You can deliberately change to better yourself as a person, or you can change to merely appear better. Encapsuled by those words however, will lay the difference between an actual change for the better, and a facade. And that makes all the difference in the world.
We aren't always acting.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Project Code Named: Erasing Jamie
It began as a way to pass time while Jamie went out for basketball. Then I decided to take it to the next level of photo manipulation. Look carefully. Waaaaay more than Jamie was erased. All editing is done in picture, no outside material introduced.
Click respective pictures for high res.
Click respective pictures for high res.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Midnight Ramblings
What you don't have or can't do, doesn't make you any less of a person than you are right now. You can only ever become more than you are.
If you're not satisfied without something, chances are that you wont be satisfied when you do have it. There's always something more.
All you have to do is find satisfaction and contentment in who you are.
All you have to do is find security.
If you're not satisfied without something, chances are that you wont be satisfied when you do have it. There's always something more.
All you have to do is find satisfaction and contentment in who you are.
All you have to do is find security.
Three Homeless Kittens
There are three homeless kittens (I always had a talent for stating the obvious), which are in need of a home. Cause they're homeless... (There I go again)
If anyone wants one, please do let me know!
If anyone wants one, please do let me know!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Parkour Poetry
Parkour and poetry, both of which I love; now combined into a work of art.
Beautiful. Need I say more?
Beautiful. Need I say more?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Dear Sarah,
I had a dream about you last night.
I was crouched near the edge of a bluff.
There were waves crashing up against the edge.
There was a crimson sunset in the horizon.
You came up from behind and sat beside me.
With a solemn look in your eyes,
You took my hand.
You laced your voice with emotion.
You withheld none, breaking the words to me.
The brutal harshness then began to sink in,
As the numbness receded from my mind,
Allowing me to comprehend what you said.
In that cold hard tone,
That cruel taunting,
That horrifying knowledge
That I could truly do nothing,
You said....
Salted vegetables.
With your exams round the corner, I hope this cheers up your day... =D
I was crouched near the edge of a bluff.
There were waves crashing up against the edge.
There was a crimson sunset in the horizon.
You came up from behind and sat beside me.
With a solemn look in your eyes,
You took my hand.
You laced your voice with emotion.
You withheld none, breaking the words to me.
The brutal harshness then began to sink in,
As the numbness receded from my mind,
Allowing me to comprehend what you said.
In that cold hard tone,
That cruel taunting,
That horrifying knowledge
That I could truly do nothing,
You said....
Salted vegetables.
With your exams round the corner, I hope this cheers up your day... =D
Monday, December 15, 2008
It's Alright Honey...
Everything will be fine.
It's okay.
I forgive you.
Those were the words I overheard a mother speak to her son while I was strolling in a mall. The boy was crying, obviously upset because he'd done something wrong. Well, not because he'd done something wrong but more so because his mother had scolded him. But now that his tears were freely flowing she could not stay resolute and she caved in and comforted him. I silently wondered what she had been teaching him all his life. Perhaps she should have said something somewhat different.
That things may or may not turn out fine.
That when you do something wrong, it's not alright.
That it's not okay.
That it's not okay but... I still forgive you.
Oh the sweet grace we take for granted.
It's okay.
I forgive you.
Those were the words I overheard a mother speak to her son while I was strolling in a mall. The boy was crying, obviously upset because he'd done something wrong. Well, not because he'd done something wrong but more so because his mother had scolded him. But now that his tears were freely flowing she could not stay resolute and she caved in and comforted him. I silently wondered what she had been teaching him all his life. Perhaps she should have said something somewhat different.
That things may or may not turn out fine.
That when you do something wrong, it's not alright.
That it's not okay.
That it's not okay but... I still forgive you.
Oh the sweet grace we take for granted.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Teenstreet....
Was interesting. I've never been on the other side of a camp where you're involved in some form of preparation, or get to see anything going on in the background. Not often have I had people know me not as a person, but as a figure who did something and was somewhere... Not on this scale anyway.
It was just like back in my six months of high school where people would know me because of who I knew, who my best friend was, and because somewhere along the line someone decided to announce that I was popular. One of the reasons for my leaving government school was because it just got so sickening. Yet there I was, on the stage, singing my guts out, drowning in the beautiful voices of hundreds of teens, mine joining theirs as a back up vocal singer. There I was, somewhat dishearteningly, with people looking up to me not because they knew me, but because I was on stage every night. They knew it wasn't a performance and we certainly weren't performing either, but they still idolized and made us up to be something greater than we were.
This year during Throne Room (the worship sessions), I wanted to be just another teenager singing and worshiping the Lord, albeit having to be up on the stage. I wanted to be seen as just another person offering up his life, and doing the best he could with all his heart.
But for all my want, being up on stage changed their perceptions.
For all my want, being up on stage somehow made me something bigger in their eyes.
For all my want, though I was just like any other one of them, they seem didn't think so.
The greatest thing is to see an everyday, normal, down to earth guy do great things and be a great influence on people. It's such a great ministry to be able to lead people yet be on the same level as everyone else. But somehow I don't think I succeeded in doing that.
But my personal struggles shall be my personal struggles, shared with few, understood by less.
The majority of my time was spent practicing for Throne Room, Throne Room itself, the sessions, catching up with my sleep in between (desperately trying not to fall severely sick), and hanging out with my friends; old and new. I particularly liked the all guys sesh where they talked about the struggles we may go through that would prevent us from completely surrendering ourselves to God. One of them was about trying to be perfect/appear perfect, as if we have to live up to some undefined expectation. Another was living our lives off the approval of others, seeking it out no matter what the cost. And the last was feeling as if you weren't good enough to do something, was too lousy, or just not capable. The traps showed that no matter what race you were, we all go through the same things, or have gone through them. I think it really ministered to some of the younger teens, and by all means the older ones too.
Though every teen walked away from the camp with a different message, I think the one central thing they took away with them was the desire to influence the people around them for the better. The theme was InGear, and was about engaging the community around us. Everything else revolved around it.
What I left with was a desire to better equip myself with every single weapon I could muster, so that I will be able to be a great influence on others. You know that verse about being the salt and light to the world? Well heh, you wanna be salt? First you gotta be salty.
Overall Teenstreet was a great experience. I had lots of fun, met loads of people, scared some with voodoo.... *ahem*... I meant magic.
If things permit, I'd like to go again next year.
I definately would.
Other posts....
Julia
Eugene
It was just like back in my six months of high school where people would know me because of who I knew, who my best friend was, and because somewhere along the line someone decided to announce that I was popular. One of the reasons for my leaving government school was because it just got so sickening. Yet there I was, on the stage, singing my guts out, drowning in the beautiful voices of hundreds of teens, mine joining theirs as a back up vocal singer. There I was, somewhat dishearteningly, with people looking up to me not because they knew me, but because I was on stage every night. They knew it wasn't a performance and we certainly weren't performing either, but they still idolized and made us up to be something greater than we were.
This year during Throne Room (the worship sessions), I wanted to be just another teenager singing and worshiping the Lord, albeit having to be up on the stage. I wanted to be seen as just another person offering up his life, and doing the best he could with all his heart.
But for all my want, being up on stage changed their perceptions.
For all my want, being up on stage somehow made me something bigger in their eyes.
For all my want, though I was just like any other one of them, they seem didn't think so.
The greatest thing is to see an everyday, normal, down to earth guy do great things and be a great influence on people. It's such a great ministry to be able to lead people yet be on the same level as everyone else. But somehow I don't think I succeeded in doing that.
But my personal struggles shall be my personal struggles, shared with few, understood by less.
The majority of my time was spent practicing for Throne Room, Throne Room itself, the sessions, catching up with my sleep in between (desperately trying not to fall severely sick), and hanging out with my friends; old and new. I particularly liked the all guys sesh where they talked about the struggles we may go through that would prevent us from completely surrendering ourselves to God. One of them was about trying to be perfect/appear perfect, as if we have to live up to some undefined expectation. Another was living our lives off the approval of others, seeking it out no matter what the cost. And the last was feeling as if you weren't good enough to do something, was too lousy, or just not capable. The traps showed that no matter what race you were, we all go through the same things, or have gone through them. I think it really ministered to some of the younger teens, and by all means the older ones too.
Though every teen walked away from the camp with a different message, I think the one central thing they took away with them was the desire to influence the people around them for the better. The theme was InGear, and was about engaging the community around us. Everything else revolved around it.
What I left with was a desire to better equip myself with every single weapon I could muster, so that I will be able to be a great influence on others. You know that verse about being the salt and light to the world? Well heh, you wanna be salt? First you gotta be salty.
Overall Teenstreet was a great experience. I had lots of fun, met loads of people, scared some with voodoo.... *ahem*... I meant magic.
If things permit, I'd like to go again next year.
I definately would.
Other posts....
