2 people in my life that I would like to remind them of this: there's really no such thing as a beautiful world. In as simply as I can to put it down in the English language - being forgotten is to be treated as non-existant, but being ignored is to be taken as not being welcomed.
And I hate being ignored.
If there is one thing I would prefer to have out of me, it's probably my wisdom, which sometimes overtakes my rationale; I am beginning to believe ignorance can really be blissful after all. [LINE] I can finally ravel in being an amatuer blader than one who thinks about learning to blade. True that it's tough getting it on, with tons of scars to prove it for that matter, but the worthiness of realising and actioning on an idea does make one more, worthy. The process is tough, but thinking about the goal makes it exciting, and makes the process of going through it even more weighty than the result itself.
Congratulations to me for finally enduring hours of pain to learn standing on my blades! [LINE] Sis Anne is moving in to her new resale flat coming Friday. The house is in a state of limbo due to the construction, and we're supposed to help with the painting. Not that I'm complaining - I love to paint - but having to rush a paint job always turns me off. For one, it shows in the outcome - huge paint brush-marks, uneven surfacing, and worst, patches. In this humid climate and condition, we would be lucky to have it dry in a day with the erratic weather, let alone cover a coat for the entire apartment.
And amidst all that whining, I will still have to be there later in the morning. Argh. [LINE] Exchanged a couple of pointers with sis Chi on blading earlier on, and she was relating this finally incident: she was blading along the East Coast coastline behind 2 cyclists when they suddenly pulled to a stop. She tried to avoid them by swerving to the sides, but she lost her balance, held on to the handlebars of one of the biker's bike as she passed, said sorry, regained her balance, and went on her way. It wasn't exactly funny, but that imagery just somewhat seemed so ridiculously, weird. Well yeah, she was trying to theorised braking on blades to me, which frankly, I tried earlier on to no success.
Better luck next time! [LINE] Dad's fish tank has some new guests - water snails (exact name unknown). They popped out of nowhere, and littered the tank floor. I think the fishes were somewhat leaving them alone even though they were physically sized up from the snails. But nonetheless, their appearance has been met with sceptism over the balance of the tank's eco-system.
We'll find out soon enough. [LINE] Would like to express my unsettled emotions over things that I've said to some people lately, including today. My intents are pure; had it been otherwise, you probably wouldn't even know me in the first place. Of course, what is that benchmark to compare with?
(In case you are wondering why this section of the post is a little dis-jointed, I stopped typing for a bit, got up, looked myself in the mirror, and decided what's below)
I think I should just let it run and do without any explanations. In fact, I think I should shut my trap some more cos it seems the more things I say, the more things I cause. [LINE] I've made little progress on my career. Looks like its back to the drawing block - and they ALL said this is a good year for me. Poppycock. 2 more months before the year closes and I'm losing grip. Try telling me something different for a change. Might as well make it bad news so that I'll feel better when things lighten up even though it's not going to go great. [LINE] Sweet and chummy, I'm in love with the Transformers again after a 15-year hiatus! Check out the band Meatbees for their version of the theme song - fabulous fabulous fabulous arrangement!
Nights all! May my angels watch all over you all~ Don't need them if they don't really wanna help me out.
Bladers! Rejoice! A new member to the family has been born~ ME! My next practice session starts in a couple of hours, and soon, this blading infant will grow up strong and healthy! Of course, there is a possibility of growing up sotong and nasty... [LINE] Tonight's special treat for you: Who're the biggest arses on my list!
At #10 - Airheads: People who talk with their mouths wide open but with their brains completely shut. #09 - Tempests: Those who think they have some beauty and uses them to the max to their own advantage. #08 - Dictators: Lots of blabber, none on the action. #07 - Wannabes: Um...nuff said? On the list at #06 - Cheats: In any form, in any way, especially when they get away. #05 - Paedophiles: In particular those who take advantage of their own kids. It's beyond disgust. Moving up to #04 - Passengers: Can't make it happen, but ride on it when it happens. These category deserves a slot. #03 - Rumour Mongers: These can't tell fact from fiction nor the left chopstick to the right, don't wash their mouths when they wake, and thinks humility is being funny. And as we climb the charts, at #02 - Sneaks: I mean, how do they look themselves in the mirror? Sneak behind the mirror and try look into it? And the lowest life-form I think this earth has ever produced, at #01 - George Bush. You've sent enough people to their ends to help clean up the population boom? The official 2K died for your cause in this time and day where medicine and technology has surpased babaric thinking, yet thousands continue to drop over your heroics. You know, let's see you in your uniform in Iraq, Indonesia, North Korea and your own states on guard duty and see if you would be spared random targetting.
