Voktsch

Exercising a 48 hour countdown starting Friday night didn't stir the heat up on targets I wanted. Avoiding a blowdown, it was a good trial nevertheless. Rational voices have already descended upon me to do this. Very much, I would like to believe that His Grace is sufficient and to live again within those means in the months to come. The stumbling block is my disengaged mindset, that I apparently reason as a charade of split personalities. You may know me from one of these: the emo-silent stoner, table dumbass, syndicate genius to outgoing fun-seeker or something else. Truth be told, I haven't been forthcoming with myself or anyone about who I am. I'm not one. There are plain lots of pointless excuses in the mental cloud for why this is so. The rational core is in control, its not absolute, but it has to be stronger. Pray unceasingly for more glue!

On a light-hearted side, if you haven't seen, Dick Lee put up a rather revolting encore at his concert. Another great photo series with a different style.

Fabian

Mediocre minds opt for mediocrity. The mind is the enclosure you will it to be. Koi fish live up to decades, but grow only as large as the size of the pond allows. In the course of a few months, I have gained a love-hate relation with the pond downstairs. Its a pool of appealing zen-like tranquility juxtaposed with irritant buzzes or splashes of life. Deciding that life in the pond wasn't already colorful enough, guys and gals of .10 have set up shop touting Koi fish, goldfish, guppies, big and small, in charity's namesake. Here's a scene of the fishmarket at noontime.



Meet the new owners! Temporary euphoria, fish not for bringing home.




Mindful of the ecological balance of the pond, I'm sure was actually not the intention nor concern of these fishmongers that day. Rather, the survival of the new occupants hang on the lifeline as a family of over ten catfish or predators that were there weeks before wait eagerly to snap up the small fishes. Necessity of human intervention calls for the emergence of the new age fishermen. Thus culminates the great catfish hunting and netting operations.




After what seemed like half a day, Fabian, the alpha catfish is finally netted, whilst outnumbered 4 nets to 1 catfish. That took about 2 hours nevertheless. Great success Xp.

Dwelling back to my entry inspiration, I need to make the weekend right. The likes of IAs and IOC need addressing, I have mindlessly spent away the time I bought early during the long holidays. Guide me with a fruitful acute state of mind (without caffeine). Countdown 48.

Earth Day Karma

The world, or at least the "enlightened" proportion of the race, commemorates Earth Day today. Or so, I would like to think of myself as being part of this enlightened group, wouldn't you too. It is without doubt that me and my peers possess the scientific competence and relevant know-how in understanding the background reasons behind the recent re-emergence in global concern on the climate. But just like the man on the street, we let this day pass insignificantly without any drastic changes or additional money spent to save the Earth. Like you, I didn't care two hoots about it today and only remembered what the occasion was in the evening when I watched the Earth Day special on National Geographic. But as destined inheritors of this planet, we need not be planet-saving gizmo inventors or decision makers to change the state of affairs. Basically, its down to wastage at an individual level.

The statistics come into play if we consider how terribly miniscule, our tiny island nation, and even nano-scale our school community is, in necessarily effecting the world at large. Now that's where I think the numbers are becoming awfully disproportionate and alarming. To experience this first-hand, you only have to crawl painfully into school tomorrow morning in whatever iron horses befit your stature. By this, its foremost a complain against the worsening (Dover Road) traffic in accommodating an additional level of IB students as well as pure disgust at the inefficiencies of needlessly running engines of vehicles stuck in the traffic. I aptly call this group of people Air-Con-Squatters or ACSquatters. Everyone appear to be content in enjoying the vehicle air-conditioning almost as a daily ritual, that is as wasteful as it gets. Further insult comes from being that a huge proportion of these vehicles are SUVs and large wagons, sitting only a parent and a kid. Can anyone find another example of a local institution that has that much impact along a whole stretch of road and such a uniquely huge proportion of ACSquatters?

Then, let us consider the luxury of air-conditioning for all classes. Its a simple all-encompassing privilege, that we rightly have appreciation for in our sunny climate. We now have AC in not one, but two huge buildings. And there are still instances when the AC is colder than is required to be conducive for lessons. You likely know which appliance is responsible for most of energy consumption at home. This is slightly politically incorrect, but if people didn't wear ties that much, they wouldn't need to keep the AC at artic levels. The Japanese government recognized that relation and changes to decade long work-attire requirements have been made. And heavens, I won't talk about the power-guzzling Intel chips in the computer labs. Those are likely a bad decision of the ministry. Well, waste waste waste. Then there are printed circulars that are never read. Not necessarily useless, but increasingly ineffective and wasteful.