Julia
Eugene
Thursday, December 4, 2008
You and I, Aren't so Different Afterall
Every man is different,
Every man is the same.
We are all that kid in the corner,
That bloke on the street.
We all seek deeper meaning,
Be part of something bigger than ourselves.
We all trod our own journeys,
Choose difficult paths in our lives.
We all want to gain acceptance,
To love, and be loved.
We all want to find friendship,
Be able to trust others.
We all want something to believe in,
Hope and wish and pray.
We all have to sacrifice things,
Pay the price for what seems right.
We all hurt and cry,
Wishing that life was simpler.
We all make and break promises,
Face disappointment when it comes knocking.
We are all that kid in the corner,
That bloke on the street.
For every man is different,
And every man is the same.
Every man is the same.
We are all that kid in the corner,
That bloke on the street.
We all seek deeper meaning,
Be part of something bigger than ourselves.
We all trod our own journeys,
Choose difficult paths in our lives.
We all want to gain acceptance,
To love, and be loved.
We all want to find friendship,
Be able to trust others.
We all want something to believe in,
Hope and wish and pray.
We all have to sacrifice things,
Pay the price for what seems right.
We all hurt and cry,
Wishing that life was simpler.
We all make and break promises,
Face disappointment when it comes knocking.
We are all that kid in the corner,
That bloke on the street.
For every man is different,
And every man is the same.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Bullet Points
This week has been:
A new huge project
Hesitantly turning down invitations to the movies
New belt
New boxers
Keyboard breaking down at the worst possible moment
Boxers 2 inches bigger than stated on the box
Exchanging the boxers
A new keyboard 100 bucks more expensive than expected
A new cap
A new cut
A thinner wallet
This week will be:
The rest of a huge project
Turning down more invitations to the movies
Not enough sleep
Loneliness
A new huge project
Hesitantly turning down invitations to the movies
New belt
New boxers
Keyboard breaking down at the worst possible moment
Boxers 2 inches bigger than stated on the box
Exchanging the boxers
A new keyboard 100 bucks more expensive than expected
A new cap
A new cut
A thinner wallet
This week will be:
The rest of a huge project
Turning down more invitations to the movies
Not enough sleep
Loneliness
Saturday, November 29, 2008
I Wear a Nylon Shirt... We All Do
Nylon strings,
Hard to break,
Nearly invisible,
And easy to acquire.
Like trouble,
Sins, and secrets,
Wrapped tightly
Around my neck.
But unlike hurts,
Wrongs, and scars;
By means of scissors,
Nylon can be cut.
Hard to break,
Nearly invisible,
And easy to acquire.
Like trouble,
Sins, and secrets,
Wrapped tightly
Around my neck.
But unlike hurts,
Wrongs, and scars;
By means of scissors,
Nylon can be cut.
In Loving Memory Of
Everything happened over your 17 years.
In a moment, everything was gone.
And now I'm left here sitting,
In the high pitched whine of pure silence
And encapsulated by it,
Everything.
And nothing.
Both are the same.
Or rather, within nothingness,
Is the potential for everything.
Or perhaps,
Just a memory of it.
In a moment, everything was gone.
And now I'm left here sitting,
In the high pitched whine of pure silence
And encapsulated by it,
Everything.
And nothing.
Both are the same.
Or rather, within nothingness,
Is the potential for everything.
Or perhaps,
Just a memory of it.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Deserter
A deserter I am,
For when she needed me I ran.
I drowned myself with empty bliss,
While at home she lacked a loving kiss.
I wanted just to give them strength,
Hold them up, through the depths.
But all I caused was scarring pain,
While another walked away righteously vain.
So the guilt befalls my mind,
Dreams of wisdom, left behind.
I wonder if I should continue to run,
Or meddle more; undo what I’ve done.
But through her weakness shines a light,
A brilliance wrought of uncommon might.
Matured knowing of what to do,
To die inside for the sake of you.
So run away, run with me,
Away from reason, to the free.
But though we run, fast and true,
Our paths will differ, mine from you.
We flee with different thoughts in mind,
I hope and wish that both are kind.
I know we live just day by day,
But I still regret I ran away.
Walk your paths,
But just remember,
To never lose sight,
Of what you hold most dear.
Take heart,
And take strength,
In knowing,
That I love both of you.
For when she needed me I ran.
I drowned myself with empty bliss,
While at home she lacked a loving kiss.
I wanted just to give them strength,
Hold them up, through the depths.
But all I caused was scarring pain,
While another walked away righteously vain.
So the guilt befalls my mind,
Dreams of wisdom, left behind.
I wonder if I should continue to run,
Or meddle more; undo what I’ve done.
But through her weakness shines a light,
A brilliance wrought of uncommon might.
Matured knowing of what to do,
To die inside for the sake of you.
So run away, run with me,
Away from reason, to the free.
But though we run, fast and true,
Our paths will differ, mine from you.
We flee with different thoughts in mind,
I hope and wish that both are kind.
I know we live just day by day,
But I still regret I ran away.
Walk your paths,
But just remember,
To never lose sight,
Of what you hold most dear.
Take heart,
And take strength,
In knowing,
That I love both of you.
Monday, November 24, 2008
I Must
Though I tire, I must be strong,
Because I am in a position to be strong.
Though I tire, I must listen,
Because I am in a position to listen.
Though I tire, I must give counsel,
Because I am in a position to give counsel.
Though I tire, I must mediate,
For I am the only one who can.
So I sacrifice parts of myself,
In order that those around me,
Can have that part,
Hold on to it, and take strength.
I push others out of the quicksand,
Even though the consequence of doing so;
Sinking further,
Weighs upon me.
So I give strength.
I listen.
I give counsel,
I mediate.
I sacrifice myself,
I tire and fall.
I do all of the above,
Because no one else is around who can.
I do it because I can.
And because I can,
Though I tire,
I must.
Because I am in a position to be strong.
Though I tire, I must listen,
Because I am in a position to listen.
Though I tire, I must give counsel,
Because I am in a position to give counsel.
Though I tire, I must mediate,
For I am the only one who can.
So I sacrifice parts of myself,
In order that those around me,
Can have that part,
Hold on to it, and take strength.
I push others out of the quicksand,
Even though the consequence of doing so;
Sinking further,
Weighs upon me.
So I give strength.
I listen.
I give counsel,
I mediate.
I sacrifice myself,
I tire and fall.
I do all of the above,
Because no one else is around who can.
I do it because I can.
And because I can,
Though I tire,
I must.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Deserter I'm Not
I took one for the team,
So please, lay off.
Don't accuse me of slacking,
Or not being there when needed.
You guys made a big mess of things,
And left me behind to clean up.
So I did, even though it had personal consequences,
And took much longer than I could afford.
But when I finally caught up,
All ya'll held were presumptions as to my absence.
So the next time you make a mess of things, Ty,
Man up and clean it yourself.
Never, ever abuse the respect people have for you,
And never, ever abuse the respect I have for you.
I took one for the team,
So please, lay off.
So please, lay off.
Don't accuse me of slacking,
Or not being there when needed.
You guys made a big mess of things,
And left me behind to clean up.
So I did, even though it had personal consequences,
And took much longer than I could afford.
But when I finally caught up,
All ya'll held were presumptions as to my absence.
So the next time you make a mess of things, Ty,
Man up and clean it yourself.
Never, ever abuse the respect people have for you,
And never, ever abuse the respect I have for you.
I took one for the team,
So please, lay off.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tit for Tat
Every species which is still around to tell the tale, somehow contributes to the environment around it. On top of simply surviving, it somehow finds a way to make the habitat around it better, so that its future generations may too prosper. Every species which only took for itself and did not give something back for the betterment of its ecosystem, died off.
In the past hundred years, the rate of species going extinct has been raised by a thousandfold.
Because we've killed them off.
And if we don't start giving back,
We'll be next on the list.
In the past hundred years, the rate of species going extinct has been raised by a thousandfold.
Because we've killed them off.
And if we don't start giving back,
We'll be next on the list.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Closing What Should Have
I finally deleted your number from my phone today
It felt damned weird
But you'll live on in our memories mate
You always will
It felt damned weird
But you'll live on in our memories mate
You always will
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A-Z
A. Attached or Single?
Attached but single
B. Best Friends?
Ty and the gang, Erica, Jamie, Danny, Lewis... *the list goes on*
C. Cake or pie?
Can I have both?
D. Day of choice?
Good days
E. Essential item?
My identity
F. Favorite colour?
Black & white, dirt colors
G. Gummy bears or worms?
Jelly beans are jelly beans
H. Hometown
Earth
I. Favorite indulgence?
Chocolate cream cake
J. January or July?
January *Ma birthday!*
K. Kids?
Only have 1... OH... I meant... uh... yea... I love em...
