Oh no!

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/viewPost3713.aspx
Taken from stomp.com.sg

Argh this isn't very nice. As I was reading it, I remembered how my commanders and driving instructors always kept on parroting about how accidents tarnish the reputation of the SAF. The vehicles involved in particular are a GP car (general purpose car mostly used for taking people here and there for general purposes) and a 3-tonner, the monster I had to drive for my test.

I don't know what caused the crash. I am very confident that it wasn't the fault of the SAF vehicles because they drive extremely carefully and are only allowed to drive at 50 km/h at max. I don't think the 3-tonner was being driven by a trainee (L-plate or Orientation plate) because I don't think that Woodlands road is used for practices. Somehow it sounds like a familiar road but, I can't remember it from the pictures. Maybe it's one of those awesomely long roads that stretch from one region to another, just like Yio Chu Kang road.

I may be quick to defend the SAF (since my reputation is equally at stake haha), but from the picture, from the way the GP car is positioned, it probably flew backwards when it hit the cement mixer in front, although the CM seems quite damage-free. I'm guessing the GP car didn't brake on time, possibly when the CM braked too suddenly. Means the GP car was following too closely (something we're told not to do).

I really hope it wasn't any of our drivers' faults. It would be quite sad. Now they're going to have to fill up forms SAF 1201 and 1202. Haha. Hope the victims are doing well...

This is the 401st entry by the way...

..this blog has come a long way. But that isn't the issue.

Our red berets clinched their 21st best unit award. Kudos to them! Our mutants in red, responsible for working within enemy lines once again showed their prowess in stunts too acrobatic and death defying for any other soldier (especially people like me) with their inverted rapelling and what nots. One thing I couldn't understand when I read the report was how they could wear that outstandingly maroon red beret in the jungle while maintaining all round defence. Apart from that I was awed by the monstrosity of the weapon they carried with them, weapons I'd never get to touch or shoot (and thankfully never get to clean yay).

Yay. Commandos I think are quite cool. I have an ex-commando in my last drivers course, and he's a jolly old chap although I understand he was a devil when he was 2SG and 1SG. He's SSG now btw. I've not too many commandos otherwise. I've only heard taht their training is killer, and that they basically do a lot of weird things. Like the rope in the SOC, they don't climb up, some of them just jump halfway up and bring their legs to the top and touch the top of the rope, before spinning around and running on. Of course, my tonner could outrun them anyday.

Btw, I like to call them mutants because they're seriously so fit you'd be frightened to see them in action with the weird things they can do, like what I just said.

Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) came down to the 1st Transport Battalion to deliver a speech which was all nice and dandy and brought a warm feeling to your heart. I must admit though that as usual when you listen to anyone speak for an extended period of time your eyelids betray you. You could be listening darn attentively but suddenly find out that you were closing your eyes, and then you jerk up again. But taht ended when I realised the SMA was looking straight at me at one point in time. Then I stayed awake right through the speech knowing that the second or third most powerful man in the army was aware I was nodding off during his speech.

But can't help it lah. The last few days we've just had solid lectures that are horribly boring. Extremely boring. You think Maths lecture is boring? Come to the SAF.

Ok, I've been quite militaristic throughout this post. Let's change to another topic.

Well, trees fell down at Craig road. Is that exciting?

Guess not.

Shall call it a daay

Who said Logisticians are insignificant?

Today was my so-called second begining in STC because I'm joining the new batch of transport supervisor trainees while I wait for my supervisor course. So I'm like lao jiao there already and all the fresh privates rely on me to soothe their uneasiness in their new surroundings. That ain't the point just now...

I went through the same lectures I went through my first day (kinda like repeating J1 again...awful feeling hahA). They said the same things about how this course equips us with more marketable skills or skills that can be used after we ORD. And he also joked about how commandos or infantrymen learn things that are useless after they're done with NS etc. And how actually logisticians and combat men cannot survive without each other, how they protect us while we bring food and water that'll keep them alive on battle field. Sounds like the perfect marriage. Makes us feel more wanted.

