Cyclones and Lightning

A Small Achievement

2009-12-14T12:30:03Z

Heh, my photo got picked for some travel guide.
Cool =)
Its this photo ---------->

Nope, no money earned leh...

You've been sent a Flickr Mail from Emma J. Williams:

------------------------------------------------------------

:: Schmap London Ninth Edition: Photo Inclusion

Hi cyclone76,

I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo
has been selected for inclusion in the newly released ninth
edition of our Schmap London Guide:

St. Paul's Cathedral
http://www.schmap.com/london/introduction_history/p=583/i=583_178.jpg

If you use an iPhone or iPod touch, then this same link
will take you directly to your photo in the iPhone version
of our guide. On a desktop computer, you can still see
exactly how your photo is displayed and credited in the
iPhone version of our guide at:

St. Paul's Cathedral
http://www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=london&sid=introduction_history&p=583&i=583_178

Thanks so much for letting us include your photo - please
enjoy the guide!

Best regards,

Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

Melbourne Trip

2009-12-09T13:56:32Z

Photos are up. Not much of course, as usual.
Catch them here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclone76/sets/72157622966779748/

Drama teachers in Australia were really sensitive to the environment, citizenship and social issues. We have a lot to learn from others.

Such are Singaporeans

2009-12-09T07:23:57Z

Auntie in Kopitiam damn fucking rude today.
I ordered kopi-o-kosong and tea ice.
She only hear one item and charged me 70cents.
"Auntie, teh ice also"
"But you said kopi-o-kosong what..."
"Yes, i also want TEA ICE"
Fwah... then got glaring contest.
Bitch...

Take cab to clinic.
Ask cab uncle to turn into single lane road.
Its the super intestine-narrow type single lanes with parallel parking on one side.
Cab drive honked at this joker blocking the road.
Bugger got out of the car and insisted he had the right to wait.
Fucking no remorse at all.

See lah... Gracious society...
My blooming fat ass more gracious.

++++++++++

Finally succumbed to the combined viral/bacterial strength of colleague and friend.
Down with bloody flu.

Bonding

2009-12-03T02:06:10Z

Program on radio today.
Mr X talks about how he used to be managing 24 companies.
And a heart attack one night reduced the capacity of his heart function by 40%
He should not have lived, but he did.
And now he spends his time volunteering at old folks home.
On the program he also philosophise about how material wealth is actually immaterial.
And why we should cherish our health and family relationships as well.

This entry is not about that man.
This entry is about the two other men listening to this program.

Me and my dad.
Both sliming the man in the program.
Easy for him to talk about volunteerism and health and all that shit.
His probably loaded with money now and can afford to retire and do all this oh--i-am-so-noble volunteering shit.
If he were an odd job labourer with kidney failure and needs financial assistance to get his dialysis treatment, he wouldn't be able to be so noble.
And in the first place, he crippled his own heart by working himself under the table.
Now he probably has loads of money to do whatever la-di-da he wants anyway.
Its a poor example of volunteerism, me thinks.
And so does dad.

Two men, agreeing.
Father and son, sliming.
Both equally cynical.
Don't you just love father and son bonding?

Back from Melbourne

2009-11-29T16:24:27Z

I'm back. Wasn't a great trip, but it was a work trip after all.
But a lethal combi of rain and early shop-close hours sort of rendered me rather helpless after 5pm each day
I took a grand total of 21 photos. Heh heh heh...

Anyway I need sleep now.
But I must really whine about parents who bring young children on the plane.
Sure they have their reasons, but the crying and screaming, oh my gawd...
And so many things can get these crying machines started;
air pressure diff, turbulence, woken from sleep, engine buzz...
I swear I could uv hurled one out of the plane this evening.

You can hear me, but are you really listening?

2009-11-24T15:32:22Z

Sometimes we don't listen hard enough.
It is very easy to get distracted by the traffic noise, people chattering and the late night mortocyclist (who is REALLY irritating).
But if we pay attention, you can actually hear the soft but insistent song of the cricket, the rhythmic tapping of ropes against the flagpole in the wind, the rustle of leaves dancing...