L. Life isn’t complete without?
Life's never complete. We just make do
M. Marriage date?
During an eclipse =D
N. Number of brothers and sisters?
1 sister, couple of blood brothers
O. Oranges or Apples?
Apples
P. Phobias?
Haven't found them out
Q. Quotes?
"Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur" -Petronius-
R. Reasons to smile?
Life, love, happiness
S. Season of choice?
Fall
T. Tag 5 people
Eugene
Huey Sing
Leanne
Jon
Sarah?
U. Unknown fact about me?
I like to keep track of which way is North
V. Vegetable?
Spinach. Only at one particular shop
W. Worst habit?
I think too much
X. X-ray or Ultrasound?
As in either break another bone or get pregnant? Hmmm... Tough choice there...
Y. Your favorite type of food?
Western
Z. Zodiac sign?
Aquarius; fixed, air, and positive sign, coincides with the destroying month, ruled by Uranus
Are we scared yet?
Attached but single
B. Best Friends?
Ty and the gang, Erica, Jamie, Danny, Lewis... *the list goes on*
C. Cake or pie?
Can I have both?
D. Day of choice?
Good days
E. Essential item?
My identity
F. Favorite colour?
Black & white, dirt colors
G. Gummy bears or worms?
Jelly beans are jelly beans
H. Hometown
Earth
I. Favorite indulgence?
Chocolate cream cake
J. January or July?
January *Ma birthday!*
K. Kids?
Only have 1... OH... I meant... uh... yea... I love em...
L. Life isn’t complete without?
Life's never complete. We just make do
M. Marriage date?
During an eclipse =D
N. Number of brothers and sisters?
1 sister, couple of blood brothers
O. Oranges or Apples?
Apples
P. Phobias?
Haven't found them out
Q. Quotes?
"Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur" -Petronius-
R. Reasons to smile?
Life, love, happiness
S. Season of choice?
Fall
T. Tag 5 people
Eugene
Huey Sing
Leanne
Jon
Sarah?
U. Unknown fact about me?
I like to keep track of which way is North
V. Vegetable?
Spinach. Only at one particular shop
W. Worst habit?
I think too much
X. X-ray or Ultrasound?
As in either break another bone or get pregnant? Hmmm... Tough choice there...
Y. Your favorite type of food?
Western
Z. Zodiac sign?
Aquarius; fixed, air, and positive sign, coincides with the destroying month, ruled by Uranus
Are we scared yet?
Butterfly Award
Nominated by: Huey Sing
To the nominees :
1. Put the logo in your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate 10 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.
My 10 nominees:
1-10. Everyone lah... =D
*Yes, I'm feeling lazy*
Monday, November 10, 2008
Fugitive from Reason
Well Sarah, it was a deal so here's my fugitive poem. It's not as witty or about love, and uh... not exactly cheesy either. I've forgotten that quote you gave me but it went along the lines of poetry being an emotional height looked back in calm retrospect.
Well this is more of a personal thing for me.
It's about death and birth.
Or rather that a death spawns the birth of escape.
And the birth of denial.
Fugitive from Reason
Run.
I dare you.
For one fleeting moment,
Pretend that you can escape.
Pretend long enough,
And you might even believe it.
But what if that which was improbable,
Actually happened?
You will then have run for nothing;
Wasted your breath,
While the cold hard floor for you to sink upon
Will still remain.
Time does not mend everything,
Time does not heal all wounds.
Time simply gives us a chance
To get used to the fact that we have those wounds.
But regardless which,
We somehow still manage to delude ourselves.
We delude ourselves into thinking
That we can flee far enough.
And that the floor will stop waiting,
But no.
A floor is made of stone
Cast along with the patience of one.
And no matter what we do,
We will eventually have to face reason.
So don't.
Don't run.
I dare you.
Well this is more of a personal thing for me.
It's about death and birth.
Or rather that a death spawns the birth of escape.
And the birth of denial.
Fugitive from Reason
Run.
I dare you.
For one fleeting moment,
Pretend that you can escape.
Pretend long enough,
And you might even believe it.
But what if that which was improbable,
Actually happened?
You will then have run for nothing;
Wasted your breath,
While the cold hard floor for you to sink upon
Will still remain.
Time does not mend everything,
Time does not heal all wounds.
Time simply gives us a chance
To get used to the fact that we have those wounds.
But regardless which,
We somehow still manage to delude ourselves.
We delude ourselves into thinking
That we can flee far enough.
And that the floor will stop waiting,
But no.
A floor is made of stone
Cast along with the patience of one.
And no matter what we do,
We will eventually have to face reason.
So don't.
Don't run.
I dare you.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I Got Conned
I recently bought a small tube of super glue.
With a Super Strength, Fast Drying formula, in a Clog-Free easy grip applicator, I was anxious to be finally able to glue that stubborn rubber piece that kept falling off my graphics tablet, back to where it belonged.
And of course with a Clog-Free applicator I was sure to succeed.
Except it was bloody clogged.
The reason?
The whole damned tube had dried up.
Sometimes, half a truth can be even worse than no truth at all.
With a Super Strength, Fast Drying formula, in a Clog-Free easy grip applicator, I was anxious to be finally able to glue that stubborn rubber piece that kept falling off my graphics tablet, back to where it belonged.
And of course with a Clog-Free applicator I was sure to succeed.
Except it was bloody clogged.
The reason?
The whole damned tube had dried up.
Sometimes, half a truth can be even worse than no truth at all.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ingrained Politeness
"Thanks" he said.
"Sure thing" I replied.
Then I started to wonder why he had thanked me for something so trivial.
He looked at me.
We knew we were thinking the same thing.
We laughed.
I enjoyed the much needed laugh.
And thanked him for it.
"Sure thing" I replied.
Then I started to wonder why he had thanked me for something so trivial.
He looked at me.
We knew we were thinking the same thing.
We laughed.
I enjoyed the much needed laugh.
And thanked him for it.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Leach Slayer
So I'm back from Tapah, with pretty much the same amount of bed bug bites as last time. And as last time, I'm the only one amongst us who got bitten at all. I swear there's a conspiracy here. I've come to believe that they bite the person with the most amount of luggage, as if to say that they'll cause discomfort to whoever goes through lengths to have comfort. This is under the assumption that more luggage is equivalent to more comfort.
I had seven pieces.
Well one was my cloths bag, another my harvest sack, two sleeping bags, a pair of computer speakers with a sub-woofer, 1 bag of junk food, and my pillow. One sleeping bag was for Jamie, the computer speakers for the hall, and my pillow? Well lets just say I'd rather not sleep on the drool of a thousand past inhabitants.
Though we were only there for two days, I had a great time and got to know some of the band members better. It was great fun.
The first afternoon we were there, I ended up playing monopoly with Jamie, Andy and Eugene on a laptop. Soon enough, someone began to, for lack of a better word, monopolize. Oh wait. There a better word. It's called ownage. =D
After I got owned, we went stream trotting. Since I only had one pair of shoes with me, I went with my customary bare foot style. About a kilometer down the road, I realized that it wasn't such a good idea after all. Now get this; I love walking barefoot. I've walked about 15km barefoot before. I love to run barefoot. I love to wallrun barefoot. I love the sensitivity of flesh, and being able to feel what I tread on. But what I don't love, is having to walk about 150m on gravel.
Yes, gravel; being stones anywhere between 5mm and 10cm, some sharp, some round.
Well gravel path aside, the stream trotting was awesome. We spent more than half an hour wading up a stream, making our way to a waterfall. When we got there, we decided to take pictures of us, what else, but sitting in the flow of the water. I'm sure it made a great picture, at the expense of out butts though. The water was freezing.
So we sat down, laid down, and had a water fight even. Then it started raining. We promptly left, lest we be swept away by a sudden gush of water. Instead of taking the river path down, we took a gravel road. *Yippee. More gravel* Though had taken us the better part of an hour to get there by the stream, the road took us back to the start within 5 minutes of us setting out. That means that we could have technically avoided the whole mumbo jumbo and walked straight to the waterfall.
But there's a lesson here. By taking the longer, harder road, reaching our destination was made that much more fulfilling. It's not just achieving something. The journey on the way is important too.
When we got back, we washed up then had BBQ for dinner. After that, we headed to the hall for our session. It was about what winning means. We all pretty much had a unanimous view on it; giving your absolute best, no holds barred, regardless of the outcome. If you're unsatisfied because of what you don't have, chances are that you wont be satisfied when you do. Again, the journey counts.
We went for a night hike after that. I had brought 4 torches to lend out, and luck of all lucks, Jamie's had run out of battery. I sacrificed Shirley (my Surefire) to him and instead navigated by light of two glow sticks. Surprisingly, I didn't get any leaches. Phylli however, collected the average of 1 leach per 4 minutes spent in jungle.