Stop the fighting! [LINE] Strange weather tonight as long streaks of lighting ran across the skies for almost an hour, coupled with strong winds and a huge downpour. It's still drizzling, but from what I gathered, it's been a rather frightening night for many.
Nonetheless, kudos to those who left tags and comments, um...although I don't quite understand what the "woohoos" and "=P" really mean - so I can't quite reply? But thanks! At least I know you're tuned in!
Yeah! I've had my first taste of being on blades~! Any kind of skates to be exact! Way cool! And I can move! More tries to get me up on beat soon! Friday looks good and set, that is if the weather holds up unlike today. [LINE] At this juncture and hour, I would like to mention very briefly a couple of things. Firstly, I am still human. Secondly, I care. Thirdly, I am not a frisbee. Lastly, I think I deserve some respect.
Within the last 2 hours, 4 different personalities did 4 actions that were completely uncalled for: I called to say hi but my call seemed like some nuisance call; I urged someone to stay more focused but was told that I was harsh; somebody kept pestering me to lend a ear but kept forgetting I actually work and have a life to live; someone got pissed off but the frustration was vented on me.
Mind you, readers, humble old me ain't complaining, I just wish that people can see past their situations and emotions before acting rashly to the people and things around.
I used to have a friend who regarded academics above friendship. He became the class black sheep and eventually an outcast. 2 years after we graduated, he committed suicide, supposedly due to peer and mental pressure.
And he was an honest kid.
Praise to those who live their lives with courage and optimism, woe to those who think their emotions are almighty. For me, I still make mistakes, but hey, we're all human.
So where do we all stand in this tiny isle of hits and misses? :wink:
Gosh. Was looking at some other's blogs and just realised how long I've been blogging.Noticed I'm not a very popular blogger too~ Probably due to overly self-indulgent posts.
Nonetheless, it's been a crazy time! I'm gonna revert that uncoolness a couple of days back with the blading later! :wink:
Yes! It's that time of the week again! We're headed for the isle and nothing can stop us now! Except the unpredictable rain that's been coming and going!
Nonetheless, I finally bought myself a cheap pair of blades from the supermart - learning it would be...interesting. After all, the 2 chaps have very little clue about it except it's easy to get the hang on it. But well, based on comments so far about my height being easy to topple over, we'll see that tomorrow.
So tomorrow's beachside run is cancelled just for blades learning - so says the coach who needed 20 push-ups to finish any run - so I hope I can get it all in later.
Praying for good weather and balance then :wink: A blader finally!
Okay okay~ Today's series of pictures will laugh your socks off~!
It all started at 5PM when mom invited her friends for a little get together before this performance at the local GRC thingy. Now I didn't know what the event was, except it sounded important that they were invited to dance - and guess what, I was the server over dinner, and the photographer on location. Here we go!
So I was there right, armed with my sis's digital cam. What I didn't know was what the hell was going on.
As soon as I joined them at this huge tentage, they were already on stage doing their thang'
All these things were like happening right - and all this while, they had this huge banner announcing the event at the back of the stage but I paid no attention to it.
The programs went on, and on, with the group dancing and all this karaoke thing right - Hokkien song in progress about a dirty old man?!
Of course, some of us were bored out of our hair - mind you, this kid's watching, but he's facing the rear (observe the chairs). I was pretty much seated the same way.
Of course, the babes couldn't resist having their pictures taken after all the dressing up.
And they had this Aedes Mosquito - human-sized - running around in panty hose. Um...yeah. "?!" right?
Now this is the best part: the man who so seldom appears around here, strolled right into the tent! The Mayor himself! And it got me thinking what on earth is so important here!
He made a speech - as usual - in a mixture of languages.
I think it's timely to post this picture, again.
Anyways, an announcement was made, and everyone started making for the main road leading to the neighbourhood. I was like, "?!" again and again. All this time I was laughing to myself, thinking what I was doing there in the first place!
The important people started lining up in front of the neighbourhood sign for the cameras.
The mayor then had his hands place on a knob which I thought, honestly, would reveal a new block of apartments.
But nooooo~! He hit the switch and the sign lit up~! It was a signage lighting up ceremony with fanfare! GASP!