To be able to wake up to the rustle of bamboo leaves, priceless.
I thank my dad for taking care of the plant such that it is flourishing.
Just 3 days with me, the poor chap turned brown and scrawny.
I very nearly killed him. =(

Microfiction

2009-10-30T06:03:20Z

And so the suaku me always thought they were all known as short-stories.
Apparently my short story is way too short, and they are known as M-I-C-R-O-F-I-C-T-I-O-N
We all learn something new each day.
And of course, its no surprise that i got nothing at the Golden Point, which is fine.
Can always try again next time.
I lose nothing, except some registration fee =)

Anyways... here's another microfic, NOT a short story.
This came up when i was at a drama workshop yesterday.

Annabelle looked at the old tree. Its branches all gnarled and claw-like.
Each sturdy looking branch had a conspicuous white ribbon tied to it.
Each ribbon signified another person who chose this tree to be where they did their deed.
Annabelle had no idea why the old tree seemed so appealing,
but right at this moment, she found it as exciting and as seductive.

Just a short length of rope and a little white ribbon.
Nothing too elaborate.
They said that your rope would come undone if you didn't tie the white ribbon first.
Nobody had ever suceeded without a white ribbon.
They also said that the white ribbon is eternal.
It can never be removed.
Like rows of stone slabs in a cemetary, the tree was covered with white ribbons.
Each grim reminder sparkling like a budding flower.

As the wind caressed the leaves tenderly, the old tree beckoned to the hesitating girl.
The gnarled branches opened up to her, welcoming her into their embrace.
Annabelle walked around the tree, surveying for an empty branch.
And she finally found one.

A lone branch high above the rest.
It looked flimsy.
But who knows how strong she is?
Won't know till she's been tested.
It looked out of reach.
Annabelle wasn't confident she could climb all the way up.
But she was determined to try.

Annabelle stretched out her arms, grabbed the lowest branch and hoisted herself up.
The unforgiving raw texture of the tree bark scratched her bare feet ad hands.
Sunlight that escaped the leaves stung her eyes.
Foliage whipped against her bare skin.
It was not an easy climb, filled with pain, blood and sweat.

"Hello, i'm here. Sorry you had to wait so long."
Foliage on the lone branch waved at Annabelle.
"Well, here i am. You ready?"

Annabelle drew out the white ribbon from her pocket.
Her bloodied fingers left a bright crimson stain on the velvety strip of cloth.
Annabelle stared at the stained piece of white ribbon.
She felt the raw senses of her cuts, her bleeding fingers, the smell of perspiration mixed with blood...
The she looked up at the branch again.
"Thank you so much."

www.soulmatessearch.com (7)

2009-10-22T07:47:48Z

Dear Girl-Lost-In-The-Wind,

You have 2 responses to your recent post.
Who knows, one of them might just be your SOULMATE?

Your friendly admin,
soulmatessearchER

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2009 January 11 0335hrs

Hello,

Its me, Boy in Winter again.
Did we end up at the same river tonight?
But i was certainly not with the same friend.
My river friend was much more cheerful, laughing and rolling happily along as she strolled beside all those lovely couples by her.

I hope you don't feel that i am too intrusive.
Why do you not love Life?
Do you love yourself?

Boy In Winter

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2009 January 11 1555hrs

Girl, what is wrong with you?
Your "oh i am so lonely" posts makes us women sound really pathetic.!
For goodness sake pick yourself up and stop whining!

Athena the Goddess

www.soulmatessearch.com (6)

2009-10-22T07:32:27Z

[I had very nearly abandoned this story. But i really think i should continue it somehow. If you are reading this and need a refresher, the story starts here http://cyclone76.livejournal.com/tag/soulmates ]

2009 January 11 0001

What happens to the lonely heart that dies in Winter,
never waking up again to see the sun of Spring?
Like the little matchgirl who finally fell asleep under a blanket of snow.
Even the chill of snow cannot awake the senses any longer.

I met my river friend tonight.
Despite many couples walking by beside her, she felt as lonely as me.
How do we fill a void when it has no physical form?

All this probably makes me sound like a loser.
How did you spend your weekend night?

