ludicrously speaking

The fact that its a public holiday gives me more reasons to be at home avoiding the masses, not that i need any to begin with. I’ve been trying to stay home as much as possible having failed to do so last week - there were just work that needed to be done before i report for duty. With reservist in place till January, i’m pretty sure i’ll have to toggle my time between my alter ego (The Mata) and reel life (Brothers & Sisters).

I know i joke about how lobo my reservist is and sometime how immaterial it becomes, but strange thing is whenever i’m back, i do feel the need to do my job well and prove that i’m not a liability. Just the last shift saw me hunting down the owner of an illegally parked vehicle and tackling a loanshark case with as much professional knowledge i was equipped with. Eventually yours truly here scored quite a bit with his in-charge as he commended on my good showing. The occasional out-of-context experience proved to be quite enjoyable.

On the less than chirpy side of things, i’ve concluded the first season of Brothers and Sisters. An emotional roller coaster ride with situations that continues to brew in the house of the Walkers. I’m beginning to download the second season but i’m keeping my expectations at bay for the time being. Not without considering that the season is coming to a halt due to the Writers Guild of America strike in Los Angeles. The strike is so infamous now that even Wikipedia documents it. What is going to happen to Prison Break and Ugly Betty then? Hmm… guess i might just have to find a job to occupy the time lapse. I know my priorities don’t i?

Anyway, here’s a roundup of the first season with a song i love from the show.

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother standing by
With my brother standing by
I said Brother, you know you know
It’s a long road we’ve been walking on
Brother you know it is you know it is
Such a long road we’ve been walking on

And I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my sister standing by
With my sister standing by
I said Sister, here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this..
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

But sister you know I’m so weary
And you know sister
My hearts been broken
Sometimes, sometimes
My mind is too strong to carry on
Too strong to carry on

When I am alone
When I’ve thrown off the weight of this crazy stone
When I’ve lost all care for the things I own
That’s when I miss you, that’s when I miss you, that’s when I miss you
You who are my home
You who are my home
And here is what I know now
Here is what I know now
Goes like this..
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, my salvation lies
In your love, in your love, in your love

Well I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
Yes I had a dream
I stood beneath an orange sky
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by
With my brother and my sister standing by

I’m Kevin. Smart and brilliant but helpless in love.

I’m Nora. Weak behind the strong exterior.

I’m Sarah. Magnet of emotional turbulence.

I’m Justin. Yearning for affirmation.

I’m Tommy. Stubborn and decisive.

I’m Kitty. No, i’m really not.

Colbie Caillat - Bubbly

V1: I’ve been awake for a while now
you’ve got me feelin like a child now
cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place

C: It starts in my toes
and I crinkle my nose
where ever it goes I always know
that you make me smile
please stay for a while now
just take your time
where ever you go

V2: The rain is fallin on my window pane
but we are hidin in a safer place
under covers stayin safe (*) and warm
you give me feelins that I adore

C: It starts in my toes
make me crinkle my nose
where ever it goes
i always know
that you make me smile
please stay for a while now
just take your time
where ever you go

B: What am I gonna say
when you make me feel this way
I just……..mmmmmm

C: It starts in my toes
make me crinkle my nose
where ever it goes
i always know
that you make me smile
please stay for a while now
just take your time
where ever you go

V3: I’ve been asleep for a while now
You tucked me in just like a child now
Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I’m comfortable enough to feel your warmth

C: It starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feelin shows
Cause you make me smile
Baby just take your time now
Holdin me tight

Where ever, where ever, where ever you go
Where ever, where ever, where ever you go
Where ever you go, I’ll always know
Cause you make me smile here, just for a while

Woke up all groggy this morning, a little thrown off thinking of going back for reservist - even though getting off the bed at 7 seemed like a normal thing to be doing for most. Reanimated into being wondering if the first day reporting would somhow end prematurely due to some twist of fate. I then slapped myself in my head for being such a fucking dreamer.

I irked the sight of my aged, long abandoned uniform - hardly patronising the idea of wearing them anytime soon. Stuffed all the neccessities into my backpack and left the house. On the way to the bus-stop my tummy started rumbling, its a sign that i’m feeling a lil’ uncomfortable for the long drawn day ahead.

It was the usual fanfare, met some reservist mates along the way and more converged as we waited in the briefing room. Everyone was in their half uniform, except me. I came in slippers and shorts simply because i was hoping not to change out of them. Ya, call me stubborn, but there are certain things worth hoping for and for the first time in a long time, my wishes came through. Lord and behold, the morning briefing ended in the blink of an eye as they merely sorted out our documents and informed us of our shift schedules. I was back home before 11am. Sweet. My bed is my refuge. 

Night shift tomorrow and following two days off. It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas indeed.

Life hands you abundant opportunities, you choose the ones your heart beats for and believe in it diligently. Put your soul into all aspects and trust that it’ll reward you for your hardwork.

I have a short-term memory, but if my experiences from the past 3 years of my life are anything to go by, i’ve been well-rewarded for all the things that i stand for. I’ve met a lot of good people who’ve all taught me to be wise and kinder to others around; from their ability to lead and inspire, i learn; from the bad decisions to the thoughtless statements they make, i learn not to.

When i’ve had enough at the end of a phase, i look out for new opportunities that can further teach me to be a better being. Because that’s what life’s about - looking out for new hope to elevate a mere existence to the next level when it comes to a stand-still.

I never understand how people can continue to dwell in prolong unhappiness and lack of self-worth, but i understand how those can easily trap anyone forever because it’s really a lot easier to avert the harsh reality.