Though we were beat when we got back, we still ended up watching a late night movie called Never Back Down. (Props to Jon for telling me bout it. =D) The main character starts of as an angry young man who cant hold back his anger, and had a tendency to release it in violent manners. He's portrayed as someone who always wants to come out on top, and never lose. Throughout the movie, events slowly craft him into something quite different, and he instead becomes someone who fights for the sake of those around him. A nice element they added was a line about the Shield of Achilles, and how he ended up fighting not because he wanted to, but because he had to. He was fought so that he didn't have to fight again, and even though a chance presented itself, he abandoned the glory of winning simply because it wasn't one of his ideals anymore; because winning no longer involved his actual dispute.
Anyways needless to say, we slept after that. Like rocks, we slept.
I honestly don't remember much of Sunday morning, me being in a half catatonic state. But we did have another session and I do remember that.
One of the things I took away from it was derived from an age old Christian cliche. We are often told to be the salt and light to the world. But I realized that in order to be salt to the world, we must first make ourselves salty. We must learn before we can teach, or learn while we teach. Nevertheless, we still must learn.
Being a creative and wacky bunch, we of course came up with a different definition for the salt and light line.
Being salt, was to vanquish leaches. Light's only raison d'etre was to illuminate the area so the salt can find leaches to vanquish. We had a good laugh about that. Then someone said that "leaches", could be figurative. Our joke had thus become something deep.
We still laughed.
On the way back to KL, we stopped at this duck noodle shop for lunch. The noodles were great. But not as great as the car conversation. While Jamie snoozed, I learnt how to make vanilla ice-cream, and how nun chucks came about. We concluded that all invented food was either the result of an accident, or was Chinese. We talked about all forms of random stuff. At last I've found someone who shares the same appreciation I do for random knowledge, was home schooled, and is interested in psychology. Adam, I swear you must be my long lost twin brother or something.
We arrived at KL and went to Yong Yi's house. We waited inside and had a quick chat while we waited for the afternoon rain to abate. After that we parted ways, and YY sent me home. Waiting for me at home was my dad who had prior to that day itself, been away on a 6 week seminar in New Jersey. His total time away was bout 7 weeks because he took a holiday in Boston with my sister before that. It goes without saying that I was elated to have him back.
He had stayed in an apartment in Hoboken, and it so happened to have a gym. My dad decided to use it at a frequency of what I'm guessing to be every other day. To my utter most surprise when he shed his shirt, his belly was gone! Well, that's not the most shocking change really. Lets start with his biceps. Or rather the biceps a size worthy of a body builder. They're huge. Then of course there's his 6 pack in which with a little more effort, I'm positive he can turn into an 8. And I could go on, but words wouldn't do his transformation justice. I guess you'll just have to wait for the next church camp and hope that tradition persists. *Grins widely*
Well that wasn't the only surprise I received. While in New York, my dad visited David Blaine during his most recent stunt entitled Dive of Death. He bought a deck that David designed for his own use (split spades), and it so happened to be the black one! I can now add it to the red one my sister bought for me. And the deck wasn't all he obtained. My dad joined a long que and got David's signature for me. =D
I was just thinking how funny it is that amongst the many people I admire, three which are near the top (David Belle, David Blaine, and Derren Brown), all bear DB as their initials. =D
And no folks, that's not all. Along with the aforementioned surprises, my dad had brought me something else. 2 days before it's official release in Malaysia, I received my 2nd generation iPod Touch! I'm still in the process of loading my songs and videos into it, along with some applications I took a liking to. But I'm already in love with it. Smitten really. And grinning widely. Definitely grinning widely.
Pleasant surprises aside, it's great to finally have you home dad.
And a word of advice that goes out to all.
Never let someone else kiss your lucky egg.
I had seven pieces.
Well one was my cloths bag, another my harvest sack, two sleeping bags, a pair of computer speakers with a sub-woofer, 1 bag of junk food, and my pillow. One sleeping bag was for Jamie, the computer speakers for the hall, and my pillow? Well lets just say I'd rather not sleep on the drool of a thousand past inhabitants.
Though we were only there for two days, I had a great time and got to know some of the band members better. It was great fun.
The first afternoon we were there, I ended up playing monopoly with Jamie, Andy and Eugene on a laptop. Soon enough, someone began to, for lack of a better word, monopolize. Oh wait. There a better word. It's called ownage. =D
After I got owned, we went stream trotting. Since I only had one pair of shoes with me, I went with my customary bare foot style. About a kilometer down the road, I realized that it wasn't such a good idea after all. Now get this; I love walking barefoot. I've walked about 15km barefoot before. I love to run barefoot. I love to wallrun barefoot. I love the sensitivity of flesh, and being able to feel what I tread on. But what I don't love, is having to walk about 150m on gravel.
Yes, gravel; being stones anywhere between 5mm and 10cm, some sharp, some round.
Well gravel path aside, the stream trotting was awesome. We spent more than half an hour wading up a stream, making our way to a waterfall. When we got there, we decided to take pictures of us, what else, but sitting in the flow of the water. I'm sure it made a great picture, at the expense of out butts though. The water was freezing.
So we sat down, laid down, and had a water fight even. Then it started raining. We promptly left, lest we be swept away by a sudden gush of water. Instead of taking the river path down, we took a gravel road. *Yippee. More gravel* Though had taken us the better part of an hour to get there by the stream, the road took us back to the start within 5 minutes of us setting out. That means that we could have technically avoided the whole mumbo jumbo and walked straight to the waterfall.
But there's a lesson here. By taking the longer, harder road, reaching our destination was made that much more fulfilling. It's not just achieving something. The journey on the way is important too.
When we got back, we washed up then had BBQ for dinner. After that, we headed to the hall for our session. It was about what winning means. We all pretty much had a unanimous view on it; giving your absolute best, no holds barred, regardless of the outcome. If you're unsatisfied because of what you don't have, chances are that you wont be satisfied when you do. Again, the journey counts.
We went for a night hike after that. I had brought 4 torches to lend out, and luck of all lucks, Jamie's had run out of battery. I sacrificed Shirley (my Surefire) to him and instead navigated by light of two glow sticks. Surprisingly, I didn't get any leaches. Phylli however, collected the average of 1 leach per 4 minutes spent in jungle.
Though we were beat when we got back, we still ended up watching a late night movie called Never Back Down. (Props to Jon for telling me bout it. =D) The main character starts of as an angry young man who cant hold back his anger, and had a tendency to release it in violent manners. He's portrayed as someone who always wants to come out on top, and never lose. Throughout the movie, events slowly craft him into something quite different, and he instead becomes someone who fights for the sake of those around him. A nice element they added was a line about the Shield of Achilles, and how he ended up fighting not because he wanted to, but because he had to. He was fought so that he didn't have to fight again, and even though a chance presented itself, he abandoned the glory of winning simply because it wasn't one of his ideals anymore; because winning no longer involved his actual dispute.
Anyways needless to say, we slept after that. Like rocks, we slept.
I honestly don't remember much of Sunday morning, me being in a half catatonic state. But we did have another session and I do remember that.
One of the things I took away from it was derived from an age old Christian cliche. We are often told to be the salt and light to the world. But I realized that in order to be salt to the world, we must first make ourselves salty. We must learn before we can teach, or learn while we teach. Nevertheless, we still must learn.
Being a creative and wacky bunch, we of course came up with a different definition for the salt and light line.
Being salt, was to vanquish leaches. Light's only raison d'etre was to illuminate the area so the salt can find leaches to vanquish. We had a good laugh about that. Then someone said that "leaches", could be figurative. Our joke had thus become something deep.
We still laughed.
On the way back to KL, we stopped at this duck noodle shop for lunch. The noodles were great. But not as great as the car conversation. While Jamie snoozed, I learnt how to make vanilla ice-cream, and how nun chucks came about. We concluded that all invented food was either the result of an accident, or was Chinese. We talked about all forms of random stuff. At last I've found someone who shares the same appreciation I do for random knowledge, was home schooled, and is interested in psychology. Adam, I swear you must be my long lost twin brother or something.
We arrived at KL and went to Yong Yi's house. We waited inside and had a quick chat while we waited for the afternoon rain to abate. After that we parted ways, and YY sent me home. Waiting for me at home was my dad who had prior to that day itself, been away on a 6 week seminar in New Jersey. His total time away was bout 7 weeks because he took a holiday in Boston with my sister before that. It goes without saying that I was elated to have him back.