Yes! Lighting this! This is supposed to be new?! But nooooo~! It's been there for almost 6 months! Okay okay, truth is, the neighbourhood's upgrading is finally complete...um...yeah.
And I thought it's timely to post this picture, yet again.
Yeah, so, imagine my diao and dot X 3 and my big ball of sweat when I was there. It was just so...wrong. I mean, I had to content with 10 plus dancers running around with a big Aedes Mosquito, a horrendous fright to finding myself in a GRC activity, and worst of all, to witness my neighbourhood's LIGHT UP! I'M SO UNCOOL!
I'm soooooo UNCOOL!!! I'm a GRC PARTICIPANT! SO UNCOOL!!!!!!
Next time, make sure you know the function you are attending brothers and sisters, before you turn out like me...SO UNCOOL!!!!! :shock:
I just cannot comprehend how some people can be immensely popular just by being - them! It's like, you throw bubble tea out and it's a craze. But this craze runs as long as it's like - around? And it's not like you put on Nike and you're hip, or Prada and you're cool. Some people just have it? I'm just amazed, and envious all the same~ It's like a phenomenon!
Now how did this come about? After someone told me about somebody...with 3 Friendster accounts, endless suitors, and immense popularity - and he's not even a pop star (at least not yet - circa, unconfirmed)! How is that remotely possible? I can't figure this out. Found it quite quirky, and amusing, because it's not like I haven't seeen it before, just that the after thoughts makes the situation irresistably coffee-topic all year round. And it's definitely not been mentioned here.
Interestingly, if there's such a word, I know some of these popular folks to be quite, um, reserved about themselves. Not that I'm complaining, urban heroes are good for health - at least they become role-models to follow. Of course, being my age, I'm way past that, probably in the age to create them than follow after. The incredible thing is, some of them are just charming enough to be one, not really by will but more often than not, by fate. Being human, we are all attention seekers of course. Popularity doesn't hurt definitely, but once it blows over, it's like an orgasm without flush. And honestly, some of these folks turn pretty ugly thereafter when they grow up.
So as some try to grasp the end of their era, others continue to hold onto their steads. One classic case was a girl I know who was incredibly pretty, great personality (although often viewed as flirty and bitchy), who still has the power over people. Although not a fair comparison - in terms of gender - but she's still young and continues to rule over people in general. Of course, granted she's not an airhead that's why. But the secret to that is to know the strengths of what physical beauty holds coupled with timely use of intellect, when combined, exuberates great details in communication.
A sad case I heard of was a guy who fell out of his "cuteness", went on to try sustain it, failed miserably cos he was constantly surrounded by gawking voyuers eager for his attention which he had too little time to give, and became an absolute hangover. He's come out of it better now I suppose, treasuring what he has and who's still with him. Sorry can't give too much details to protect the mentioned's identity.
So bottomline, where does it leave common people like you and me with average or not so good-looking looks, bodies, personalities, and intellect (oh, throw charms in too)? Be glad that there are heroes to worship and dictators to thrash, cos without them there's little to sneak preview and bitch about. Of course, the critical thing is, at least we know them, and they somehow remember you.
The only consolation - we're the workers making the heroes. They need us as much as we need them. :wink: [LINE] Okay, just to refresh, I had a post that was unceremoniously dropped because the server took a dive last night. The story was about my driving.
As the story goes, picked up my sis at the school she's teaching, and had to get her to NIE for a project submission. Anal thing was, we had to be there in 15mins. Now that's a 25 minutes off-peak cruise shortened to a 15 minutes mad dash at peak traffic hours.
I hit my infamous 130 for the first time on local roads, swerved wrecklessly on ends till she said, "I think we can be a little late."
Nonetheless, having to look out for patrols was the scariest thing besides having to swerve a really light car round tight bands at breakneck speeds. We didn't get there at 5:00pm of course. Sad to say. We only got there at 5:03pm.
Still, that was type with more gusto and flair last night. So let's pray this post gets through. :wink:
I spent 2 hours posting here and tblog went *poof* yet again. "Attempt to fix some issues"??? Man it's been alot of issues they've been fixing. Okay, sorry, just bitching.
