The words of a bored man on a Saturday morning

And just like that another week has passed us by... one blink of an eye, a flash of light, a snap of the fingers, a bark of a dog... you get my drift. Despite having established a set of lofty goals to be achieved by March next year, I have not really taken the first step to doing anything about it yet. 

So now here I sit in front of my computer, my dog in my lap, a warm latte on my right as I wonder where to go from here. Diving it is then... now to get the time and place :)         

One day to the night run :)

Tomorrow marks the flag off of the inaugural Singapore Sundown Marathon/ Ultra-marathon. Taking into consideration the events of the past two weeks, I decided (way earlier...) that running a 10 km leg of a team event would be the least taxing on me. 

The latest news to hit the front page of our local papers was Dr Chee Soo Juan's testimony during his defamation hearing. Just for the record, I have no political prejudice  against anyone nor any party. I believe in electing the party most capable of improving the lives of Singaporeans and leading us into 21st century. In my opinion, Dr Chee's behaviour for the past couple of elections and in general can be described as extremely unruly and crude. As a Singaporean, I am terribly embarrassed by his behaviour and demeanor. Most of his attacks against the ruling party are simply unfounded and extremely personal. If he is the representative of what an opposition should be, then I'd say it'll be better to do without. With his semi-crazed accusations, wild gesturing and overall extremely quirky personality, how can he ever expect to be in a position of leadership... Then again my opinion is merely a reflection of how I, as a layman feel, about the whole saga. I admit I was sympathetic to his cause earlier when he first started out. But his failure to provide better alternatives to the current policies in place and is public slamming/ undermining of the government of Singapore during his "overseas conferences" has directly resulted in my lost of respect for him, both as a person and as a political leader. 

Ok on a less intellectual note, my wound's healing very well! I should be able to engage in some serious cycling and running soon. My cycling buddy's bike is finally up and we should be able to clock some serious mileage in Mandai and Lim Chu Kang soon. 70.3 in less than 4 months time... a lot to do in very little time. The thing about training for endurance races, especially very long distances, is that the process of training for the race is more memorable then the race itself. Taking last year's 70.3 as an example, I can barely remember how I ran the race, but the journey there, will forever be etched in my mind. 

Today will be spent reading, blogging and gymming. I am looking to make a year-end trip to the States and a June/July trip to Redang for diving. I hope these trips do materialize, I have been wanting to travel since forever.

Anyway updates on my third rocket test flight... I shelved the whole damn thing... It just ain't happening. R quoted something from Marlowe during our conversation last night. Its amazing how relevant an age old poem can be... enjoy.

It lies not in our powe to love or hate,

For will in us is over-rul'd by fate

When two are stript, long ere the course begin,

We wish that one should lose, the other win;

And one especially do we affect

Of two gold ingots, like in each respect:

The reason no man knows, let it suffice,

What we behold is censur'd by our eyes.

Where both deliberate, the love is slight:

Who ever that lov'd, that lov'd not at first sight?

- Christopher Marlowe;   

  Last verse of Hero and Leander: The First Sestiad

Rocket Science

The first ever experiment I engaged in, I seriously underestimated the force of the explosion. Upon ignition, the combustion/explosion triggered failed to propel the rocket to the intended flight and after a 3 second flight, exploded in a flash of light and debris. 

The second test flight wasn't successful either. The detonator did ignite but due to the poor wiring, failed to ignite the rocket fuel. Upon fixing the wiring and replacing the detonator, a subsequent test flight was initiated. This time round the detonator was faulty and after a series of pops, failed to ignite the fuel too. The arrival of the monsoon season hindered further proposed flights for the season.

The third official test flight just commenced a month back. Despite the rocket being in working conditions and all previous technical issues sorted out, a series of unfortunate events has grounded the test flight. The crew seems to be divided in two with regards to when the flight should be carried out and the type of payload to be placed in the rocket. The test flight will be postponed indefinitely till the team can get its act together. 