He had stayed in an apartment in Hoboken, and it so happened to have a gym. My dad decided to use it at a frequency of what I'm guessing to be every other day. To my utter most surprise when he shed his shirt, his belly was gone! Well, that's not the most shocking change really. Lets start with his biceps. Or rather the biceps a size worthy of a body builder. They're huge. Then of course there's his 6 pack in which with a little more effort, I'm positive he can turn into an 8. And I could go on, but words wouldn't do his transformation justice. I guess you'll just have to wait for the next church camp and hope that tradition persists. *Grins widely*
Well that wasn't the only surprise I received. While in New York, my dad visited David Blaine during his most recent stunt entitled Dive of Death. He bought a deck that David designed for his own use (split spades), and it so happened to be the black one! I can now add it to the red one my sister bought for me. And the deck wasn't all he obtained. My dad joined a long que and got David's signature for me. =D
I was just thinking how funny it is that amongst the many people I admire, three which are near the top (David Belle, David Blaine, and Derren Brown), all bear DB as their initials. =D
And no folks, that's not all. Along with the aforementioned surprises, my dad had brought me something else. 2 days before it's official release in Malaysia, I received my 2nd generation iPod Touch! I'm still in the process of loading my songs and videos into it, along with some applications I took a liking to. But I'm already in love with it. Smitten really. And grinning widely. Definitely grinning widely.
Pleasant surprises aside, it's great to finally have you home dad.
And a word of advice that goes out to all.
Never let someone else kiss your lucky egg.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sufes
I'm off to Tapah again, albeit no crazy insane brain damaging treasure hunt this time.
=D
I spent the whole of last night sewing artificial leather, and as every unseasoned person who sews, my fingers are riddled with pin pricks.
My fingers, have HOLES.
But it's all worth it.
I finally have my ankle sheath for my skeleton knife.
*grins widely*
=D
I spent the whole of last night sewing artificial leather, and as every unseasoned person who sews, my fingers are riddled with pin pricks.
My fingers, have HOLES.
But it's all worth it.
I finally have my ankle sheath for my skeleton knife.
*grins widely*
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Breaking Boxes
A boy can fall flat on his face with a bloody nose,
And he'll get up and run,
And run, and run, and run he will,
All the way home only so that he can cry.
A girl will simply stand up,
And cry.
What is it about males which requires us to be egoistic?
I wish that men could just set aside differences, and cast away preconceptions.
I wish that men could rejoice in another's victory, even when it is at their own expense.
I wish that men could praise those better than themselves.
I wish that men could learn to drop their facade of strength.
Facade is the key word here. We have become so engrossed and enticed by the appearance of strength, that we have neglected to actually develop any true strength at all. We've fallen so in love with the idea of strength, but only the idea. None of the ideals. We have taught and bred ourselves to sacrifice security for the mere appearance of it.
So being afraid of showing our true selves, we seek to gain a shallow security wrought from whatever acceptance we can get. And that we do by putting on our stupid acts of machismo.
Maybe we should realize that allowing ourselves to show weakness can be a display of true strength, one that stems from a confidence in one's self. But if it is only a display and nothing more, then the true purpose of allowing weakness it lost too. That is why only the truly strong allow themselves to appear weak and emotionally vulnerable; because they are very frankly, not bothered by it.
Society has spent too long inventing boxes to fit people into. We were fine before the boxes came along.
We'll be fine without them.
So be weak *flashes pinky*
And be real *TeenStreet guys, you know*
And he'll get up and run,
And run, and run, and run he will,
All the way home only so that he can cry.
A girl will simply stand up,
And cry.
What is it about males which requires us to be egoistic?
I wish that men could just set aside differences, and cast away preconceptions.
I wish that men could rejoice in another's victory, even when it is at their own expense.
I wish that men could praise those better than themselves.
I wish that men could learn to drop their facade of strength.
Facade is the key word here. We have become so engrossed and enticed by the appearance of strength, that we have neglected to actually develop any true strength at all. We've fallen so in love with the idea of strength, but only the idea. None of the ideals. We have taught and bred ourselves to sacrifice security for the mere appearance of it.
So being afraid of showing our true selves, we seek to gain a shallow security wrought from whatever acceptance we can get. And that we do by putting on our stupid acts of machismo.
Maybe we should realize that allowing ourselves to show weakness can be a display of true strength, one that stems from a confidence in one's self. But if it is only a display and nothing more, then the true purpose of allowing weakness it lost too. That is why only the truly strong allow themselves to appear weak and emotionally vulnerable; because they are very frankly, not bothered by it.
Society has spent too long inventing boxes to fit people into. We were fine before the boxes came along.
We'll be fine without them.
So be weak *flashes pinky*
And be real *TeenStreet guys, you know*
Friday, October 10, 2008
Erica
The smell of fresh roses,
Accompanied her footsteps,
Wafting up from below,
Connected by a wooden strung ladder.
There was a flash of her elegant blue dress,
Illuminated part by the moon,
And part from the radiance cast by her hair;
A scintillating beautiful blond.
Her features were accented by the night,
Skin as smooth as the silk of her scarf,
Eyes a sparkling blue like her sapphire necklace,
Her beauty casting a shadow on the gem itself.
I tried to call out to her,
To tell her what she still meant to me,
But try as I might with all my will,
I could not for I was only ethereal.
And so she sauntered past out my sight,
The radiance of her glow slowly dimming,
Leaving me to wake up with nothing,
But the fading smell of fresh roses.
Accompanied her footsteps,
Wafting up from below,
Connected by a wooden strung ladder.
There was a flash of her elegant blue dress,
Illuminated part by the moon,
And part from the radiance cast by her hair;
A scintillating beautiful blond.
Her features were accented by the night,
Skin as smooth as the silk of her scarf,
Eyes a sparkling blue like her sapphire necklace,
Her beauty casting a shadow on the gem itself.
I tried to call out to her,
To tell her what she still meant to me,
But try as I might with all my will,
I could not for I was only ethereal.
And so she sauntered past out my sight,
The radiance of her glow slowly dimming,
Leaving me to wake up with nothing,
But the fading smell of fresh roses.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
FM Static - Tonight
Thanks for sending me this song Jamie. It may have been purely coincidence but you have no idea what it means to me right now.
I looked up the lyrics and discovered just how much it applies.
I cried.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbFlHd1GP1w
I remember the times we spent together
All those drives, we had a million questions
All about our lives
And when we got to New York everything felt right
I wish you were here with me,
Tonight
I remember the days we spent together,
were not enough, it used to feel like dreaming
Except we always woke up,
Never thought not having you here now
Would hurt so much
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
I remember the time you told me
About when you were eight
And all those things you said that night
That just couldn't wait
I remember the car you were last seen in
And the games we would play
All the times we spilled our coffees
And stayed out way too late
I remember the time you sat and told me
About your Jesus, and how not to look back
Even if no one believes us
When it hurts so bad, sometimes
Not having you here
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
I say
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
The song is about the artist's brother passing away when they were children, and about him asking God for closure.
It serves as a timely and welcomed reminder to me that God cares.
But closure?
I don't think I'm ready for that yet.
Give me some time.
There is no haste in grief.
I looked up the lyrics and discovered just how much it applies.
I cried.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbFlHd1GP1w
I remember the times we spent together
All those drives, we had a million questions
All about our lives
And when we got to New York everything felt right
I wish you were here with me,
Tonight
I remember the days we spent together,
were not enough, it used to feel like dreaming
Except we always woke up,
Never thought not having you here now
Would hurt so much
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
I remember the time you told me
About when you were eight
And all those things you said that night
That just couldn't wait
I remember the car you were last seen in
And the games we would play
All the times we spilled our coffees
And stayed out way too late
I remember the time you sat and told me
About your Jesus, and how not to look back
Even if no one believes us
When it hurts so bad, sometimes
Not having you here
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
I say
Tonight I've fallen and I can't get up
I need your loving hands to come and pick me up
And every night I miss you
I can just look up
And know the stars are
Holding you, holding you, holding you
Tonight
The song is about the artist's brother passing away when they were children, and about him asking God for closure.
It serves as a timely and welcomed reminder to me that God cares.
But closure?
I don't think I'm ready for that yet.
Give me some time.
There is no haste in grief.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Photoshop
I've been doing some photoshopping lately to take my mind off things.
As some of you know, I enjoy either coming up with my own graphics from scratch, or taking photo manipulation to the extreme. You can click on the pictures for the high resolutions.
As some of you know, I enjoy either coming up with my own graphics from scratch, or taking photo manipulation to the extreme. You can click on the pictures for the high resolutions.
Scanline text
I don't think people can truly appreciate photo manipulation without having seen the base picture.Base
Manipulation
Special thanks to Jamie for letting me use your picture.
Girls, don't faint.
Teardrops from Heaven
Not a single day has passed without my thoughts lingering upon the times we had together.
Not a single day can pass without me pondering upon this final outcome.
I've oftentimes wondered if things would be different if I had invited you to stay over.
I've often wondered if you'd still be here had I called and asked you to hang out.
Too often I've wondered why God saw fit to stir up a whirlwind in the midst of a summer day.
I thought that out of all the things that would prevail while everything else turned to dust,
Our friendship would last the longest amongst them all.
