damian + turion

[290707] More than meets the eye

Booked out yesterday with the intention to catch a movie and inquire about a job at borders but ended up having dinner at wisma's food republic and spending time browsing through books at Border's instead. One thing's for sure, need to head back to Border's office during office hours to get forms and the interview. Left Border's with 4 books, heh... couldnt help myself, all 4 by Mario Puzo and they were all conveniently on 20% discount. No second thoughts, no hesitation.

Cleared my Off today, feels different to be able to wake up at 10 am and be bothered in a good way by what should I do for the rest of the day... it feels like being a civilian. Cant wait for my NS to finish so that i can get on with my life as clueless as my life after NS's gonna be, it still beats being in camp everyday with all the shit, all the troubles and all the work. It's funny how my perception of NS has changed before i enlisted and my current thoughts.

I used to think that serving NS was a price to pay for being a citizen of singapore, a trade-off of some sorts for everything that the govt has provided for us but now being in this shit hole that is the SCDF, i feel that it's just a fucking waste of my 2 years. 2 years in which i could have gone on to study or 2 years for me to gain invaluable working experience in my chosen field of work. Instead, we are plunged into a world where NSFs are picked on and squeezed by the fucking regulars whose only thoughts are to cover their asses from the upper management.

But then again, that's for my case. Others enjoy their NS experiences and have chosen to embrace it as their chosen careers. I envy them and pity them at the same time. A safe, secure job with a decently sized salary. No doubt, time will erode their optimism and their pride in serving in uniform and who knows, if they survive and make it in the force after 20, 30 years of service, they may be in the same predicament as my superiors now. Waiting to ROD, for the fat paycheck that they call a pension and covering their FAT 20, 30 YEARS in the force Gluteus Maximus.

Had a scare earlier in the morning when i thought my keyboard was spoiled so decided to catch Transformers at GV before getting the new keyboard. Bought the ticket and headed on into the theatre, surprised to see the crowd. Wasnt really a crowd but for a 1050 show, it seemed like one. Dont these Singaporeans have to work??? I remembered catching Transformers when i was young, facinated by the many forms and shapes of the various autobots and decepticons and the simple and innocent concept of good vs. evil and ultimately good truimphing over evil. The movie left me feeling in awe of the CGI and the beautifully modelled autobots and decepticons, the moments they transform never cease to facinate me but somehow, the movie fell kinnda short. Perhaps the familiar notion of good against evil has been played too much over the decades and it was kindda boring to hear Optimus convey the same message used in countless movies, books and comics albeit in different lines. The action sequences although masterfully choreographed were disappointingly short. For all the amount of work they put in for the autobots and decepticons, one would have felt that perhaps more screen time for the robots would be more appropriate. The majority of the decepticons(disappointingly), only made their appearance towards the end as the film reaches its climax and then, were only shown sparingly as they were quickly dispatched off in the subsequent action sequences. But for all its flaws, the movie was enjoyable... how can it not be?

Megan fox providing the hots in the movie

Transforming robots, totally kick ass action sequences and a sizzingly hot babe in the form of Megan Fox are stuff dreams are made of, for members of the male species all across the age spectrum. Your everyday pop-corn kind of movie, enjoyable but without the wow factor.

Transformers - 3 popcorns out of 5

Goo Goo Dolls - Fiction (hold on before it's too late)

I wonder through fiction to look for the truth

Buried beneath all the lies

and I stood at a distance

To feel who you are

Hiding myself in your eyes

and hold on before it's too late

Until we leave this behind

Don't fall just be who you are

It's all that we need in our lives

and the risk that might break you

Is the one that would save

A life you dont live is still lost

So stand on the edge with me

Hold back your fear and see

Nothing is real til it's gone

Hold on before its too late

Until we leave this behind

Don't fall just be who you are

It's all that we need in our lives

So live like you mean it

Love til you feel it

It's all that we need in our lives

So stand on the edge with me

Hold back your fear and see

Nothing is real til it's gone

Hold on before its too late

Until we leave this behind

Don't fall just be who you are

It's all that we need in our lives

Hold on before its too late

Until we leave this behind

Don't fall just be who you are

It's all that we need in our lives

It's all that I need in my life

turion at 16:20

Monday, June 25, 2007

[250607] A funny slice of Singapore

Came across Talkingcock in parliament and was immediately hooked by its close to the heart topics and extreme humour, been close to a year since the event was held and i just came to know about it... also a video from Dick Lee's 40th anniversary concert in 2004... haha.. never to late to enjoy the good stuff! Tickled me silly...

*WARNING*

DISCLAIMER - THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS ARE RATED FT (Fatally Ticklish) VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Enjoy!!

Hossan Leong - Concise History of Singapore

Ruby Pan - Her take on Singapore's English English

Count on Him Singapore by Dick Lee during his 40th anniversary concert

turion at 20:46

Thursday, June 21, 2007

[210607] Leap of Faith

The first step's always the hardest to make isnt it? The leap of faith that takes all your available reserve of courage and even after that, a test of your inner strength, patience and nerves of steel while waiting for the reply.