So we're all stuck here then. Till I remember what I posted, perhaps later then. :wink:
Tell me about yesterday. What was it that put you in this predicament? Hmm...I see. So it rained and you felt silly and you destroyed all that you believed. In your head? Wouldn't you want to reconsider, that perhaps, there is some hope? Yes, a beer would be great, but we're not done. You have to tell me about yesterday. Not the day before. Yesterday. Yes. Your silence is quite astounding all of a sudden. No I don't doubt that. I think you will tell me. About yesterday. Okay, let's start with Tuesday then. Alright, you don't wish to remember Tuesday. How about Monday? You wanna talk about Monday? Right. Then let's just talk about yesterday. No? Hmm...okay. Let's hear about last night then. No, I won't tell anyone. Yes I promise. I won't tell. Let's talk about it. Okay. So you're sure you'll tell me about tonight? Yes, I'll listen. That's okay, I don't smoke. Because I don't like the smell. No no, please, help yourself if it makes you comfortable. Yes, I'm all ears. [LINE] It's...been a really long week. If I can faux bold myself for some shielding, I'll be faux bold.
Someone sent me an SOS last night, and all of a sudden, I remembered being 16. The night before, I recalled me being 26. Half a day before that, I brought back being 18. In this week alone, I revisited being 12 to being today. I'm now on Baron's hoping to crash in bed and not dream.
I'm getting slower quicker than I anticipated - and that, is a really bad sign. In this blog alone, I have self-censored my writings by up to three-quarters, and it's beginning to show cracks from the passive and suppressive containment.
Prior to this entry, I pondered what the consequences of posting full-blown my thoughts, and I retracted hesitantly - differently from the past. Considerations to be beyond myself has pulled full-stop, short of making that complete entry. Instead, I chose a dialogue, and I picked a song.
Yes, they were right. I am difficult to fanthom.
I was asked a simple question last week - what drives me? Then I was queried what my motivation was. Following that, I was asked the simplest of all questions - a "how?"
I have a gift. This gift is one that has been bestowed with great courage and planning on me, to test my being. I was bestowed the gift.
Of foresight amidst blindness.
My 16 year old being had since long passed avid remembrance, but with a little effort, I propelled a prophecy to comfort and calm. Memories that had to be switched on and flooded in an instant - that's what it's like. And now that I'm no longer sober, I'll reveal plans which I think I'll remove when I am.
(Cursor Blinks)
I have a request. If you see this, you didn't see this.
(I wrote something, but deleted it after all)
I have a question. Do you believe in fate? Do you have faith in fate? You see, I'm a half-being, Demi-Angel, Demi-Devil, Demi-Human. I can foretell, but I am not absolutely sure. And I am human.
What drives me? Sometimes I think I'm already dead. But I hung around either because I couldn't let go, or people couldn't. What's the difference? I know, as you read on, you feel heavier on the topside and shabby in the heart. But trust me, this would be forgotten as soon as I put a new post over later. To mask the fact that I am floored. Completely floored by a gift I asked not of, a talent I chose not for.
By the way, anyone need tbucks? I've accumulated quite a bit even after spending them on showy features which I eventually removed anyway. And, I chose red across this board for luck, not horniness.
Darn, 8.8% kicked in.
"What ever happened to staying up at 4 o'clock, forget all that's all behind. To think about the times we sit and cried. But I talked to myself, no words not a sound, there's evil around haunting me. But I talk to myself, my heart's beating loud, and louder. What ever happened to calling me at 4 o'clock, and talk till the day is alive? About the things that made us sit, and cry. What ever happened to you and I at 4 o'clock? Are we missing a beat in time? To have all my heart, as we sit and cry. But I talk to myself, no words not a sound, there's evil around haunting me. But I comfort myself, my heart beating loud, like the world falling down, imprisons me. But I talk to myself."
The last time I remembered burying my face in my hands was...I can't remember. Forgive me, it's having too much in an hour. But surprise surprise, my sentence construction and spelling are still pretty decent.