But then without a reason, everything changed.
Without a reason, a summer day turned to a stormy brood,
And a mix of metal and glass flew around a corner faster than the eye could see.
But in that instant was all that you were, are, could be... Was.
And then the rain fell down only to glance off your gravestone.
You'll always be remembered for the summer times.
I guess I'll see you in heaven.
So rest in peace, Kyle.
I love you buddy.
Not a single day can pass without me pondering upon this final outcome.
I've oftentimes wondered if things would be different if I had invited you to stay over.
I've often wondered if you'd still be here had I called and asked you to hang out.
Too often I've wondered why God saw fit to stir up a whirlwind in the midst of a summer day.
I thought that out of all the things that would prevail while everything else turned to dust,
Our friendship would last the longest amongst them all.
But then without a reason, everything changed.
Without a reason, a summer day turned to a stormy brood,
And a mix of metal and glass flew around a corner faster than the eye could see.
But in that instant was all that you were, are, could be... Was.
And then the rain fell down only to glance off your gravestone.
You'll always be remembered for the summer times.
I guess I'll see you in heaven.
So rest in peace, Kyle.
I love you buddy.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Script
I've been lying.
I've had emotions pent up inside of me which I haven't shown.
I've been hurting and I haven't been able to come to terms with it yet.
So I've put on a happy facade to fool the world.
Pretend, and soon enough the world will pretend along with you.
Continue to pretend, and the world will forget that they are pretending.
But though you can pretend all you want,
You can never truly forget the fact that it's only an act.
I have to find a way to deal with this.
I must.
I've had emotions pent up inside of me which I haven't shown.
I've been hurting and I haven't been able to come to terms with it yet.
So I've put on a happy facade to fool the world.
Pretend, and soon enough the world will pretend along with you.
Continue to pretend, and the world will forget that they are pretending.
But though you can pretend all you want,
You can never truly forget the fact that it's only an act.
I have to find a way to deal with this.
I must.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Mt. Tapor
We climbed Mt. Tapor again, Yong Yi, Daniel, Caleb and I.
I dearly hope that my sunburn wont be as bad as last time's.
My doggy pal whom we met near the top, and whom outpaced us on the way down.
Anyways it was a pretty fun day, and both breakfast and lunch were fast food. So much for my resolve to eat healthily.
I dearly hope that my sunburn wont be as bad as last time's.
A view of the lake
My doggy pal whom we met near the top, and whom outpaced us on the way down.
Anyways it was a pretty fun day, and both breakfast and lunch were fast food. So much for my resolve to eat healthily.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Of Technology and Architecture
I managed to catch but the meekest of winks in regard to my sleep last night.
And tomorrow morning, I'm going hiking.
My excuse?
I was just too engrossed in the architectural possibilities presented by a combination of translucent concrete blocks, electrochromic glass displays, and color changing concrete.
Imagine separating the hall and the dining room with translucent concrete, seeing every shadow cast upon the other side of the wall.
Imagine the current time displayed IN your bare unpainted wall.
Imagine a skylight that changes opacity at your very whim.
Yes, I'm planning my dream home for the eventuality that I become a billionaire.
And then there were my wild imaginings and hopes for the development of a transparent color LCD screen. Imagine the following:
*technical knowledge required*
>Unobstructed view of garden
>Suspended particle device turns near black
>Polymer dispersed liquid crystal device turns hazy white in front of SPD screen
>PDLC is lit from the sides to provide backlight
>Color LCD screen turns on
end *technical knowledge required*
Stringed together in other words?
An apparently clear window, at the flick of a button, turns opaque, then lights up to be a giant embedded computer/television screen. Or if you wanted, by an utterance from your mouth you could change the view of your boring garden into a magnificent lakeside landscape. Combined with the proper air freshener I'm sure you'll be fooled in no time. How awesome would that be?!
I'm not pulling your leg. This isn't science fiction, though there is one missing puzzle piece which is the see through color LCD display.
The rest is already reality. (For a certain price of course)
I really hope that in the years to come they'll develop technology like this, or anything similar in fashion, rather than have them stay in my intangible day dreams.
And tomorrow morning, I'm going hiking.
My excuse?
I was just too engrossed in the architectural possibilities presented by a combination of translucent concrete blocks, electrochromic glass displays, and color changing concrete.
Imagine separating the hall and the dining room with translucent concrete, seeing every shadow cast upon the other side of the wall.
Imagine the current time displayed IN your bare unpainted wall.
Imagine a skylight that changes opacity at your very whim.
Yes, I'm planning my dream home for the eventuality that I become a billionaire.
And then there were my wild imaginings and hopes for the development of a transparent color LCD screen. Imagine the following:
>Unobstructed view of garden
>Suspended particle device turns near black
>Polymer dispersed liquid crystal device turns hazy white in front of SPD screen
>PDLC is lit from the sides to provide backlight
>Color LCD screen turns on
end *technical knowledge required*
Stringed together in other words?
An apparently clear window, at the flick of a button, turns opaque, then lights up to be a giant embedded computer/television screen. Or if you wanted, by an utterance from your mouth you could change the view of your boring garden into a magnificent lakeside landscape. Combined with the proper air freshener I'm sure you'll be fooled in no time. How awesome would that be?!
I'm not pulling your leg. This isn't science fiction, though there is one missing puzzle piece which is the see through color LCD display.
The rest is already reality. (For a certain price of course)
I really hope that in the years to come they'll develop technology like this, or anything similar in fashion, rather than have them stay in my intangible day dreams.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Memory, like sand, can slip through our fingers, but will never cease to exist.
Hurts, like scars, can be forgotten, but not erased.
Reputation, like feelings, can be destroyed, but not unmade.
Life, like time, can be taken, but not repaid.
Intentions, like existence, can be ignored, but not defaced.
To hurt, to feel, to forget,
Just maybe, just perhaps...
Remember.
Reputation, like feelings, can be destroyed, but not unmade.
Life, like time, can be taken, but not repaid.
Intentions, like existence, can be ignored, but not defaced.
To hurt, to feel, to forget,
Just maybe, just perhaps...
Remember.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wedding Bells
Two lives were joined today.
And two lives were just made that much more meaningful.
Congratulations Jason and Christina!
And two lives were just made that much more meaningful.
Congratulations Jason and Christina!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Rosebush
I was sifting through my computer looking at all my old writings, when I stumbled across this old poem. Sure it's something begot of an angst ridden teenager, but I just couldn't help myself and laughed at the wit.
Anger seething; perhaps I loath the thought,
That you do not know the intention behind the act.
Words of judgment spilled out; too fast,
But you do not regret them.
They just lie there, hands stretched out; beckoning,
But I just stare; lost to irrationalism.
Brushing them aside, I let lose the suppressed emotion,
And for that, I am punished.
But I, am not the only one lost on the island of irrationality;
You too, express anger; for a cause unknown.
You look at a rosebush,
But all you see are thorns;
You fail to see the intricate patterns, on the beautiful smooth petals of a lone flower.
Likewise, you see the action,
But fail to see the cause, nor the intent. [no, you do not know. Nor do you care]
In doing so, you shred the piece of red velvet against the thorns.
Now, you are left with nothing more than a thornbrush;
Well done, you.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Chocolate Hearts
A heart made of chocolate
Is sweet and tempting;
Very much part of why it attracts.
But a heart like that is easy to consume
And also too easy to be consumed by.
A nibble here,
A nibble there,
And then a slightly bigger bite
Till all that's left is an empty shell,
And a person walking without a heart.
Soon the chocolate will dissolve,
Fusing with blood and an unsated aftertaste.
And with that, a brown liquid will pump
Through and about your veins,
Slowly eating at the walls of your own heart.
After the shadows lick the moon a dozen,
All that's left of your heart will be gone,
And you'll be left with none but a heart of chocolate,
Sweet and tempting,
Waiting to be consumed.
Is sweet and tempting;
Very much part of why it attracts.
But a heart like that is easy to consume
And also too easy to be consumed by.
A nibble here,
A nibble there,
And then a slightly bigger bite
Till all that's left is an empty shell,
And a person walking without a heart.
Soon the chocolate will dissolve,
Fusing with blood and an unsated aftertaste.
And with that, a brown liquid will pump
Through and about your veins,
Slowly eating at the walls of your own heart.
After the shadows lick the moon a dozen,
All that's left of your heart will be gone,
And you'll be left with none but a heart of chocolate,
Sweet and tempting,
Waiting to be consumed.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Oh Shakespeare you brilliant, brilliant man
One of his sonnets, emailed to me by Sarah:
Look in thy glass, and tell the face thou viewest,
Now is the time that face should form another;
Whose fresh repair if now thou not renewest,
Thou dost beguile the world, unbless some mother.
For where is she so fair whose unear'd womb
Disdains the tillage of thy husbandry?