Truth is, once you’ve decide to look beyond what’s holding you back, there’s always hope waiting.

To bear the weight
and push into the sky
it’s easier to lie
it’s easier to lie

And honestly
to look you in the eye
it’s easier to lie
it’s easier to lie

To be the one
to be the only one
something has to give a lot
something has to give a lot

And who am I
to give you what you need
when I’m learning
just learning
Learning how to live and

to bear the weight…
and push into the sky
it’s easier to lie
it’s easier to lie

And honestly
to look you in the eye
it’s easier to lie
it’s easier to lie

To fill the space
the space you made for me
try to be the one you want
try to be the one you want

And maybe I
could be the one you need
if you’d only
show me
Show me how to live and

how to bear the weight
And push into the sky
it’s easier to lie
easier to lie

And do what’s right
when everything is wrong
it’s easier to run
it’s easier to

Never have
to look you in the eye
it’s easier to lie
it’s easier to lie

To bear the weight
and push into the sky
it’s easier to lie

I love the way everything is after it rains. There’s a feeling of inexplicable rejuvenation and clarity. The air smells fresh and it’s a clean slate again.

I took my chances when i braved the storm and as soon as i stood under shelter drying up, i knew the world was big enough for me to venture.

The clouds have cleared.

学会认真学会忠诚
适者才能生存

I blog at the airport just before i depart for another place to keep a record of where i’ve been. Some trips are manic and i wouldn’t get a chance to sit down and post my journeys. So i slip in a post just before i leave, to kill time in between and to get some form of closure that i’m leaving my work behind *gasp!*. There is life afterall.

PC2, if you are reading this and by some unforeseen forces of nature your number fails to work when i touch down, i’m meeting you at Daikanyama station, main control area at 11a.m. I’ll wait for an hour and if i can’t find ya, i will go to Asakusa (i think this is how to spell it, the temple place) with my family. Hope i see ya!

Like a bullet train coming to a halt, i withdraw myself from the daily affairs of work, load up my backpack and set my sight on Tokyo tonight. 10 days planned for a well-deserved getaway with my family - the usual shopping treats and eating feast plus a 2-day stay at a hot-spring resort in Hokkaido. Not to forget meeting up with PC2 for some “retail adventures” in the land that openly admits to the escalation of prices (when you pay they go: “Hike!”). More time to post when i’m there. Laters.

P/s: I can’t wait to layer my clothes without having to sweat like a pig.

“Never once doubt your innate talent. You are wise beyond your years, i can be straight forth with you - you don’t have to wait till you have gained all the experience before you start making the right decisions.”

But i don’t know what is right. How do i make a good decision if not guided by a past reference? Even if i did, situations evolve over time, change is the only constant. One year a ghoulish construction worker, the next a spooky troubled little imp and then suddenly, a flamboyant fashion maestro. Change is elemental and yet also serves as the perfect recipe for disaster - delayed schedules, bad choice of location and just enough reasons to get one down. In the end, only the people around you mattered. It was still awesome.

Running along the coastline, i looked afar at the distant horizon. It reminded me of better times when my life was just beginning to take shape. I was a helpless optimist dreaming of the infinite possibilities ahead - didn’t need to factor whether i had what it took, merely creating images after another. Through the fleeting silhouette of people who ran past, i wondered how many of them are living their dreams like i am; doing something they love. 已經找到愛 為何要離開?

To the one who promised me a future of limitless growth, ma homies that rocked the other wise catastrophic halloween party and the inspiring marathon in the morning that helped revive a lost feeling of hope.

《一人一半》
演唱：伍加輝
改編詞:小寒 曲:伍加輝

一人一半 感情不散
一人一素故 感情才會久
時光累計 安靜的淚滴
一心去追 愛那么可貴

Chorus：
這樣的人 這樣地等
無非是等個回應眼神
為愛翻滾 不計傷痕
甘心為你一生都浮沉

這樣的人 別笑我蠢
傻傻的 心痛也不覺疼
就算天冷 就算殘忍
等你想起這沒用的人

一人一半 感情不散
已經找到愛 為何要離開

時光累計 安靜的淚滴
一心去追 愛那么可貴

Repeat Chorus*

一人一半 感情不散
已經找到愛 為何要離開
已經找到愛 為何先離開

Never really quite got over this commercial, like i can still watch Moulin Rouge repeatedly and still enjoy it. Given that both were produced and directed by the fabulous Australian export, Baz Luhrmann. This Chanel ad’s almost a complete sample of the movie given new context, but nethertheless brilliant.

Every time i’m at an electronic store i wonder; despite the technology of television improving over the years - brilliant LCD Plasma design, HDMI input clarity, superb sound stereos; the demo video displayed to showcase these technological advancement still reeks of images of yester-years. I mean how many images of colourful hot air balloons and variety of fishes can one take? And the models…which era were they from? Big, dry, curly hair and apparels in the gaudiest neon spectrum. Was it filmed by the same group of talents responsible for major Karaoke video hits like “How Do I Live (…walking on the road wearing only a bikini and flipping my hair in all possible angle)” or “Because You Love Me (… visiting the tourist spots of a southeast asia country whilst leaning on all the walls and trees, trying to emote).

They somehow managed to find the ugliest of caucasians and place those “russian hookers”-looking girls to present the idea of a ground-breaking technology that would guarantee hours of entertainment back home. It’ll probably work if i still listen to Eurthymics and put shoulder pads into all my shirt. What were they thinking?

BRAND NEW TV! LCD* INCLUDED.
*LCD = Lok Cok Demo