I am hopeful that the third flight will be successful. Nevertheless, I maintain my earlier stance that rocket science is a tricky affair and that a failed third attempt will not dampen the spirit of the crew in general. It is disappointing to have failed a third time, but good things don't come easy. We're still deciding whether to proceed with the third test attempt and we're hoping for the best.

What you need to know about me

Its amazing how presumptuous some individuals can get with time. 

Forever mistaking silence as weakness,

And always taking a mile when given an inch.

Here's my three-part reply to you, you and you.

There is no nice way to say it but I guess it was my mistake to attempt to do so

Nothing happened. Period.

Rejection is never easy, but there is a limit to how long one takes to get over it. 

Getting angry and all filled with angst is not going to help things out one bit.

Avoidance is the name of my game, that I know you should get by now.

No lies were told, no promises were made, so don't go faulting me on what I never did.

I would like to believe that there were sparks at the start.

There was no doubt at all that you left me aching for more.

Then reality came into play. 

Age is merely a number, you once told me, its the stage in life that matters most.

I tried to avoid rationalizing the whole situation, but I couldn't help myself there.

It was only then I realized we were merely passing travelers on the same road heading in opposite directions.

I have mentioned it before, and I will say it again.

My enthusiasm for the next chapter in my life has died for numerous reasons.

Despite having the cover of a thrilling adventure novel, my pages read more like an outdated travel guide to the deserts of the Sahara.

I know what I want despite being new to the whole idea and all, so thanks but no thanks. 

Don't try and know me cause sometimes things aren't the way you think they're supposed to be.

Know your limits before you bite of more than you can chew.

New Perspectives

Life isn't fair. Some people have it all, some people have nothing at all. If you think you're privileged, there is always someone who has that much more than you somewhere up there. If you think you're down in the dumps, then you can always find a hundred more living in conditions far worse than one can possibly imagine. Certain materialistic stuff such as wealth and... well basically wealth, can make that lifetime of existence a little bit more comfortable but it certainly is not the sole ingredient for satisfaction in life. I believe that happiness cannot be bought nor found but it has to be made. I hope I get it right. I am getting pretty bored of screwing things up.

You're not alone

I believe all storms will come to an end. I believe that the coldest nights will too past and that with every sunset, there will come a sunrise. I know that your strength, perseverance and tenacity will get you through this rough patch in your life. Most importantly, I want you to know that you're not alone as you find your way through what must seem like the darkest tunnel in your life. Just be strong and hold on.

Unfounded Fears

I always believe that it is only oneself that can truly find his/her own happiness. I believe that if you want something and know the full consequences of getting it, then go get it. Sitting around, rationalizing, thinking about it and blaming the whole damn world around you for your absolute lack of action isn't going to aid in any way whatsoever. Worrying about ever single damn opinion isn't going to bring you any closer to your goal. Ultimately you just become pushy and the whole thing becomes a mere obsession which you secretly not want to get away from. Nobody really cares if you'd ask me. Just you.

The truth about cats and dogs

Sumo, my not-so-little miniature schnauzer, has a rather peculiar temperament. He spends the bulk of his time lying patiently by the main gate awaiting the opportunity to unleash a chorus of unprovoked barks at any unsuspecting passerby. He used to be rather excited and all about chasing cats when on long walks but an extremely painful encounter with a tabby cat one and a half times his size 4 years ago taught him a lesson he will not be forgetting for a long time to come. 

I usually bring him with me when I am running errands for my mum or picking up my sister from school and this morning was no exception. After sending her to school, I headed back and on the way back to the house, he ran head on into a small cat. What was interesting to note was that the cat had no idea my dog and I were rounding the corner and he too was preoccupied with the search for a spot to defecate. Hence, he literally bumped into the cat. What happened was even more amazing. Both animals were totally stunned, caught entirely off guard and they just stood there, no hissing, no scratching nor barking for a good 3 seconds just looking at one other. The cat recovered first hissing and backing off really slowly, its fur bristling on ends. Sumo on the other end gave a short yelp and decided to depart gracefully without a scene, trotting away as if nothing ever happened. Ah, what a sight... its amazing how the simplest of things become blog-worthy after the single most boring three weeks of my life. 