Or who is he so fond will be the tomb
Of his self-love, to stop posterity?
Thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime:
So thou through windows of thine age shall see,
Despite of wrinkles, this thy golden time.
But if thou live, remember'd not to be,
Die single, and thine image dies with thee.
Look in thy glass, and tell the face thou viewest,
Now is the time that face should form another;
Whose fresh repair if now thou not renewest,
Thou dost beguile the world, unbless some mother.
For where is she so fair whose unear'd womb
Disdains the tillage of thy husbandry?
Or who is he so fond will be the tomb
Of his self-love, to stop posterity?
Thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime:
So thou through windows of thine age shall see,
Despite of wrinkles, this thy golden time.
But if thou live, remember'd not to be,
Die single, and thine image dies with thee.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Decryption Woes
Before you decieve yourself into thinking that no one could be that cruel, yes, this did happen.
I quote, plus minus a word or two:
Zethan to Sam: Well don't needlessly fret buddy. I'm fairly confident you'll manage to transcribe the pertaining permutation algorithm into a format from which you can then utalize in completing your decryption.
Sam to Zethan: Huh? Wait, come again? What the heck does pertaining mean?
Melissa to Zethan: Stop disturbing the poor kid here. Can't you see he's trying to concentrate? Go back to studying your hylomorphisms.
Sam to Melissa: Hey, hey, hey I'm not a kid okay?
Sam to Sam's Consciousness: Note to self. Hang out with dumber people from now on. Especially when they like to pick on you.
per·tain
I quote, plus minus a word or two:
Zethan to Sam: Well don't needlessly fret buddy. I'm fairly confident you'll manage to transcribe the pertaining permutation algorithm into a format from which you can then utalize in completing your decryption.
Sam to Zethan: Huh? Wait, come again? What the heck does pertaining mean?
Melissa to Zethan: Stop disturbing the poor kid here. Can't you see he's trying to concentrate? Go back to studying your hylomorphisms.
Sam to Melissa: Hey, hey, hey I'm not a kid okay?
Sam to Sam's Consciousness: Note to self. Hang out with dumber people from now on. Especially when they like to pick on you.
per·tain
intr.v. per·tained, per·tain·ing, per·tains
1. To have reference; relate: evidence that pertains to the accident.
2. To belong as an adjunct, part, holding, or quality.
3. To be fitting or suitable.
Now empowered with the gift of retrospective foresight (hindsight);
Sam to Zethan: No, I don't believe I have achieved a sufficient mastery as of yet.
My proof?
It's been four days.
I still dont have my cleartext.
Now empowered with the gift of retrospective foresight (hindsight);
Sam to Zethan: No, I don't believe I have achieved a sufficient mastery as of yet.
My proof?
It's been four days.
I still dont have my cleartext.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Snail and the Rose-Tree
by
Hans Christian Andersen
(1861)
“Only wait till my time comes,” he said; “I shall do more than grow roses, bear nuts, or give milk, like the hazel-bush, the cows and the sheep.”
“I expect a great deal from you,” said the rose-tree. “May I ask when it will appear?”
“I take my time,” said the snail. “You’re always in such a hurry. That does not excite expectation.”
The following year the snail lay in almost the same spot, in the sunshine under the rose-tree, which was again budding and bearing roses as fresh and beautiful as ever. The snail crept half out of his shell, stretched out his horns, and drew them in again.
“Everything is just as it was last year! No progress at all; the rose-tree sticks to its roses and gets no farther.”
The summer and the autumn passed; the rose-tree bore roses and buds till the snow fell and the weather became raw and wet; then it bent down its head, and the snail crept into the ground.
A new year began; the roses made their appearance, and the snail made his too.
“You are an old rose-tree now,” said the snail. “You must make haste and die. You have given the world all that you had in you; whether it was of much importance is a question that I have not had time to think about. But this much is clear and plain, that you have not done the least for your inner development, or you would have produced something else. Have you anything to say in defence? You will now soon be nothing but a stick. Do you understand what I say?”
“You frighten me,” said the rose-tree. “I have never thought of that.”
“No, you have never taken the trouble to think at all. Have you ever given yourself an account why you bloomed, and how your blooming comes about—why just in that way and in no other?”
“No,” said the rose-tree. “I bloom in gladness, because I cannot do otherwise. The sun shone and warmed me, and the air refreshed me; I drank the clear dew and the invigorating rain. I breathed and I lived! Out of the earth there arose a power within me, whilst from above I also received strength; I felt an ever-renewed and ever-increasing happiness, and therefore I was obliged to go on blooming. That was my life; I could not do otherwise.”
“You have led a very easy life,” remarked the snail.
“Certainly. Everything was given me,” said the rose-tree. “But still more was given to you. Yours is one of those deep-thinking natures, one of those highly gifted minds that astonishes the world.”
“I have not the slightest intention of doing so,” said the snail. “The world is nothing to me. What have I to do with the world? I have enough to do with myself, and enough in myself”
“But must we not all here on earth give up our best parts to others, and offer as much as lies in our power? It is true, I have only given roses. But you—you who are so richly endowed—what have you given to the world? What will you give it?”
“What have I given? What am I going to give? I spit at it; it’s good for nothing, and does not concern me. For my part, you may go on bearing roses; you cannot do anything else. Let the hazel bush bear nuts, and the cows and sheep give milk; they have each their public. I have mine in myself. I retire within myself and there I stop. The world is nothing to me.”
With this the snail withdrew into his house and blocked up the entrance.
“That’s very sad,” said the rose tree. “I cannot creep into myself, however much I might wish to do so; I have to go on bearing roses. Then they drop their leaves, which are blown away by the wind. But I once saw how a rose was laid in the mistress’s hymn-book, and how one of my roses found a place in the bosom of a young beautiful girl, and how another was kissed by the lips of a child in the glad joy of life. That did me good; it was a real blessing. Those are my recollections, my life.”
And the rose tree went on blooming in innocence, while the snail lay idling in his house—the world was nothing to him.
Years passed by.
The snail had turned to earth in the earth, and the rose tree too. Even the souvenir rose in the hymn-book was faded, but in the garden there were other rose trees and other snails. The latter crept into their houses and spat at the world, for it did not concern them.
Shall we read the story all over again? It will be just the same.
Know Thy Limits
I guess I over did it again.
This is the third day in my four day upper body work out regime, and isfortunately unfortunately, the last.
Zethan, as requested, my planned schedule;
1st day: 200 push ups in sets of 25, spread over the span of 2 hours, consisting of regular push ups, wide push ups, and triceps push ups.
2nd day: 40 chin ups in sets starting with 12 with decrements of approx 25% each respective set, with 2 minute intervals on completion of set.
3rd day: 15 muscle ups in decreasing sets of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, with 2 minute intervals, followed by 5 consecutive body length laches.
4th day: 40 pulls ups in sets starting with 12 with decrements of approx 25% each respective set, with 2 minute intervals on completion of set.
Between the second and third lache, I managed to receive three skin tears, one on the inner left side of my left thumb, the other two on the left side of my right palm, leaving me unable to to pull ups without furthering my skin loss.
Now with this petty excuse I can retire and ache in peace. =D
This is the third day in my four day upper body work out regime, and is
Zethan, as requested, my planned schedule;
1st day: 200 push ups in sets of 25, spread over the span of 2 hours, consisting of regular push ups, wide push ups, and triceps push ups.
2nd day: 40 chin ups in sets starting with 12 with decrements of approx 25% each respective set, with 2 minute intervals on completion of set.
3rd day: 15 muscle ups in decreasing sets of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, with 2 minute intervals, followed by 5 consecutive body length laches.
4th day: 40 pulls ups in sets starting with 12 with decrements of approx 25% each respective set, with 2 minute intervals on completion of set.
Between the second and third lache, I managed to receive three skin tears, one on the inner left side of my left thumb, the other two on the left side of my right palm, leaving me unable to to pull ups without furthering my skin loss.
Now with this petty excuse I can retire and ache in peace. =D
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Ladders
Whether by effort or natural talent, your skill exceeds mine. You're better than me. Good for you. But don't for one second; brag, be smug, or put me down because of it.
I compete with myself, my own standards, and wish to improve my ability to do whatever I do simply because I believe in steady progression, and want to help others along the way. If you're better, then be that way, and make an effort to further better yourself. But if you are progressing only so that you can gloat at those below you, then stop progressing, and start questioning your own motives.
When you compete with someone who isn't competing with you, you are creating a false bubble. You create an illusion that another is aggressively improving himself to beat you; a conclusion mistakenly derived from the simple fact that he is progressing. What you do not realize, what lies outside your bubble, are the real reasons for his progression. You are blind to them.
