damian + turion

turion at 13:02

Sunday, May 27, 2007

turion at 23:22

Chris Brown - Say Goodbye

Look we gotta talk
Dang I knowI know it's just
It's just...
Some things I gotta get of my chest alright....
Yeahhhh...
Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, oh, whoa...
Listen..

Baby come here and sit down, let's talk
I got a lot to say so I guess I'll start by
Saying that I love you,
But you know, this thing ain't been
No walk in the park for us
I swear it'll only take a minute
You'll understand when I finish, yeah
And I don't wanna see you cry
But I don't wanna be the one to tell you a lie so

How do you let it go?
When you,You just don't know?
What's on,The other side of the door
When you're walking out, talk about it
Everything I tried to remember to say
Just went out my head
So I'ma do the best I can to get you to understand
'cause I know

There's never a right time to say goodbye
But I gotta make the first move
'Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
Cause I really don't feel the way I once felt about you
Girl it's not you, it's meI kinda gotta figure out what I need
(oh)There's never a right time to say goodbye
But we know that we gotta go
Our separate ways
And I know it's hard but I gotta do it,
And it's killing me
Cause there's never a right time
Right time to say goodbye

Girl I know your heart is breaking
And a thousand times I
Found myself asking, "Why? Why?"
Why am I taking so long to say this?
But trust me, girl I never
Meant to crush your world
And I never
Thought I would see the day we grew apart
And I wanna know

How do you let it go? When you,
You just don't know? What's on,
The other side of the door
When you're walking out, talk about it
Girl I hope you understand
What I'm tryna say.
We just can't go on
Pretending that we get along
Girl how you not gonna see it?

There's never a right time to say goodbye
But I gotta make the first move
'Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
Cause I really don't feel the way I once felt about you
Girl it's not you it's me.
I kinda gotta figure out what I need (oh)
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But we know that we gotta go
Our separate ways
And I know it's hard but I gotta do it,
And it's killing me
Cause there's never a right time
Right time to say goodbye

Listen to your heart
Girl you know,
We should be apart, baby I
I just can't do itI, I just can't do it
Listen to your heart
Girl you know,We should be apart, baby I
I just can't do it
And sometimes it makes me wanna cry
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Do you hear me crying?
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh

There's never a right time to say goodbye
But I gotta make the first move
'Cause if I don't you gonna start hating me
Cause I really don't feel the way I once felt about you
Girl it's not you it's me.
I kinda gotta figure out what I need (oh)
There's never a right time to say goodbye
But we know that we gotta go
Our separate ways
And I know it's hard but I gotta do it,
And it's killing me
Cause there's never a right time
Right time to say goodbye

turion at 15:34

Friday, May 25, 2007

[250507] 2 intakes down, 4.5 to go...

24th May 2007 marks the end of the 103rd Intake... the intake which everyone agrees to be the most problematic and fucked up to date... the bad attitude from the recruits, high MC rate, recruits running away from camp, recruits who're on super super super long MCs, you name the problem and we've probably faced it one way or another during the duration of this intake.

So it was with relief that it's finally over... i was supposed to attend OC night, but firrdaus had a spare ticket to the preview of Pirates of the Carribbean, no brainer, ditch the OC night and off we went to The Cathay. Caught a couple of interesting trailers, most notably National Treasure - Books of Secrets, Ratatoolee and not forgetting Transformers of course.

For the uninitiated, At World's End is the continuation of the story of Captain Jack Sparrow played by Johnny Depp... Last we saw of him, he was swallowed up by the Kraken in Dead Man's Chest and the movie picked off from the ending where Captain Barbosa appeared to have been brought back from the dead to rescue Jack from Davy Jones's locker... This year seems to be the year of trilogies, Spiderman trilogy, Shrek trilogy, Ocean's trilogy and of course the Pirates Trilogy... the movie itself i felt was a decent one, it aint a great movie but one in which isnt too bad to watch... it has its comical moments but overall i feel, it lacks depth and common logic in how everything progresses...