Now. I need to refresh. When was the last time anybody did anything constructive with a poor old man like me? [LINE] I'm running out of energy to think of something intelligent to type here. So for this post, it'll be my dumbest collection of mischieves and misdeeds:
#01 - Killed my ex-neighbor's plants cos I hated the daughters (she never caught the culprit, cried to my mom) #02 - Wet the chalks in class to get back at my teacher who screamed at me (she destroyed the chalk board and stormed off) #03 - Sent somebody's profile in sex chat channels for the fun of it (um...he became an overnight star?) #04 - Taught my sis how to use the Thumbdrive by plugging it and holding it there (the pose was classic) #05 - Held up some feeds to my dad's old one-foot arrowana but never fed it (jumped right out of the tank and bled like mad - dad was pissed) #06 - Told Angel to let the bowling ball go when she stepped up to the line for the very first time (she just dropped it there. wait. that's not my mischief?!) #07 - Wrote an exceptionally long email full of nonsensical philosophies to a friend out of the blue (let's see, it's history) #08 - Ever told a lecturer I was late because the mixing console caught fire prior to her lecture (I got caught for lying, but got an A* for novelty) #09 - Spoke in Hokkien to a non-Chinese voice-over friend to confuse her (she shot back with the worst Hokkien vulgarities I've ever known!) #10 - Elaborated on the pronunciation of my maiden name to the nurse during a blood drive after she got it wrong (she yanked the needle in and said in a soothing tone, "We just need your blood")
Hits and misses. Better ones next time.
Recognition time! Try find your name this round: Ling, thanks for writing, miss ya too! Alicia+Sabrina, you're on my hitlist for dinner on your paydays; Kevin, bon voyage, good riddance, and better get a First-Class Honors when you come back; Eric+Kenny, geez; Anne, I still think metallic veneers work better; Raven, oh come on! Sex on the beach should be on your mind man! Hong Hong, exams only, not asking you to jump without a parachute; Cherisse, stop showing me your skin! *slurp* Rina+Shin, been missing ya; Oaks, I need lobangs; Euge, your belly...woah! BIG! Alan, soccer's bad for health, should try Viagra; Jaz+Eric, hey when's my turn to be a lightbulb! Ogawa, CAN YOU HEAR ME DESUNE? Hiroki, dude! You promised to visit man! Jean, blah blah black sheep have you any fats? You finish the next line; Angel, muackz; last but not least, mom & dad me lurve me lurve.
Someone attempted to die - well, not exactly, but I think the pressure got too great that people do silly things at the spur. 01xLife saved. [LINE] Okay. Today's topic's about why some people indulge in making things difficult for others. For one, I think it's either pure stupidity or innoncence.
So my hunch was right - word got round that I screwed up. And the best part, I cheated (of all things) money. Now now, before we get all petrified, I have a question: why am I still so poor?! Why am I like sitting here blogging about this anyway?! Interesting stuff that gets around sometimes, till I don't know what's going on no more. [LINE] To put things in the right places - all the bloggers who left me messages: I'm truly a little slow in replies cos the comments added are...um...somewhat on old posts that I don't quite revisit. Thanks for the inputs! Meantime, um...keep blogging?
What a beautiful day today~! And all the Islanders woke late and missed the island altogether... [LINE] Lots of stuff to post, but later perhaps! This one will be edited in a bit. :wink:
Some interesting news about the music of Nightsound:
- at HMV, there were people trying out the album "Bleed", found it good, asked who played it, heard it's by a local band, and they just returned the CD with "not interested" - after Passion99.5FM and Power98FM, Nightsound never made the airwaves again - presskits for the latest "I" album were sent out to major publications for review after being requested for, none did - only publication ever appeared was done in IS magazine, with flaws in the report - song lyrics by Nightsound ever appeared on several blog sites - there's been an small occult following for Nightsound, although sales for the albums remained relatively low - at about a piece every month since 2003
Through chance and fate perhaps, I got to know a little predicament which, sad to say, I found quite hilarious until moments ago.
That's pretty mean of me.
Alrighty, not to put things out of context, I'll actually write something about...Love, and in by no means, bushy.
Something which I've learnt: you give but do not necessary receive. But giving is what makes you happy more than receiving. Search hard enough and it's all true.
We all love kids. Perchance you see a kid squatting in a corner of the toy store, lost and crying, we would just bring them to the front counter. The mom comes round, thanks no one, screws the kid, and goes on their way. You'll speak bad of the mom, but the kid's still in your good books.
Something else which I've learnt: you treasure but do not necessary show. But treasuring what you have does not necessarily mean having to show it.
We all treasure air. You breathe it every moment until we get thrown into the deepest end of the pool and struggle to keep the air in. You tell yourself to get above for more air eventually. Thing is, you don't go around proclaiming air is the greatest gift on earth.
Until anyone can give air, it wouldn't be fair to comment that people should be given, or not. And until air can be given, it wouldn't be fair to suggest air is necessary or not.
Ghosts don't breathe. Or do they? But you still believe in them. Shadows don't breathe. Or do they? But you see them everyday. You breathe, or did you forget to.