Girl-Lost-In-The-Wind

Going Home

2009-10-07T11:00:39Z

At the airport, wasting time while waiting for the flight.
Been a great holiday.
Too short though. (Heh...)

Paris had great sights.
But Paris had horrendous snooty people who looked like you owe them a living when you don't speak French.
So i didn't really enjoy Paris that much.
Well, not that little either...

London feels like home.
Things are so expensive though.
Woman in Black was really spine-chilling.
Drama in Singapore has a long way to go.
Billy Elliot was great too.
Why don't they bring such musicals into Singapore?

Ok, my £1 worth of time almost up.
See you guys!

Paris over to London

2009-10-02T12:54:38Z

I'm done with baguettes. Enough eating all those mouth/gums lacerating bread.
Now i am at the airport. Next on the menu is Fish & Chips with newspaper.

Went to the Moulin Rouge last night and saw as much breasts as 80 Euros would allow me too,
all in their full, naked and jiggling glory.

See you guys =)

Quick Update

2009-09-28T10:59:55Z

Just a quick one here.
The English countryside does not disappoint.
Its as beautiful as 5 years ago.

Now onward to Paris and the London city later on.

Have fun to myself. =)

Living in a little sleepy town that does not sleep

2009-09-23T16:12:18Z

Its amazing how such a small little Buangkok town, with such a small catchment and threshold population, the shops all close so late.
Food court closes at 3am, hardware store at 1am, and the NTUC doesn't bloody sleep.

The point of this little non-story is that my travel adaptor went MIA after the house move.
And i went down to that nocturnal little NTUC to pleasantly find out that the hardware store was still open too.
And that's where i got my nifty gadget.

So there, a travel adaptor to go travelling with.
See you guys after 8th October.

Winter in Singapore

2009-09-23T15:33:28Z

The tree displayed the most amazing white flowers one day.
In the morning they were all in full bloom.
By the evening, the flowers carpeted the grass around the tree.
It was a small piece of white wonderland in Singapore.
Pretty =)

Alternative Uses for Gym Equipment

2009-09-17T03:30:05Z

On a lighter note, i saw the most "uncle" thing to do in the gym.
Since the gym at home isn't well patrolled, many people bring in kids, wives, mother-in-laws (etc) and all complete in a myriad of attire including crocs, slippers, sandals, PJs, skimpy ___ (whatever you want to insert).

The one that takes the cake was this uncle yesterday. He sat himself on the sit-up bench, leaned on the frame that was meant for leg support, put his legs on the cushion part meant for upper body and head, and just sat there, looking at the pool. I thought a copy of newspapers in his hands would have completed the entire picture of pure and ultimate uncle-ness.

Wish i took a picture.

Technology-related Work Stress

2009-09-17T03:24:29Z

Every (fucking) morning the laptop receives updates through the (fucking) intranet.
At exactly 10.(fucking)30am, you hear the laborous churning of the hard drive.
And that means the (fucking) machine stops its normal functionality.
Every (fucking) click takes the (fucking) laptop (fucking) half a minute to (fucking) respond.

Like that how to work? You tell me lor...

K, i just needed to (fucking) vent.
I'm going back to my document.

The Purist's View

2009-09-04T05:36:53Z

What constitutes to being a "Musician"?
Is the street busker, the village bard or the punk guitarist any less of a musician?
So who says you must have your licentiate or your theory grade 8 to be a full-fledged musician?

And so what constitutes a "proper" performance?
Is the school hall performance, a bard singing to the folk in the village square, or a jamming session in the studio any less of one too?
Must there always be a raised platform for the performers and a seating gallering for paying audience before the performance becomes proper?

And here i see the flaw in my thinking where fusion performances involving dance and music is of lesser status.
Confetti does not cheapen the performance (although it is still damn cheesy).
Badly arranged fusion arrangements are not a bad thing.
The purist view i have doesn't hold true.
Come on... let go and move on.

And this is response to a question posed to me a few nights ago...
"When it changes so much, will you still recognise it as fantasy?"
So my question is "When does fantasy stop being fantasy?"
Isn't it all in our imaginations?

Photo updates

2009-08-25T13:05:54Z

So i finally finished packing.
Don't ask how i did it, i just did.
The mess was quite horrendous.
Facing a nearly-full shelf, i still had THIS much to pack.