If you consider the amount of emissions an average individual in the normal institutions would be responsible for, compared to what is here, the ratio is definitely appalling. And, much of the extra is gone to unnecessary waste. Multiply that by the roughly 2600 of us (a number far higher than most institutions), it speaks. There is generally a culture of tolerance for these wasteful comforts, which I find reeks of laziness, that are natural for anyone whom is used to all these for years. But since when was change without some discomforts. I'm not against affluence, but I would rather trade flaunting that fuel-guzzling SUV or luxurious Mercedes for a Prius, and it did give me a better reputation anytime. And if one still insists on driving that, consider donating some solar panels to power the AC off the grid as a bought right to continue flaunting the politically correct way. I know there are people who live at the poles of Singapore that genuinely require transportation, they are not the only victims. A genuine compromise if within possible means called walking to school and less lazy kids who wake up earlier without daddy driving them to the institution, will definitely do everyone and the planet a heck lot of good. Consider working some Karma on those carbon emissions of yours.

Note on the author: His daily means of transportation to the institution by BMW (Bus, MRT, Walking).

失控时空

How time flies! We tip across the pivot of a term this weekend. I know I haven't accomplished much, being desperately in need of a paradigm shift. Am split at the crossroads between injecting colors into the tapestry and strengthening the foundations. Can these onlooking travellers please motivate me to drink more tea and clear my clouded vision. I need a library partner too >.<".

Update: Completely forgot that I had originally wanted to rant about the jutting crown of my newly emerging wisdom tooth. Guess my mental worries are enough to make me forget that.

Cantilena

This is a quick update on my life. I have been writing, in a bid to retain memories. Just that a lack of optimistic will has removed me from posting any entries over the long week. The recent portfolio submissions have highlighted to me how dismal I was in pride for my work. It was a tad longer, 18 pages, of similar figures to those who predictably would do well. I got rebutted for that, had nothing much in response. But still I refuse to buy into the nomenclature of some disappointing people.

Yesterday's class party was a blast. The yummy gourmet prawns that should have been the star of the show, apparently ran out halfway. But nevertheless, a fun-filled gathering that jerked me out of my stun. Morning came, mission success!



Last stormy Saturday, I came to have a new level of appreciation for the pair of hiking shoes that I wear primarily everywhere. Rushing through the torrential rain that involves a trek through puddles aplenty, the tails of my jeans were soaked. Whilst my toes stayed dry, thanks to some synthetic fur like fabric that slips water off the sides. They had seen action in muddy puddles on Pulau Ubin, but I had hardly realized it at that time.

That same evening, I attended a remarkable performance by Qin Li Wei and the NUS Conservatory. The prowess of the cello master has affirmed my belief in that instrument's ability to hold its own against the violin. Long unceasing applause for the dynamic play was rewarded by 3 encores of melancholic pieces each time and finally a spiffy walkout.

On Monday, a surprise visitor, Mr Chan, made a spiffy appearance to pay tribute to the cheap prices of goods and commodities in Down Under, not. High tea at IKEA. Another 3 months till we see him again.

Wednesday, second !nk Meeting of the year, was a gloomy day. Can't say any considerable work seems to have been done by the editorial. Dare say only a miracle will allow an April publication. Heads should be rolling, head editor!



Thursday, the rains came. Once more, I felt alive and purposeful. We had an assignment and code to crack by June, competing against other school teams. It seemed highly doable, and the rivals appeared clue-less. That felt good.

Lastly, I would like to mention a gaffing game of frisbee I have been indulging in. Throwing and catching skills aside, the competitive game involves breaking into sudden bursts of runs to make a save. In a short span of 15 minutes, the dashes would have anyone sweating profusely. Imagine much good that 2 hours would do for your sprinting abilities. I attribute my radical improvement in shuttle-run timings precisely to this. I'm one to appreciate a good sweaty workout and adrenaline.



That concludes a low random chance of my posting. I shall hopefully be alive when I return.

Dream like you'll live forever, Live like you'll die tomorrow.

Bookkeeper

A note in the days of mobilus ruckus. The sight and moment bearers have been sheared. Leading up to the passing, joissance leaves a path of riddles. Bigot brews, yonder uncertainty. My retreat stalks his defeat. Force march the iron horse. Sic transit gloria mundi.

18th Leg Up

Yahweh, 'dis a beautiful day you have created. Thank you for the sights, songs and wonders of life eighteen strong. On this day, you casted a most passionate glow over the dawn and a thundering din loud as your name.

To everyone in the Class of Staplets, thanks for all the well wishes and handshakes. Love you guys, and of course our dear CTs, for trying to brighten up my day.

The clockworks of the world have a way of taking people by surprise. In the past few months, I have had the opportunities to know more new people and adventuring into an art I have overlooked. Opening windows that I had once thought were long closed to me. I had been gifted with foresight, but priced with inaction. Despite the encounters, I never got my wish of seeing D's radiant smile. Let the spirit not dampen.


.. and the story continues ...