I read a newspaper article last weekend on how a writer felt that handphones and technology were a bane to modern day romance, people spending more time in front of the computer chatting with prospective partners instead of going out on dates and having a face to face conversation, how anyone can conveniently call off a date with the dial of button and how instead of confessions of love face to face, many are ending up messaging their confessions of love instead. And all the while, the sender is fretting over how come the reply is taking ever so long and with each passing minute and second, becomes more and more convinced that the sender's made a fool of himself.

And yet, i cant help but empathize with the sender. I guess the clout and anonymity of being simply a face behind the computer screen hides and discards any social barrier and nervousness one might have as compared to being face to face with a member of the fairer species. I chatted my way into my first ever relationship and even now, im still puzzled at how 2 people could by mere chatting and nothing else get together. Perhaps, it was nothing more than a convnient time in which both parties needed someone to talk to and a relationship blossomed.

Whatever the reason, im still not sure and still kindda doubtful but yet, it's just asking someone out... for that, i need more than just plain courage. I think i need a drink as well... make that many drinks... damian the faint of heart... a real aries i am... hahaha... 200th post by the way... for now, i think i'll just keep my feet planted on the ground... FOR NOW...

turion at 18:50

Saturday, June 16, 2007

[160607] Down again

Our bodies are peculiar things, at times, they are capable of withstanding the most extreme of conditions and situations. Other times, they wither and fail us when we needed their vitality and strength the most. So i find myself down yet again with a viral infection, it's the 3rd time i've fallen ill in as many months.

39.4 degrees, with shivers and sore eyes for company... feeling wretched and tired right now... Supposed to be working today but in light of my current predicament, rest and sleep are all that i need at the moment... Realised that i've become more and more susceptible to falling ill these days, used to be the case where i fell ill once or twice a year but i fall victim to disease much more easily now. And it's always the same illness, viral infection of some sorts, with high fever...

My brains gonna get fried one of these days with all the high fevers that seemingly accompanies all the infections i get... im off to catch up on rest and sleep...

Duran Duran - Ordinary World

Came in from a rainy Thursday
On the avenue
Thought I heard you talking softly
I turned on the lights, the TV

And the radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you
What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some are saying

Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away
But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

Passion or coincidence
Once prompted you to say
"Pride will tear us both apart"
Well now pride's gone out the window

Cross the rooftops
Run away
Left me in the vacuum of my heart

What is happening to me?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away

But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

Papers in the roadside
Tell of suffering and greed
Here today, forgot tomorrow
Ooh, here besides the news
Of holy war and holy need
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk

And I don't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

Every one
Is my world, I will learn to survive
Any one
Is my world, I will learn to survive
Any one
Is my world
Every one
Is my world

turion at 17:13

Thursday, June 14, 2007

[140607] Run, damian, Run

Finally got around to signing up for the Mizuno Wave Run, the 1st of 6 runs for the rest of the year, kinnda excited about the run itself, not that i expect to do well for it but at least i want to be able to finish the race. Walked around town with Redfox earlier on, and after a visit to Dollars and Scents, i came out of the shop poorer but happy with my latest purchase...

Gotta stop the extravagent spending these couple of months, savings have been dropping at an alarming rate... very very disturbing and yet, there seems to be an endless amount of things to be bought... the defining line between nice to haves and must haves are increasingly blurred, adding further burden to my wallet... curb, damian curb...

A friend once said that i was like a wooden block, that i have to admit... i've always been slow in picking up vibes and hints from people in relation to myself. I'm simply someone who's not very good at judging others' intentions and reactions and i dont read body language and people well... Girls/women are the hardest things to understand, many have said. To that statement, i have no choice but to agree... innate shyness and introvertness towards the fairer sex has hardly helped, all these in addition to being a klutz in conversations. How's that for a wooden block?

I wish matters of the heart was more straight foward and less complicating and confusing, if only they had a machine to print out how one felt so we would know immediately and rely less on gut feeling and pure guess work. Your smile that day is still deeply imprinted in my mind... haunted by a smile and yet, doubts still lingers... can i? will i? should i?

Snow Patrol - Run

I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done

And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbye
I nearly do

Light up...

Slower slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads

Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess

turion at 22:44

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Vertical Horizon - Best i ever had

So you sailed away
Into a grey sky morning
Now I'm here to stay
Love can be so boring

Nothing's quite the same now
I just say your name now

But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
You don't want me back
You're just the best I ever had

So you stole my world
Now I'm just a phony
Remembering the girl
Leaves me down and lonely

Send it in a letter
Make yourself feel better

But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
You don't need me back
You're just the best I ever had

And it may take some time to
Patch me up inside
But I can't take it so I
Run away and hide
And I may find in time that
You were always right
You're always right

So you sailed away
Into a grey sky morning
Now I'm here to stay
Love can be so boring

What was it you wanted
Could it be I'm haunted

But it's not so bad
You're only the best I ever had
I don't want you back
You're just the best I ever had
The best I ever had
The best I ever

turion at 20:25

Monday, June 04, 2007

[040607] i miss Krabi already...