Anyway, i shoved them somewhere lah. Don't care.

And one of the final additions to the living room is my Lego chess.
Finally can put them out in full glory after having kept them in the boxes for over a year.

Good VS Evil.
Dwarves and Humans VS Skeles and Orcs.
Actually the Good side looks a bit boring.

Over at the office, 3 Rav4s were spotted.
Its hard to parallel parking between the two before me.
And when the trinity was complete, it was equally difficult to resist taking a picture.

2 weeks ago, we had Prof Sun Wen Yan over for a little chit-chat with the instructors.
She also gave a concert during the weekend.
Good stuff man.
Even with less control over the facility of her hand,
when she plays, she really plays.
And her daughter is a real pro too.

Then last week we were once again "volunteered" to some appreciation dinner event.
And for the "volunteering", the folks in the office had to form a handbells team.
Grand total hours of rehearsals was 4. I think we did pretty ok =)

And the most recent pic of me and my most beloved "daughter".
18 months liao. But pretty like 18 years old right?
Heh heh heh...

Ultimate Cannot-sleep

2009-08-24T18:48:07Z

Cannot sleep again!
Don't know why leh...

Anyways, the boxes have been shifted over to new place.
Finally started opening them up after about two years of cold storage.
Found lots (and i mean a lot alot) of my CDs and stuff. Some still in their plastic wrappings.
With 3 boxes still unopened, and probably loads more CDs in them, my CD rack is already FULL.

The games shelf combines boardgames and miniatures games.
Actually, rather FULL liao also.
Probably will have some stray games hidden in the boxes.

The displays for Stikfas, figurines and transformers also FULL.
Lego Chess goes to the living room.
Still have stragglers in the unopened boxes.

Overhead shelves and below-bed storage for the novels...
You've guessed it too. FULL.
And of course, some more lurks in the...
Yes, unopened boxes.

WTF!
Then how i buy more toys, games, books and CDs?

More decor =)

2009-08-11T15:33:54Z

Got more my "toys" from the old place.
Yah yah, we WILL move everything else over really soon.
But for now, i will just celebrate my little collection and yes(!), display them proudly.

Before that, some new additions to the living room and the balcony.

More plants! And my bamboo plant is here too =)

Fuzzy Jesus (furry and mao-mao) placed beside the picture of Chairman MAO. Hehehe

And now, for the new additons in me room.
First,

Wooden Tokyo City set from Muji

Dragon / Brickbear / Daredevil / Fantastic Four / Soundwave / (Me) Grimlock

Whole set from the Cyborg 009 Series. 6 figures, but all 9 are in there.

Simpsons family with Itchy & Scratchy (We come in peace, for cats and mice, everwhere.)

Fantastic Four, with a very grumpy looking Super-skrull

And the pride and joy, with my city skyline decal as background, my Stikfas collection =)

Walk Down Memory Lane

2009-08-08T02:43:04Z

Its been a really nostalgic week.
On two occassions i got to meet my ex-students.
My Chem teacher said before, 'Teaching is a job of conscience'. And many many old birds have also mentioned 'The rewarding part of the career sometimes takes a long time to realise.'
So its nice to see how I have inspired them, even though the "reaction" from my "actions" takes 4/5 years to observe.

In NUS, i bumped into XH. She's studying Geography now.
22 years now, means i taught her 7 years ago in Sec 3.
Outspoken, rebellious and generally a very strong mind of her own, I am really glad that she enjoyed my lessons.
I will remember her for the really complimenting statements she paid me
"You know, i am still using the diagrams you taught us because my A-level Geog lecturer now draws sucky diagrams"
And the "That's my geog teacher in secondary school" whispered to her current NUS coursemates gave me a burst of pride as i walked down the corridor. =)

Last night at the farewell/reunion, Vincent paid a tribute to many of his friends.
And i am glad that the boy is so sensitive to all his friends.
Throughout these years, he keeps me as his mentor and i am heartened that he is grateful for whatever advice (be it crap and nonsense or not) that i can dish out to him.
I once read somewhere "For our children, we have to give them Roots to grow and also give them Wings to expand."
I am glad to be able to have done that. I just hope that its sufficient for his journey ahead.
Coming friday he flies to California for his Film-Making course. All the best man!