Time will slow things down, but until then, speeding it up only hasten the situation's anxiety (ok. I think I suck at words and phrases sometimes). [LINE] So. What is love? To give air freely? Or to receive air unconditionally? Remember. Nobody has the authority to proclaim air a commodity of possession - that means, no one can dictate, no one can judge.
One more thing, Aquarius was a great figure of the ancient beings, and he proclaimed, "For the things that flow, Time I will follow."
Sometimes, it's better to rule with the head, than the heart. I've answered all your questions here http://www.nightalive.com/med...
Jean, sorry to miss your call! Will email you soon! You got diverted cos I was on the phone~ [LINE] I have a premonition tonight. And I'm feeling really dizzy now. Later peeps. :wink:
I had all these pictures I took with my, ahem, cutie...BUT darn! Gotta wait till tomorrow to find that stupid cable to download them off the mobile~! ARGH! [LINE] Okay. Big exercise regime coming up~! Tuesdays and Fridays beach runs in the morning, morning swims on Mondays & Wednesdays, Thursdays likely on gym...all these before I hit the office? I think I'm killing me!
And what's all these for? IPPT. Trilogy. And, haiz. Ciggies.
Yeah. Yesterday's frisbee game dented my ass and now I can sit but not get up without support. Best part, doing potty is a pain in the ass...literally. Oh, tell you about this morning's wake-up stretches that hurt so badly, it made me laugh and hurt some more. Right...limbo...now I know how the word came about...your limbs go, "oh, it hurts till it tickles!" Right. Limbo.
Makes me wonder about Mumbo.
Okay. Buzzing off to bed for that nasty water therapy tomorrow. :shock:
Saturday was amazingly irritating - but I got what I want - to be an Islander!
Well it started with 3 clowns - Alan, Eugene and myself - making our way to Harborfront cos we wanted to know what being an Islander is all about.
Of course we had time to browse around. *Side note: this picture is vivid to the one of Angel... how I fell so hopelessly in...
In any case, it rained for half the day, so getting a lot of sun was remotely possible. Plus, somebody came late because he didn't want to get wet, yet eventually showed up with only an umbrella. ???
Nonetheless, there were frisbees flying, balls a kicking, and the sportiness started to show! :wink:
Of course, sharing the joy with little ones is always...joyful.
But the zanniness kicked in and...
...people started to act weird...
...really weird...
And as the sky darkens, the true intent of being at the beach side came.
The Way Kool band played at CoolDeck till late!
We were gleefully there!
With Eugene's girl - Lee Fern! Ha~!
...and the late comer - Kevin Pontik-I-Showed-Up-With-A n-Umbrella-Really-Late.
And the night ended Beautifully - See lah, ask you all join me don't want. Next trip coming soon! Goto the studiobaby forums for the next date! http://studiobaby.sg :wink:
It's hard not to be focused on any particular subject matter, hanging in limbo waiting for time. It's days like these that seem completely spaced out without any directions or maps to put yourself in any spot particularly. And the worst part - we lament about it but crawl to act.
These days, honesty is about looking at yourself in the mirror. :wink:
I couldn't stop laughing and feeling bad and pissed about this - I think people should check who they send their messages to carefully! I mean, I've been there, and it can be quite difficult to clear up sometimes, but bitching about somebody to another and sending to the person u bitching about is like...Mega-Funny! [LINE] Alright. Here's the low-down. The weather's been erratic - should rain but none came, just pure thunder and theatrics. Now, if it doesn't start, I think I'm gonna just sleep in the showers tonight. [LINE] Been feeling awfully weird lately. Perhaps its the unsettling of a brewing storm. I remember watching Cast Away a few times over, and each time, that solitude builds stronger against the tides. And finally when you break free, nothing beats going back to the deep end.
It's been more than 3 months since I've been hanging loose, amidst all that crazy hustle to settle into calm. I'm not working, am happy that I'm taking things slow, but passing days are grinding me out with obligations that seamlessly wrecked wicked.
It feels like watching time run out.
In any case, "I" is going on sale! [LINE] Grand plans are being drawn up for Trilogy also. I like the sound of that. "Tree-ler-gee". Like something that's suppose to end but keeps getting revived.
Think Aliens. They wiped it out, then Ripley was rediscovered. Then they wiped out the queen, then Ripley got caught again. Then they thrashed the place and killed them out, and Ripley gave birth to one.