Pirates of the Carribbean At World's End - 2.5 popcorns out of 5

Caught Blades of Glory yesterday night... an extremely enjoyable slapstick kind of movie, with all the right human emotions and expressions played out in the plot. It had those classic moments where everybody and i really mean everybody in the cinema would simultaneous exclaim aloud in unison... a nice movie to catch with friends for a good stress release after a hard day's work...

Blades of Glory - 4 popcorns out of 5

2 intakes down, 4 and a half more to go... i cant wait to ORD, september 11th 2008... left with 15 more months before i reclaim my life back... the funny thing about the 103rd intake is that despite that fact that we proclaim it to be the worse intake ever, they've managed to win every award available to them... they are winners of the 103rd Footdrill competition in which we also garnered the best PC and best Platoon Sgt awards as well as claiming the best in Battalion award in addition to the fact that for the first time ever, Alpha did reasonably well in the games competition, getting 2nd in all categories... the irony indeed... oh well, c'est la vie... looking forward to my break in Krabi... 4 more days!!!

Rascal Flatts - Stand Lyrics

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless
Like you've lost your fight
But you'll be alright

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand

Life's like a novel
With the end ripped out
The edge of a canyon
With only one way down
Take what you're given before its gone
Start holding on, keep holding on

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand

Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place
Ooohhh

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand

turion at 15:02

Saturday, May 12, 2007

[130507] down yet again

it's been barely 2 months since i was down with flu and now, i find myself in the unwelcome predicament of being ill yet again... throat infection this time round with accompanying 39 degrees fever and body aches... am i getting weak or is it due to the weather these days, some days sorching and others freezing... need to log off now, drowsiness is overwhelming my weak mortal being...

Breaking Benjamin - Evil Angel

Hold it together.
Birds of a feather.
Nothing but lies and crooked wings.
I have the answer.
Spreading the cancer.
You are the faith inside me.
No, Don't, leave me to die here.
Help me survive here, alone.
Don't Remember!
Remember!

Put me to sleep, Evil Angel.
Open your wings, Evil Angel. (Ahhh)

I'm a believer.
Nothing could be worse.
All these imaginary friends.
Hiding betrayal.
Driving the nail.
Hoping to find a savior.
No, don't, leave me to die here.
Help me survive here, alone.
Don't Surrender!
Surrender!

Put me to sleep, Evil Angel.
Open your wings, Evil Angel. (oohh)
Fly over me, Evil Angel.
Why can't I breathe, Evil Angel?

Put me to sleep, Evil Angel.
Open your wings, Evil Angel. (oohh)
Fly over me, Evil Angel.
Why can't I breathe, Evil Angel?

turion at 11:03

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

[080507] In Alpha, it's always our fault

So a big incident happened this week with long lasting consequences, 2 recruits fought - 1 got injured with his arm bleeding profusely from a puncture wound resulting in both of them getting charged and thrown into dentention barracks. All this over some childish provocation, shoving and ultimately trading punches and blows which led to the injury.

It would have been a small matter, well not exactly small seeing that the injury required 4 stitches but i standby the belief that had the Commander NOT seen the recruit being brought over to the Medical Centre, most likely, the recruits would have been merely informally punished and not the resulting charges.

So today marked the day that encik returned and as expected, he called for a NCO meeting in which he questioned how had the incident had been allowed to take place... and how had we failed in our duties and moral obligation in taking charge of the recruits and how we had seemingly thrown away the respect the recruits afforded us... we as instructors are not only role models, disciplinarians, teachers but now we are to act as their guardians and parents in addtion to being a consellor and a physciatrist.

We are supposed to know our men well! He says... get to the ground, know what is brewing in their minds, find out their problems, their concerns and their social well-being within the platoon... well... well... I AM sure i was not briefed about this unknown facet of my job scope... in the end, who gets the blame? we do.

If a recruit choked while having his lunch, it'll probably be our fault as we failed to supervise recruit Lau while he ate his fish. Im sorry encik, i didnt pull out the fish bones from the fish. Sorry encik.