I loaned my mum's vaios for the last two weeks so I could play KOTOR II, which I had loaned from a friend. The game was rather enjoyable and despite having played it numerous times previously, the sheer fact that the game was like a red herring's sort of game made it really fun as there were endless (alright numerous... there is a limit to being either good or bad) possibilities to how the game could end. I first ended the game as god-like Jedi consular/master and was looking to end my second round as a Sith Lord before I was rudely interrupted by the matriarch's incessant screaming and constant insistence that I had degenerated into a computer addict and been bumming around way too much. Well I am technically still recovering from an operation and have yet to fully recovered. There isn't much I can do but bum around. (Yet running her errands seem a perfectly good use of my time...) I returned the computer back to her, clearing off all the game files too as she insisted. Bah, I do need to get out of the chair too... but that sense of non-accomplishment at failing to finish as a Sith Lord... I guess I'll just have to get over it... Haha... 

The Adidas Sundown Marathon is just round the corner. I am pretty my wound seems to be healing very well and I should be able to manage the 10km run. I just hope the stitches along the side of the wound would de-solve by then as I am afraid that they might cause friction burns during the run. The last couple of weeks have been good on the mind and soul but terrible on the body. I foresee a lot of work to be done once I am up and about... However till then, there are cakes and donuts to be eaten, latte and tea to be drunk and tons of slouching around and nothing to be done... Cheers!!

"You better stop lazing around and give me back my computer! Go and do something! Like... Something! GO!" 

- the Matriarch on a bad hair day

Hope

Watching David Cook become the new American Idol certainly made me think twice about my own future to come. David Cook, a bartender from Kansas City (I think), rose from total obscurity to superstardom in a matter of a couple of months. Six months is all it took for Mr Cook to put himself on top of the world, a place he'd never imagined he'd be anywhere near in his lifetime. I don't know where I'll be in three months time let alone 6 months. As mentioned before in an earlier post, I have some dreams I'd like to fulfill before my 21st year draws to a close next year. I don't really need superstardom, but the perseverance, peace of mind and focus to get those goals.  

"At the end of the day, the show is about finding a star. In my opinion, David, you came out here tonight to win, and what we have witnessed is a knockout." 

- Simon Cowell to David Archuleta upon the conclusion of his last song. 

I need to do to my life what young Archuleta did to his song. And my journey begins today. Congrats Mr Cook on a race well done :)                      

It pays to learnt at another's expense

Another blogger was arrested yesterday for the publishing of racist remarks on his personal blog. There is a short write out in today's edition of the Straits Times and a follow up on a blog bulletin Tomorrow.sg. We live in a very different world these days; with more sophisticated technology resulting in increased connectivity amongst our society both in and out of cyberspace. Every little action or comment we make travels significantly further then we could ever imagine and every impact potentially generated greatly magnified by that many times more. I am pretty sure that when published that post, he never pictured himself being eventually arrested because of that very rash comment. 

Browsing through the after-math of the whole saga (We're a nation of serial drama lovers thanks to the negative exposure on our free-to-air channels... just an opinion...), it is pretty obvious that the poor blogger has already been taken to task. His actions should not be condoned and as observed, he has been clearly made an example of by the relevant authorities. 

With my disapproval of his actions explicitly spelled out above, I do sympathize with him in some ways too. He clearly had severe misconceptions about the limits of expressing a personal view online. He made too personal an attack on the man instead of the deed and that got him into trouble. This incident too raises another crucial issue that we need to address soon... Are we living in a racially harmonious society or a racially tolerant one? Sometimes I get the feeling we're living in this picturesque society, our faces and cheery news merely a mask for the true feelings we conceal all so well within ourselves. People like are clear indicators that we're not achieving that picture perfect society that we would like to have and that there is a lot more work to be done. Is racial harmony truly an achievable goal or a mere ideal, good to dream about, impossible to achieve?

"...pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion..." 

- The National Pledge