There's this huge thing about being gay, it's like trend now? I've been hearing all these debates about declining interests in the opposite sexes due to the unbalanced equilibrium of work and power, and all that sliding understanding of straight partners - which invariably points to homosexualism - I'm like...okay. So, to be different, I'd be straight for a change. :wink: [LINE] It was 6am and everyone was packed and ready to move out. The trucks were already lined up as we assembled for the final bag check. The instructions were clear, pack all we needed, especially the maps and compasses. Next thing we knew, we boarded amidst the dawn for the ride of no return.
By the time we reached the outskirts, the air warmed up a little. The final briefing before the despatch was short, and sharp. My buddy and myself were the 16th group to sign in for the test, and got on our way as soon as our first objective was assigned. The game rules were simple: Hit all the check points and trace the marks at each before returning; anything less, we do it again.
We got to a good start with the first 3 within an hour. Hearsay has it that the fastest team to return till date was 6 hours, but 3 within the hour got us rather excited. 12 total. How difficult can it get? As we set forth for our fourth checkpoint, we ran into 2 other teams with similar luck. That's when I had a feeling something's not right.
It was soon clear that the 6 of us had similar checkpoints next, we shared the same one with another, and the 3rd has one just 10 meters away. An easy alliance formed quickly for we thought it would be faster to spot anything out in the wild. Initial fears subsided and the courage strengthened.
As we moved along, someone within the group complained about being hungry. My theory was: we finish this crap, we'll get better meals than combat rations in a bag. But thinking we have a little time, we stopped to eat briefly. And that's when we got lost.
Frankly, we were going in the same direction really quickly, probably hitting the objectives really soon. But as we stopped to rest, we forgot how our initial enthusiasm got us bashing through the vegetation. Now that we got comfy, bashing became more cautious. So we decided to trek less engagingly, desperately avoiding leaves and trunks and webs and all things foul. As we deviated, the direction became less obvious, and the target area started shifting.
3 hours into the game, we never found the 4th checkpoint. My buddy started whining, and my feet dragged. As quickly as it formed, the alliance broke then, each team blaming the next for the detours. I kept my silenece, and just let the rest bicker on till it was decided to go on seperately. I expected it, just didn't want to argue.
I'm not saying my buddy's a wussy, he's really sweet actually. As we trekked along, he offered biscuits and water as if I needed them really bad. I politely declined even though he was slowing down a whole lot. We pressed on after determining our last position, and good grief, the 4th checkpoint showed up.
We killed the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th within the next 3 hours, and suddenly, the hope of breaking the record was lost. Nonetheless, going back was now priority, and my buddy was seriously wearing himself out pretty quick with self pity. And to make it worse, a storm brewed. In between, new alliances formed and broke, but we eventually decided to just get on our own way.
(My buddy did all our laundry after that little exercise - which was really nice! LOL)
The 10th was a witch-hunt. We were dead sure we head it on after searching that same area for the last hour. It didn't help with all that rain soaking us to the bones, and GPS was just something not even in use yet. We stopped to rest for just 5 minutes, our bodies just heating up the chill with vapor off the uniforms. When it started to get cold, we just kept moving.
8 hours into it all, the 10th didn't show up. We ran into 3 teams this time looking for that same one, but none had the luck. By then, it was way past noon and we were heading to dusk by the minute. The downpour shifted to a drizzle, and that's when trekking along a stream got me waiste deep into a pot hole. They fished me out, but leeches...almost a hundred of them...got my legs. At that point, nothing could remove them, so I had to press on with the little bloodsuckers along.
As the rain stopped, we hit the 10th. That's when the alliance broke yet again, and we got to it by ourselves. My legs were aching, and starting to numb from those little shits that wouldn't let go. I couldn't itch, they would have just tore into the flesh. So. That was that. We just aimed 11th.
By the time we hit 8 at night, we were completely wasted. The second siren for recall was sounded in the distance, and we were already too deep into the place. My buddy was already at his worst state of mind and as he sat under a tree, I goaded him to just return to base. He didn't even look at me, and muttered, "we done for." That, was excruciating. That, lost it all.
I mustered myself and said I'll get him out, pulled him up, and started brisk walking. I didn't care which direction we were headed, I just pulled him along towards the direction of the last siren, in total darkness. No torches, just moonlight.
The last siren sounded at 9. My light from the watch was beginning to dim. That would be the last call. If none heads back by 10, the trucks will move out, and the remaining teams will be picked up at midnight. That siren was really distant, and that wasn't good.