If a recruit slipped while taking a shower, it'll be our fault as we were not there holding his hand and helping him soap up when he juggled with the labourious task of turning on the shower tap and trying to clear the soapy foam from his eyes. Sorry encik.

If a recruit got hit by a car after booking out, it'll be our fault too as we didnt go the extra mile in ensuring our recruits returned home safely after a week's worth of hard training. We probably should have sent them home, individually every friday. Sorry encik.

The irony of it all, the recruit who got his hand punctured was actually the aggressor in the fight, the guy who started throwing the punches. Whatever lah, just keep nodding ur head, take in all the so called lessons in and reply, yes encik. Suck it up, count the days - That is the Alpha Way...

Finally watched Spiderman 3 yesterday night, skipped LT's Danial's offer to watch the 2000 hrs slot as it was too late, headed down to JP after booking out to catch the 1850 slot. Spiderman 3 - the third installation in the trilogy by Sam Raimi was surprisingly disappointing after the brilliance of the first 2 movies. Long time nemesis Venom finally makes his big screen debut in what was a rather subdued role in the movie alongside 2 other villians - Sandman & The Green Goblin. It was cramped to say the least allowing almost no screen time for the characters and plot to properly develop, die hard followers of Spidey would have been dismayed at how one of the most significant plotlines in the comic series was so dramatically shortened, cut and ended. The fight scenes retained their usual fanfare but the movie was itself full of cheesy scenes. One especially stands out from the dozen, moments before the big fight against both Venom and Sandman, spidey swings down and lands on the roof of a building running abit before leaping off and swinging off again, all this happened before the backdrop of a huge illuminated American Flag fluttering with the wind. How's that for being corny. Ultimately, a disappointment from the high standards set by its 2 predecessors but still an enjoyable popcorn kind of movie if you're not a spidey fan.

Spiderman 3 - 2.5 popcorns out of 5

turion at 19:24

Friday, May 04, 2007

[040507] BRTC Parade Square Friday night, 2200 hrs

Time: 2110
Date: 04'May'2007
Venue: Marche, Vivocity
Situation Report: Subject Turion was serving a guest his Pork Knuckle when he was approached by the Restaurant Manager Jason with an urgent message to call Firrdaus back and that, there was a recall. His phone was ringing, he looked at the number - SCDF ARMS system number. The standard message came along, he entered his IC number, but the following message was new and surprised him. "...report to BRTC Parade Square. Report to BRTC Parade Square..."

Shit... called Syarif and immediately confirmed the authencity of the recall... shit... went to talk to kelvin who told me to go, diez, jia latz... took the bag and immediately left the outlet, not even stopping to change, started taking off my apron and shirt as i walked towards the entrance drawing a lot of curious stares from the guests in the queue...

Rushed down to the usual taxi stand only to realise that it was packed, packed would be a huge understatement... the queue snaked at least thrice... shit again.. decided to take a gamble and wait across the street near the bus stop, wasted another 15 minutes... during which, my phone kept ringing either with calls or messages either informing or asking if i had already known about the recall... pissed...

activation was at 2100, had 1 hr to report back to camp. I only realised at 2110 hrs, by the time i called comfort for taxi booking, it was already 2125, shit again... wasted 25 mins already, left 35 mins more... realised that i was waiting at the wrong place... shit shit shit... ran back into vivocity, down the escalator, and from the east wing back to the taxi stand, Citycab 4789 was already waiting for me, finally, something good that happened... long story cut short, reached camp, ran all the way in, changed as fast as i could and headed down to foyer - the assembly point...