New House Thoughts

2009-08-02T16:53:45Z

Sort of settled in.
The rooms are all done and nicely furnished.
Now for the biggest obstacle... the junk still left at the old place...
Yup, all together now... GROAN....
I hate moving house.

The place is directly beside the MRT station.
So at least no more senseless waiting for the feeder service that never arrives.
Food sold until 3am, means more senseless late-night binging.
NTUC that's 24 hours. Means more senseless late-night shopping for the folks.
Nice small ulu place that has a sort-of kampong feel to it.
The 'centre' stretches about a hundred metres, from one coffeeshop 1 to another coffeeshop 2.
2 bakeries, 1 medicinal shop, 1 optometrist, 1 singtel shop, 1 hardware and sundry store.

Downside to the place, noisy as hell.
And i don't mean new-tenants-moving-in-sure-got-construction noise.
I mean the i-stay-beside-the-bloody-traffic-junction-and-noise-bloody-travels-up kind of noise.
Food sold until 3am, means more senseless late-night binging.
Small ulu place that has a sort-of kampong feel to it.
The 'centre' stretches about a hundred metres, from one coffeeshop 1 to another coffeeshop 2 only.

All in all, i love this place.
Come visit me soon =)

Nearly die...

2009-07-26T14:23:25Z

See lah... Me and my stinking bad-luck mouth.
Talk about dying, and the next thing i knew, i was lying in bed for an entire week.
Cough, fever, body aches, cough some more. Groan....
In the end, i spent my first week at the new place doing entirely nothing.
God bless History Channel and Cartoon Network.

I was SUPPOSED to be doing house-moving.
In the end i was just lying on my fat ass thoughout the week, trying not to die.
I only managed to do some cute-sy stuff to my walls with some sticker decals.
That was enough to take most of the wind out of me.


And when i finally was quite sure my next meal would not be my last, i got a friend over to help me with my most precious =)
One afternoon was all it took. The sheer amount shocked the friend-helper and i got reminded of how much i've acquired over a short span of 4 years.


And the final result is satisfactory.

So here's a shout-out to the usual gang:

"HEY GUYS! WE'RE BACK IN BUSINESS!"

Post-17 July

2009-07-19T16:25:54Z

And i am still alive! The commitments ended with a good bang of 4 emotionally charged chinese plays.
Thanks to the sub-committee members who made it happen.

Officially slept the 'First Night' at my new place. The place is no longer a virgin.
The mattresses, tvs, sound systems and other stuff arrived.

Yes, that's a national flag you see there on the balcony.
Totally not my idea.
And... i'm embarrassed to say that there is only ONE flag from that ENTIRE block of apartments!

Not as quiet as i would have liked it to be. But the road junction downstairs makes a nice pic at night.
And the neighbourhood centre nearby is good, since i don't have to walk too far for food.

Now i can spend some time on the more frivolous stuff around the house.
Like, me games, me toys, and me stickers for the walls =)

You can hear me, but are you listening to me?

2009-07-14T02:25:31Z

For the person who hears the problem:

An unwarranted advice is considered a nag.
Not everybody wants your advice when they grouse.
This is something i always forget.
I damn kaypoh.

Sometimes we just need to vent.
Sometimes we just need someone to acknowledge that we have similar worries and problems.
Sometimes, we just do not want to be told that we are weak.
Sometimes i should not bother with the advice.

It is indeed hard to withold judgement in a conversation or discussion.
Am i really listening to my friend?
Is he asking for advice, or is he not?

For the person who speaks of the problem:

An advice given is meant to help.
It can be taken as a different viewpoint.
It can be ignored as unwarranted nagging.
But from a close friend, the intention should never be in doubt.

Sometimes we really want to help, but we can't.
Sometimes we get frustrated because you trapped yourself in the cycle.
Sometimes you know we're right, but you just can't seem to budge yourself out.
Sometimes you know that we know.

Are you just grousing to vent, or is it really a cry for help?
You hear me, but are you listening?