We continued on as quickly as we can, regardless that we have not finished all our checkpoints. We just wanted to get out first, and fight another day. We would need it. And the leeches weren't helping at all. And yes, we missed the first shuttle out.
I remember it was half past ten, when we first caught a glimsp of another team. They were seated by some small boulders, completely helpless and distressed. As we got closer, they just watched us approach. When I asked what they were doing, they just looked distant. They were even more lost than we were, and with only 5 checks flagged, they were ready to retake the whole fucking experience. My heart sank and I flashed my team card to see if we could help them out. None of the checkpoints tallied, and they could not be helped at all. And that made them even more resigned.
I stood for a brief moment looking at them, the vapors out of their mouths were small. That was a bad sign of fatigue, ready to roll over kind of condition. I pulled them up and asked my buddy to do the same. As we did that, he leaned over and asked if we really want to burden ourselves further. I looked at him straight. He had a point - the longer we returned, the more we were gonna blow our own chances. I hesitated for a bit, and just said out loud, "we're in this together. It doesn't matter anymore." With that, my buddy nodded, and the four of us just got on our way.
Sure enough, within the hour, someone spotted a search light in the distance. The siren went off, and we all turned. Base camp.
As we approached, an instructor halted us and lamented we were awfully late. As he examined our cards, he showed an unbearable disappointment. The other team dismayed. The instructor then hurried us towards a waiting truck and got us on immediately, all this time my buddy protesting to have my legs examined, which I refused. I just wanted to get out of that place. The tail board closed and the truck started its engines.
I shouted out to the instructor and asked if we were the last to return, but apparently, a few other teams were still out there, and 2 had gotten themselves way lost. I said a silent prayer as we moved out, and as we reached the bunks, I discovered most of the leeches had been killed by the pressure in the boots. But my socks were drenched in blood.
My visit to the medics the next morning proved useless as the bites were too intensive. I could walk, just that blisters formed too much for comfort. Half a bottle of powder and 2 pairs of socks made it only decent.
Nonetheless, the results were tabulated - the last 2 teams were rescued by 4am I think, and half the lot failed the hunt. Granted, 10 checkpoints made the pass, and we narrowly escaped the retest.
Did I also mention my buddy brought me a hot cup of coffee that night when we were all showered? :wink:
Old school was what Angel said, not quite used to such a drastic style change. I guess that means I'm back on the drawing block for this song. [LINE] Visited a friend who had an accident on Friday - well, not exactly visit, more like looked him up. He was on the phone when a van drove past and the mirror smacked right into him from behind. They got him into the hospital and the doctors were like...I don't wanna be mean here but...probably got irritated with him asking why no scans and works and all. The low-down was - he was okay, probably suffered minor concussions from the incident. He called me after he was discharged and was already talking about life and death. And getting that call in the middle of Orchard Road was not exactly a very convincing experience. And after I heard he was okay, I couldn't help but laugh my ass off.
But yeah, glad you're okay dude, least you can tell everyone how getting to know a mirror is like! [LINE] The horrors on Friday night - we were invited by Auburn's Ephiphany to their Noize showcase, but little did we know, we walked right into the grand prize presentation! The three of us (Eugene, Alan and myself) were like "WTF?" Minus all that glitzy facade, I think we three felt like fools lost in a sea of...youth participants.
Nonetheless, they made a pretty good impression in many people. Something I imagined they would anyway. Stellar performance from a band with limited gig experience, although, in all honesty, only half the band would make the perfect picture at this point. I seriously would love to support them the whole way, but with some in the band not really seeing eye-to-eye over the broader picture of their future, I'd rather stay on the sides for now - warm the bench so to speak.
To keep in the loop, visit http://auburns-epiphany.blogs... [LINE] And Now, time for that incredibly special, anytime-can-happen all-stars mention!
Al you ass! You still owe me money! When the hell am I gonna get it back? :shock: *ahem* Support local music, check out these guys: mizeryFree Mistaken Identity Auburn's Epiphany Morphy Electrico Nightsound Concave Scream Sherene's Closet Observatory As you can see I'm just a tad lazy to link these good folks. Type their names in and you should come up with a few good searches yeah!
2 people in my life that I would like to remind them of this: there's really no such thing as a beautiful world. In as simply as I can to put it down in the English language - being forgotten is to be treated as non-existant, but being ignored is to be taken as not being welcomed.