Greeted the rest of the instructors and PCs and all were visibly in the same pissed yet humoured mood i was in... started trading stories on where we were and how we got there... a scene to behold indeed... Commander came to talk to us, telling us how proud he was of us.. etc etc... main point, commander approved half day off for entire battalion to be scheduled by OC of individual units... power lah Sir! but problem, i didnt take the reciept for the taxi ride from vivocity to camp and im not sure if i'll be paid for my supposed work day today... of all the days, they decide to activate a recall, it had to be today... god damn it...

oh well, asked kelvin if i had to return, he told me never mind... at least im early at home on a friday night for once... heh... and taxi fare back home can be claimed and for those that are without reciepts, can also claim... whether this is true or not, im not certain but let's hope it's true... one hell of a night to remember by... sweating like mad, running around in vivocity and in BRTC, cursing and swearing with the rest of the guys in the bunk after everything... fun it turned out eventually but not exactly something to look forward to... and there's gonna be one more next year... let's hope i find myself in a better situation than today the next time... nursing a huge-ass headache now... ouch.. need to concuss... ZZZzzz

turion at 23:40

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

[010507] this post was done entirely on the bus

It's funny how the working environment at Marche has changed over the past 2 months... from the initial vibrant crew to the rather stagnant crew that im currently part of, something's just different... gone are the laughter, jokes and good natured teasing. Boredom, heavy heartedness and a desire to see work end takes its place...

No doubt the departure of many colleagues attributed to this current predicament... Such is the F & B line, people come and go, no one stays for long... the saying goes that if one enjoys his work, it ceases to become work but i say work is and will forever be work, otherwise it wouldnt be called work in the first place would it? Makes sense?

So a small milestone has been reached, i've worked at marche for a quarter of a year already... but already the mood that i work with is already different, it's with heavy feet and a heavier heart that i go to work with... no more spring in my steps nor eager anticipation for the work that beckons... i've come to realise that i've really yet to get a sense of achievement or satisfaction in my current job unlike at TCC where i really enjoyed being in the bar or interacting with guests (the nice ones of course) although i've seen the worst and best sides in guests, it never fails to amuse, irritate and piss me whenever i encounter an unruly guest...

But i AM in the Food & Beverage Industry... we pride ourselves on being courteous whatever the circumstances, being attentive to guests' needs and above all, their ultimate satisfaction when they decide to dine at the establishment that we work in... that's why we say F**k you with a smile, we're in the service industry...

A guest earlier demanded to know why his wife had to stand at one side while waiting for her pork neck steak... Erm, sir... you're dining at Marche, not MacDonald's... we dont have a system where we try to serve you your orders within a minute or you get a complimentary ice cream cone... we told her that it'll be ready in around 10 minutes but it wasnt to be taken iterally, grilling by itself should be classified as an artform...

From the way you maintain the intensity of the fire to how you handle and grill the steaks... it all takes some know how... afterall, each piece of individual piece of meat differs and thus their different grilling times... I just shook my head and smiled to myself while the guest ranted away... The reason being, his wife was obviously embrassed by her husband's actions. Her eyes kept darting left and right all the while tugging on her husband's sleeves while he went, "if you told my wife, the steak would be ready in 10 mins then you shld have it ready when the 10 mins was up!"

Yes sir, im sorry that we as members in the service industry have so drastically failed you in our promise to deliver our utmost best in serving you... it was our fault that we failed to inform you about the intricate nature of grilling / cooking in nature and that Marche was a restaurant and not a fast food restaurant, it was also our fault that we failed to inform you that in vivo city, there was Long John Silver, MacDonalds, KFC among other established eating establishments where you could recieve your orders within the stipuated minute... For that i sincerly apologise on behalf of all in the service industry... indeed, we have failed you...

The ironic part was that, the wife was actually quite nice when i told her that her steak might take longer as it was still slightly raw on the inside... a case of extravagent chest beating?? WOO HOO!!! You make me woman wait, me stand up for wife! rant and bark like dog i will!!! *thumps chest* whatever the case, im thankful that for every guest like this one, there're at least 3 others who're really nice and understanding... these guests, i would go the extra mile for and it would be with sincere delight and pleasure that i serve them with...

Here's hoping that we see more of such guests and less guests like the Neanderthal that i met this afternoon...

turion at 22:54

Yesterday's memories

My past