And so you step on me, trying to gain higher footing, trying to BEAT me at whatever it is I do, while you do not realize I am NOT competing with YOU. I am progressing for MYSELF, and here you are pushing me down for some over egocentric reason, halting my progress. You forget that while you were below me, I stretched out my hand and pulled you up. You forget that while you were alongside me, I showed you the road and pushed you on your way. You forget that while you were above me, I gave you my shoulder to step on to reach that new height.
You forgot it all and kicked me in the face.
The moment you do this for any reason, you place yourself below me.
Don't do this to yourself. Keep whatever you've achieved and celebrate.
Don't raise yourself in one area, only to fall in another.
And don't fall beyond the point where I can no longer reach you with my hand to help pull you up again.
While these kicks to my head and seeing you fall below my reach both hurt;
The latter hurts so much more.
I compete with myself, my own standards, and wish to improve my ability to do whatever I do simply because I believe in steady progression, and want to help others along the way. If you're better, then be that way, and make an effort to further better yourself. But if you are progressing only so that you can gloat at those below you, then stop progressing, and start questioning your own motives.
When you compete with someone who isn't competing with you, you are creating a false bubble. You create an illusion that another is aggressively improving himself to beat you; a conclusion mistakenly derived from the simple fact that he is progressing. What you do not realize, what lies outside your bubble, are the real reasons for his progression. You are blind to them.
And so you step on me, trying to gain higher footing, trying to BEAT me at whatever it is I do, while you do not realize I am NOT competing with YOU. I am progressing for MYSELF, and here you are pushing me down for some over egocentric reason, halting my progress. You forget that while you were below me, I stretched out my hand and pulled you up. You forget that while you were alongside me, I showed you the road and pushed you on your way. You forget that while you were above me, I gave you my shoulder to step on to reach that new height.
You forgot it all and kicked me in the face.
The moment you do this for any reason, you place yourself below me.
Don't do this to yourself. Keep whatever you've achieved and celebrate.
Don't raise yourself in one area, only to fall in another.
And don't fall beyond the point where I can no longer reach you with my hand to help pull you up again.
While these kicks to my head and seeing you fall below my reach both hurt;
The latter hurts so much more.
Deadly Sweet
This didn't go the way I thought it would.
I've always thought you as invincible.
How could I have been so wrong?
For all my over glorified opinions of you,
You fell too easily.
A simple pinch, a couple bites
And you were defeated in entirety.
I once thought you were strong.
No, you are weak.
You are a weak fool,
And by golly, an awfully tasty jellybean.
Oh how I love the orange ones.
=D
I've always thought you as invincible.
How could I have been so wrong?
For all my over glorified opinions of you,
You fell too easily.
A simple pinch, a couple bites
And you were defeated in entirety.
I once thought you were strong.
No, you are weak.
You are a weak fool,
And by golly, an awfully tasty jellybean.
Oh how I love the orange ones.
=D
Monday, September 15, 2008
It's Raining Again
Perhaps the feelings I have are the remnants of a romantic love, slowly decaying; just like the way a shock wave propagating away from the lightning channel decays into thunder. But I know that this thunder, this friendship we have, can never truly be the same again for it echoes with the memory of that lightning. One that lit up the night sky, obscuring everything with it's beauty.
Things have changed, yet again,
As they always seem to do with you.
Never constant, always unsure,
Just like the winds of a hurricane.
A resonant thunder,
Some brilliant lightning,
And a brilliant storm.
I miss you, and your cloud.
Things have changed, yet again,
As they always seem to do with you.
Never constant, always unsure,
Just like the winds of a hurricane.
A resonant thunder,
Some brilliant lightning,
And a brilliant storm.
I miss you, and your cloud.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Blood Money
The current price of a self-guided tour through a rubber tapper's route at 8 in morning is:
1 stick of insect repellent, without which is also equal to the estimate of;
(5 mosquito bites per minute spent in jungle)X(number of exposed appendages)
Both payments are acceptable.
Total sticks of repellent used: 0.0
Total minutes spent in jungle: 1.9
Total mosquito bites received: 23 (13 on left arm, 9 on right arm, 1 on neck)
What more, all of them were aedes aegypti. I darn well hope I don't get dengue fever again. And thank God I was wearing trek pants.
-.-"
1 stick of insect repellent, without which is also equal to the estimate of;
(5 mosquito bites per minute spent in jungle)X(number of exposed appendages)
Both payments are acceptable.
Total sticks of repellent used: 0.0
Total minutes spent in jungle: 1.9
Total mosquito bites received: 23 (13 on left arm, 9 on right arm, 1 on neck)
What more, all of them were aedes aegypti. I darn well hope I don't get dengue fever again. And thank God I was wearing trek pants.
-.-"
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Coming Out of the Closet
I think its about time I be honest with you guys.
Not just for you guys, but mainly for myself.
See, ever since I was about, lets say 13,
I began to notice I was different from other guys.
Not physically different,
But more so emotionally.
While they imagined undressed girls,
My mind would be thinking of... well, unmentioned other things.
While the guys played sports, I would rather
Just sit by and watch the guys play sports.
Then everyone started getting girlfriends
While I was just, uhm, simply being me.
I don't think it's fair
That I greet my male friends with an occasional hug,
Bath in the communal showers,
And even crash in the same beds sometimes.
Well what I'm trying to say...
Or rather admit...
Which I'm finding rather difficult by the way,
Is that I'm officially coming out of the closet today.
I like...
Well....
I like...
(Gosh this is had to say)
I, uh...
Okay I'm just going to say it.
I. Like. Poetry.
XD
Nope, sorry but I'm not interested in guys.
I'm not gay.
Yes, some is taken out of context but true, and of course some lines were fabricated to egg you on.
At 13 I began to realize I had more depth than my peers.
About then I thought about science almost more than anything else too.
And I was never a team sport person. You all know that.
I've been infatuated only a couple times, and only twice did I give in to it. Neither lasted long. And I don't count recent events to be infatuation.
The hugging part onwards were the egging lines... XD
And yes, though I believe I've done so quite long ago;
Today, by the power vested in me, bla bla bla, la di la la, I officiate myself as no longer a closet poet.
Lol.
But on to serious matters;
Not just for you guys, but mainly for myself.
See, ever since I was about, lets say 13,
I began to notice I was different from other guys.
Not physically different,
But more so emotionally.
While they imagined undressed girls,
My mind would be thinking of... well, unmentioned other things.
While the guys played sports, I would rather
Just sit by and watch the guys play sports.
Then everyone started getting girlfriends
While I was just, uhm, simply being me.
I don't think it's fair
That I greet my male friends with an occasional hug,
Bath in the communal showers,
And even crash in the same beds sometimes.
Well what I'm trying to say...
Or rather admit...
Which I'm finding rather difficult by the way,
Is that I'm officially coming out of the closet today.
I like...
Well....
I like...
(Gosh this is had to say)
I, uh...
Okay I'm just going to say it.
I. Like. Poetry.
XD
Nope, sorry but I'm not interested in guys.
I'm not gay.
Yes, some is taken out of context but true, and of course some lines were fabricated to egg you on.
At 13 I began to realize I had more depth than my peers.
About then I thought about science almost more than anything else too.
And I was never a team sport person. You all know that.
I've been infatuated only a couple times, and only twice did I give in to it. Neither lasted long. And I don't count recent events to be infatuation.
The hugging part onwards were the egging lines... XD
And yes, though I believe I've done so quite long ago;
Today, by the power vested in me, bla bla bla, la di la la, I officiate myself as no longer a closet poet.
Lol.
But on to serious matters;
Neither Pen Nor Parchment
I wish to be both a word smith,
And a poet of motion.
I want to express my thoughts into substance,
And pour my feelings into grace.
________________________________________
If people will not see me for who I am,
Then I want to be one who makes everything I do;
Beautiful and aesthetic,
If only so that people will see from my actions that I am different.
________________________________________
I want my life to be a poem, reflecting it's Writer's thoughts.
I don't want to be the pen writing it down,
Nor do I want to be the parchment written on.
I want to be the poem.
________________________________________
And if I am to be inscribed onto the lives of those around me,
Then along with me, let Yourself be etched onto them,
So that someday, perhaps;
They too may be poets.
And a poet of motion.
I want to express my thoughts into substance,
And pour my feelings into grace.
________________________________________
If people will not see me for who I am,
Then I want to be one who makes everything I do;
Beautiful and aesthetic,
If only so that people will see from my actions that I am different.
________________________________________
I want my life to be a poem, reflecting it's Writer's thoughts.
I don't want to be the pen writing it down,
Nor do I want to be the parchment written on.
I want to be the poem.
________________________________________
And if I am to be inscribed onto the lives of those around me,
Then along with me, let Yourself be etched onto them,
So that someday, perhaps;
They too may be poets.
This keyboard,
Is mine.
That poem,
Is Yours.
Is mine.
That poem,
Is Yours.
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