But when MAJ Jupri, our Chief (Camp) Instructor showed us a video I think they showed us last time but suddenly EVERYTHING felt so beautiful. One of the few places that SAF has had immense involvement in is in Aceh after the Tsunami. Other places include peacekeeping in East Timor (Timor Leste), a naval ship in Iraq's waters, other little things. Anyway, so for the tsunami thing, he showed us a video of the SAF exercises. Brings a tear to your eye to see them working so hard, especially at the medical tents where there are poor people receiving much needed medication. The engineers were repairing broken infrastructure. Of course, we can't ignore the heroes that are the drivers who helped transport the supplies and other barang barang. Then Maj Jupri stated something so obvious that even I missed out: there were no infantrymen, there were no commandos, there were no guards, no combat people at all. All were logisticians. There was a comment made by an Austrailian Brigadier General regarding the efficiency of the SAF logistics, and how professionally we handled the job. It was really touching because I realised that my vocation is the sort that gives you no glory but certainly makes you a true hero in the end.

So I'm glad I did not become some gun-totting officer who hurls grenades and tells men to dig trenches screaming blood-curdling war cries, but I'm happy to be associated with people who are in the humanitarian line of work.

Little bird on the tree, sing a song for me.

Now there's this strange aura emanating from my house that's undetectable to human beings and seems to attract birds. Within the last three days, two have visited my house, one was on the verge of doing so.

Day 1: A mynah came hopping in through my backdoor right into the dining room. I didn't see it. My maid saw it, gasped in shock and then cornered it to the window and shoo-ed it off. It complied. Mynahs are tough cookies, probably the swiftest of all the visitors.

Day 2: None.

Day 3 (Today): Family eating lunch at dining table. Sister starts getting uppity. Older (and bolder) sister gets up and tries to shut the door for who knows what reason. Then I see it before the conversing parents did. It was the cute pigeon that has been visiting my garden everyday religiously for the last year and a half. This time he decided to fly into the house through the front door and place himself conveniently behind the door. I think he got scared: he didn't move a muscle once he heard how noisy we were. Mother starts getting annoyed at the prospect that he pooped there. Lunch ends, the father and eldest son (that would be me) decided to take the bird where it belonged: outside. Father coaxes bird to walk out, bird can't take the coaxing anymore and flies across the room!!! Bangs against the wall and perches on the staircase. Sisters have long flown away; they're scared. Biggest brother tries to catch bird with two hands, but wonders why the experienced father never did that in the first place. Thought he'd try to show some passionate humanity and join in the peacecul coaxing. Ok, who am I trying to kid, I didn't want to touch that filthy thing! Anyway, in the end, it got cornered (which was the last thing we wanted it to be) and my father tried to move him out. He seemed sooooo scared, felt so sad. It just ducked and kept flicking my father's hand off. Then it waddled away and when it had enough clearance flew ard a bit more before escaping through the window into its favourite garden.

And yes, it left poop there, which I cleaned up. Eurghh...

Oh, and later on in the day, an ugly crow landed on our gate looking lustfully at the open door but flew away when he realised I was around.

So why do birds seem to like my place a lot?

Well, it's better than the neighbour's cat. He came in through the backdoor a few times. Maybe he was chasing the mynah that came in through the same way. Haha. Little bugger scared my aunt during her last visit, it gave me silent pleasure!

Ok, I need some birdicide or something. before place gets poopled up. Eurgh

Transport Supervisor

Just a quick update on my phone. I couldn't sms the last few days because they blocked me by mistake -.- but now it should work. Sorry to those who've been expecting answers from me...I couldn't answer you! And I don't really like talking on the phone so...hehe

Ok next monday the new trainees are coming. It'll be cool because I'll be the only one there with hair and the rest will still be bald. Haha! But anyway, since the new batch is coming my own supervisor course is imminent. Since someone is asking about what it'll be like, and since I haven't been able to use my phone like a dream, maybe I'll put it down here and hope it's of assistance!

The first day will be quite boring...make sure you come on time, you don't have to bring anything save a notepad and a pen (pen especially). There'll be an introduction to the new camp and the rules and the people in charge of the unit. Then there'll be a lot of stupid lectures that people will probably sleep through but they won't allow you to, I regret. They'll introduce you to the supervisor course and what in the world you can expect, after which there'll be something like a PC interview where you can ask him anything more you want (like pay!). Expect to fill in a lot of papers for administration.