Krabi was fun, money well spent on an enjoyable 4 days made even better by the great company i had... that's what i call a vacation, can consider going back again... not a bad place to bring your gf too... just chill at the beach...

So i met up with the lads on tuesday afternoon at T2 terminal and quickly decided to have lunch at the canteen though i tried unsucessfully to convince them to dine at the Fish N Co's... Lunch was really filling, and to top it off, when we reached the Budget terminal, i had an eclair and a cake... tsk tsk... oh well, since im having a holiday might as well, enjoy myself...

Krabians passports at the ready!

Quickly checked in and proceeded inside, it was surprisingly well stocked with various shops including a hang ten outlet which was obviously out of place in the airport setting... browsed through times and the curse struck again... yep, i bought another book... on holiday also buy book... i cant understand myself at times...

Alpha ready?! Alpha GO!

So we boarded the plane and all the buzz was on the really cute stewardess, haha.. guys will be guys... settled down to start on the new book while the fella's decided to eat again, what's wrong with all of us? zuan and syarif settled for cup noodles (SGD $4) while firrdaus opted for a pkt of mixed nuts (SGD $2)... Benson and me decided to do the sensible thing and not order anything... Reached krabi after ~80 mins, relieved to see that our hotel sent the driver, though Firrdaus became Mr. Fikkdaus Yuffoff, and we excitedly followed the wrong driver... discovered the error and sought out the correct one instead... we suspected that another hotel that we had placed reservations with, had sent the transport as well even when we didnt pay the deposit... wow, how's that for service? Ride to Golden Beach Resort was uneventful 'cept for on moment when the driver turned into incoming traffic to turn into a shortcut route, really scared us for a moment... it's funny when i come to think of it now, but we werent exactly laughing at that moment...

we're finally here!!!

Checked in, settled down and immediately headed out for dinner... SEAFOOD!!! Lobster, prawns, green curry and mussels with garlic made up the simple menu for the first dinner in krabi... 1500 baht for the lobster was considered cheap, it didnt taste any different from a very big prawn though... heh, first time eating lobster... suay ku sia.. lolGreen Curry - CHECK! Mussels - CHECK! Prawns - CHECK! eh, lobster leh? There it is... Syarif, dont play with the lobster... Not a bad way to end the first night, cheers!

The second day would be the most fruitful and fun day as agreed by most of the guys, not too sure if Syarif feels that way but i think the rest do... heh... Woke up, enjoyed the nice view of the mountain behind the resort and soaked in the sound of crashing waves in the morning air... settled down for a buffet breakfast to kick start the day and quickly came out with what we wanted to do... took a ride in the longboat over to nearby Railey beach a short 15 min boat ride away... hooked up with Jay and his partner and embarked on a short 10 min trek to reach our destination... Activity - Rock climbing.. none of that fake wall stuff u find in safra... this is the real deal... Krabians on the long boat...

5 men on a mission to conquer the cliffs..

30m cliff face we were scheduled to climb... 5 different lines in total spreading around the cliff...

Started climbing the first of the 5 climbing lines, the easiest... managed to reach the top easily, after which tackled the highest line, which took immense effort and strength of will... survived a near scare as my specs dropped, luckily managed to catch it with my leg... reached the top and enjoyed the scenary... none of which you'll find back in sg... lowered down before proceeding with the remaining lines.. lower in height but more technically demanding... happy that i managed to finish all 5... *beams* hahaha...

After 4 long hours, headed back throughly shagged and exhausted, had lunch at a nearby eatery back at Ao Nang beach, ordered a Tom Yam Goong but it didnt even manage to tickle my taste buds... not spicy enough... really disappointed... a passing shower delayed the inevitable as we plunged into the pool after the rain dispersed... chilled out, played ball and frisbie in the pool before heading out on the prowl for dinner, caught a magnificient sunset and an extremely adorable cat before... ... ... SEAFOOD PART II!!!

What more need i say? Gorgeous...

A passing resemblence to Garfield? hmm....

Star of the dinner table - the huge tiger prawns!!! how huge??

That huge... Notice the shrimp on my fork? See the difference?

Tiger prawns, Steamed fish, fried chicken, Tom Yam Goong, Vege & some beef salad thingy... dinner for second night... all for a low cost of 1,375 baht which is roughly around 60 bucks... defintely worth it... had pancakes on the way back to the hotel after the guys decided on a couple rounds of pool at a local bar joint... Pineapple rum = 100 baht (SGD <$5) aint never gonna get those kinna prices in SG... reached hotel and immediately concussed...

Syarif's Quote of the 2nd day: IM FALLIN! FALLIN!!!

To be continued...

turion at 21:58

Yesterday's memories

My past