty on Sunday told me he didn't know he was on duty, and I had to wait for him to reach camp before I could leave.

Wanted to sleep at first, but somehow I couldn't. Halfway watching TV, got called out to play basketball, and I went. Got owned bigtime. All of them, other than me, were good. Everyone there was at least one move faster than me.

Surprisingly, I'm not hurting a lot after all that moving around. Only slightly twisted my back, and my shoulder feels slightly stiff. I was expecting paralysis.

Played a 9-hour game of 'chase' today. But if I don't chase them, I can't help them. It's a 'help me to help you' thing, this job.

Let's go sing this Saturday! Katong, Chinatown, anywhere! My voice sounds ever the trashier, and my throat wants to empty the trash.

All right, I'm outta here.

All the stupid things

2008-07-24T22:37:00.002+08:00

Bored people do utterly stupid stuff, it seems, as I've been doing some of those for the past week. Went for 2 stupid courses in the space of 2 days, one of them doesn't end until tomorrow. My biggest consolation, though, is I can run away from that stressful job of mine, and sort of turn my brain off. The best part is, according to one of the courses I've attended, most parts of my current job in the office is going to be outsourced to my HQ once the new system is in place.

Left Sembawang at 2.30pm. Woohoo! But this caused me to do one pretty stupid thing.

What?

I bought an original game disc for The Italian Job, which turned out to be SUPER difficult. And I was only as the Easy level! I was looking for something I could turn my brain off and still play pretty good in, but I ended up getting this instead. I really should have just spent $6 more on Crashday, which sounds much more mindless than The Italian Job. But then, no use crying over spilled milk. I'll just try to master it when I have the time.

Went for another course this past day. Turns out I was the most well-prepared for the course, as I was the only one who brought all the documents needed. Boring stuff, which, surprisingly, I didn't fall asleep to. Continues tomorrow, but the best thing about it is, it's nearer to my house than Bedok, and it only starts at 9. I can wake up at 7, leave house at 8, and still be early!

Woohoo!

But sadly, I'm on duty on Saturday, AGAIN. Oh well, all this crap will be gone after National Day, and we will have more trained duty personnel by mid-August. I can't do duties on 2 weekends anyway. Driving lessons. I'm lagging behind already.

Oh yes, a couple more stupid things I just a few hours ago. I reached home after my course today, forgetting that I hadn't drank a single drop of water the whole day. Went for a short run, during half of which my head felt like it was going to explode.

But I surprised myself quite a little out there. I could actually run a little more than one kilometre at quite a reasonable speed, without stopping. That was about, what, 3 months, since I last ran for real? If I were to have dropped my pace, and drank some water, I could have covered twice the distance. But then, it COULD have, so, didn't happen.

My legs now ache like hell, though.

The last stupid thing I did: Cook dinner for myself. Ok, the act itself sounds perfectly fine, but the manner in which I carried it out WASN'T. I did succeed in what I was trying to create, but I made a total mess of everything I used to create it. The wok was charred, utensils stacked in the wash basin, the lot. Took me a lot of effort to clean up the mess after dinner.

All right, I'm done. Shall update again when I have the time.

Let's meet up someday soon, shall we?

Slightly less depressed

2008-07-21T22:51:00.003+08:00

All's not really right yet, but at least my mental state's a little better now, compared to a few days before. My nephew's smile helps me forget most of those heavy thoughts. Just looking at him lightens up my day, at least by a little.

The only downside is, because of all the high-pitched baby-talk I've been doing, I've been messing up my voice. It's never been good, but I can feel it getting worse. Can't really sing to myself like I used to.

Let's meet up someday we're all free, guys, it's been a little while since we last did.

Happy? What's that?

2008-07-20T00:31:00.002+08:00

I'm starting to forget how true happiness feels like. Everyday, I'm dragging myself to work, doing something I now sort of regret having agreed to do. A careless and indecisive guy like me should not have agreed to do something which requires meticulous planning, coordination and decision-making. The egotist in me thought that I would be able to do this job, but it is proving too difficult for me. I wish to be taken off this job, but there's only one other person who can do what I'm doing, and he has enough on his hands already. I cannot be so selfish as to throw everything to him, and just walk away from it like that.

Another way is to grit my teeth and carry on, but I'm already barely hanging on. I go home everyday feeling as though my brain got fried. Even college wasn't this bad.

What should I do?

I'm barely able to smile, even when I'm playing with my cousin. Nothing I do now can relieve me of all those unpleasant feelings. I guess I need someone to talk to, but I haven't been able to really talk to anyone yet.

I think I've forgotten how to smile, and how it feels like to be happy, from the bottom of my heart.

Dark, gloomy clouds in the sky. Will there be a silver lining? Or will it be lead?

The fire dies...for now

2008-07-18T22:19:00.003+08:00

Finally, a weekend that ISN'T burnt.

Shall we go hang out or chill somewhere?

Call me, if anything. Anything, and everything.

It's been a while

2008-07-13T10:56:00.002+08:00

Finally got to meet up with everyone on Friday night, after such a long time spent alone at home. Went to 85 for supper, which was effectively my dinner, as I worked overtime. Just kept talking and talking, quite a bit of catching up we were doing. Then I had to go back for duty on Saturday. A movie marathon later, and here I am. I'm a little bored, but a little tired at the same time.

All right, I'm done with my updates. Short, simple, and to the point.

I'll see ya when I see ya.

I bitch, too.

2008-07-09T22:06:00.003+08:00

Just got to listen to the new National Day song. The Mandarin version, that is. Joi Chua's voice is still as beautiful as ever, and lyrics by Xiao Han, one of the best Singaporean lyricists of this era. Not as obviously nationalistic as the songs from previous years, but somehow manages to capture the feel of it.

The whole song, however, is not totally to my liking. In my own crazed opinion, I find that past songs were done with higher quality. I don't know who did the melody and background arrangement, but people have done better in the past. Ok, National Day songs are supposed to be upbeat, but I feel the upbeat parts of the song came in too suddenly.

Not that I can do anything like that, though. I would never be able to write a lyric this discreetly nationalistic, neither would I ever be able to create any sort of melody complete enough to even be called a song, but this is my opinion, having listened to LOADS of Mandarin songs.

The English version is FAR more nationalistic, and the background arrangement is a little better. But precisely because of its nationalism, I don't like it either.

I'm done.

I just realised I made a huge mistake in my work earlier. I hope my decision has salvaged the situation somehow.

Bracing my ears for impact, again. This time, I fear it is for real.

Good luck to me, when I return from my physio in the morning.