Drag Draw

Partner, we made it! Yes, I'm glad for you but there is more of the mind to sharpen. Next time we will take a longer shot, you me, i.

Had been painfully negative sounding due to greater influx of negative news but am better after today's run. Have you followed the case of the young Nigerian footballer recently executed last week in Singapore for drug trafficking? The opposition and newspapers shied away from this issue involving the mandatory death penalty. Drugs ruin lives, why care? Well, the presiding judge admitted that there was insufficient evidence that Tochi, age 19 when caught, knew they were drugs at all. But since the death penalty was mandatory anyway, no choice.

Once on a tour of the subordinate courts, I remember the words of a young lawyer about sentences fairly meted on justice and mercy. The reasoning for this verdict shouted a deafening disappointment at me. Mercy had not the slightest room. That judge hid behind the law. Now it cannot be undone. Tochi died at age 21.

"Oh my God, they killed Kenny!" isn't that funny anymore.

Time Travel

Wow. Really out of this world dream that I had: Went back and altered much of my unpleasant history. I discovered this over a year ago, that dreams resonate with much of your most innate desires, this is still true.

Why is the world so screwed up?

Been googling a bit on this, but turned out nothing much. Baffling, considering we all have some inkling why so but the answer is never on the table. Accidents, coups, deaths, executions, placed alongside these my troubles are immensely minute. The only similarity they share being the quality of surprise and rapid rate of spiralling descend. Its a human issue. Years ago, I came to the conclusion that the world would be a better place without people, sadly I think the same today.

Under my breath, I subconsciously chanted "No" throughout the week. No to wishful thinking?

Help me to appreciate the world if you are able. Photography lets me discover a spirited face in an uncertain wilderness, but the flip side is just as ugly. I'm not satisfied with the world and myself, yes I wonder what will.

Heart of the Moment

Spin the clockwork of time we are ever so familiar with, the week has slipped past once again. Another friend has left our midst for land of Fish n Chips. The good food and company bargains will be missed.
Trooped into a court of wham-bang high speed surfing and shooting. First game of badminton in the year, looking towards more action ahead. I'm starting to love my new instrument of sight I named Ptichka, meaning little bird in Russian. This kind of bond comes after toil and use on the battlefield.


Seeing what she does or doesn't, its limited by my stock lens now. Additions in time to come when moolah showers during Chinese New Year. Well, there's 72km overnight cycling next week for those still beaming with energy.

Fits

Ah! Dereliction of duty that is.

Fitch

Bumming around the National Library on Friday after hour long derivatives, I had some small talk with kiasu people. They rightly had half the point on not blanketting the future. We should now start thinking about scholarships.

Madness must have gotten into me yesterday. The idea itched pereniously from morning, and behold I got a Nikon D40 over a Canon EOS 400D by evening. Blow, my lens now cost a heck lot more! Nikon DSLRs have this Soviet-esque look that were somewhat of a turnoff for me over the EOS, but are undeniably good workhorses. The D40 is budget but still lightweight solid. Whatever the case, its an incremental upgrade to the little kitten I have managed with amazingly. I shall start playing with bokeh next week.

Anyone has telephoto AF-S lens I can play with?

Burst

Red eyes and flushed faces emitted the inferno within. To collapse is not easy, the stakes are high in midst of the race. Hit hot concrete and your limbs are done, not. Heart pounding, all the willing. Lips parched, breath searing, there is no fascination. Think: Today, shall we break the rules? Pain is just fear leaving the body. Dump the peripherals, flag off the charter. Raise, beat, abuse. Inferno impediment breaks cold. Be back tomorrow to conquer my friend.

Voices of a Distant Star

The notion of long distance travel at inhuman speeds intrigue me a lot. The rumble of progression is truly felt, and that keeps my mind flowing. Lots of my writing happens on train rides, while cars and buses strain my mind. I count planes and cruise ships as other conducive places I could do writing or programming on.

This partly contributes to my liking for hardy nifty gadgets, mobility is common to all these useful companions for travel. Tools for capturing thoughts and imagery, the speed and innovations are what sucked me into technophile-land. But tools shall remain tools, instruments to goals and purpose like reaching the peak of a mountain. I define my long term purpose as steering closer to God, my short term to fulfilling academic demands. Where does that leave the midst, but an appalling gap and big question mark.

It goes into my decade long problems, somehow I think I have the answer but probable fear and indecisiveness keep me back. That includes a concurrent blog on Wordpress. For what started out as a paranoia and secrecy hive, it has moved away from being one. My self reflection and encouragements deserve a little more cheer living elsewhere, there shouldn't be so much spite here.

Where does that leave the pen and paper? Rain and wash.

The title is of an amazing original story drawn and single-handedly compiled and animated by Makoto Shinkai in 2001. That's what set me thinking about distance. If you haven't seen it, ask me and be obliged.

Fireflies

That night, I marveled at the cold breeze flapping upon me.
Witnessed the dim stars
There was a message in the air
Leaving me spellbound
Fireflies in the dark are lights for each other.

That is my solitude and live fuel. The strongest flame, I have it now. The cold is the drawing medium, the flame is the writing instrument. I chugged to a halt, mouth-parched, satisfied.

It hasn't been put out yet. Let's see if it can illuminate the distance.

Mud Tredders

A day before, the company halted for a breather within the ghost town, the dreaded milestone reached predictably. Driven by irreversible passage of time, impossibility threatened if they ever turned back. Unease in mind, the night's rest tamed the day's fatigue and stress. Morning came today, the un-satiated sleepers woke to the guide's rowdy calls. Strenuous eyes fell upon the tarred trail leading on beyond the town. Clouded minds and blisters aplenty, they resembled not the newly embarking band behind. Biting reluctance, they tread on into certain danger. Keep them safe in prayer 'cos our fates are so closely threaded.

New Horizons

Coffee's finally working after an hour. Renewal is a painful and trying process. Had only 3 hours of sleep since the new year, but some magic keeps me awake and working, must be EE. =p

Attended a "festive" screening of the Blackadder series starring Rowin Atkinsons before he was widely known as Mr Bean later. Good ole British humor for the new year, Back and Forth is indeed a humorous and definitive piece of work capturing 4 centuries of British history.

Countdown was uniquely squawked for me this year, we got caught unawares the moment came so soon. Popped party poppers 10 minutes after the new year, missed all the fireworks, had to contend with some slow moving flares shot by bored people on the ships at the harbor.

Celebrating the wake of a new year, I took out yesteryear's long accumulated receipts and turned them to ashes. Here's to flushing out some unfair deals to where they belong.



And now to sleep, a cunning plan indeed.