So first day will mainly be administration, but expect to be released a little late like 6 or 7pm. If you want, bring a book. If you're wondering what to expect for the first two weeks, well, i'ts mostly Problem Based learning (PBL) where they give you scenarios, and you must produce a detailed plan on how you'll overcome the problems in the scenario. You must present. So this is gonna be a bit more intellectual than the brainless things you've been doing in BMT for so long. But trust me, it's very boring and mind-numbing. But taht's ok, you'll realise there'll be a lot more perks in store. Like canteen breaks coming ever 2-3 hours, slightly more freedom and erm...nice people. Oh, there'll suddenly be a lot of big shots like staff sergeants and master sergeants and warrants and officers all over the place, but don't be shocked (coming out fresh from BMT), they're nice people and will treat you humanely. After all, you are now a private :D. Just don't peeve them and you'll stay alive.

After the first two weeks, gear up for your driving course. It'll last between two to three months, depending on how many times you fail your driving test :D. The driving course is split into three parts: The driving phase, man truck phase and Driving continuous training. For the driving phase you'll train and another camp and will be ferried there everymorning from camp. For that reason, you can expect to stay in for about 2 months (once again depending on how long it takes you to pass your driving test). Reason is that you need 6 hours of sleep if you don't want to crash and die so they'll force you to sleep in bunks. The bunks are quite decent but are begining to crumble after my batch, so my apologies. Life will suddenly get a bit slow and boring, but look out for nights out on wednesday. You can't go much anywhere, but at least for one day in the week you can see freedom again (and girls). But lemme warn you, Saturdays are half days. That's rite, it's a 5.5 working week. Even worse than BMT.

So for this period of time, you can expect this. If you need any more help, I'll be with you through this course minus the driving course because I've already passed. You can approach me, I'm very obvious to pick out. Have fun and get ready for an exciting new life ahead of you (puke)!

Oh one more thing, don't make it too obvious that I'm not new. We're all trying to pretend we are SISPEC drop outs (although all the weight gained after BMT will give me away) who know nothing about the course ourselves. But actually we're lao jiaos. So play along! Thanks :D

So unfair

Life is regrettably unfair.

But let's not delve into the details.

Isn't it ironic when you want something so much, but don't get it in the end, while someone else gets what you wants, but he actually wants what you ultimately got into? Just remember how you saw yourself in the future once you got what you always wanted, the visions and dreams you had. They all come tumbling down with this sudden unexpected change. You feel rejected. You feel inadequate. Then someone else comes along and says he doesn't want it. Although you feel happy that he could have lived out your dream, a part of you feels offended that the other person is unwilling to embrace his new future with gusto: the future that you so desired.

And then you go on and peer some more. People are getting into things you've always wanted to go or could only just dream of going to. And then it reminds you of what a loser you are that you couldn't just make that crucial decision to give up everything just for that dream. The irony here is that they're still unwilling to embrace their new destinies.

It gets even more disgusting when you have this evil feeling that a person doesn't deserve it.

How does a man rid himself of this desire to be somebody recognised? I was thinking just now how absolutely plain I am. I'm gifted, no doubt, but my gifts are so many and so undeveloped that they're like no-use one. Still the jack of many trades master of none. Maybe I'm being stupid because I can't assimilate the fact that in anything you do there's always someone who's better than you at it. But, isn't there some kind of niche that a man can have? You know, like he has these abilities but one stands out so sharply because no one else at all has it?

I think that's where creativity and innovation set people apart. Such visionaries dare to step out of the familiar, breaching the boundaries that keep people in this confined space where they compete and end up feeling lousy like me, and come up with novelties that earn them a name. When we compare ourselves to others, we look at their abilities or skills. For example, I feel lousy because there are these people who could, say, play squash much better than me. Or this person is so smart that he got 4As 3Ds 2A1s while I got something so-so. But suppose I was able to invent something using the limited intelligence I had or the passion I had for achieving something (like maybe giving in my all to find a way of cleaning up the dirty air or reversing global warming). While the rest of the world is still finding new sources of energy, I've gone one step ahead and even offered to give the Earth a new chance. The rest of the world could have included the above-mentioned geniuses who decided to join the race just because they've dominated it for so long...

I guess in the end, if you want to find life fulfilling, and if you want to escape this horrible life of competition, you must pave a new way, become a trailblazer, and then even those who you are supposed to respect will respect you. When you read the papers about famous people, the ones who stand out aren't really those who are able to juggle studies with sports or music. It's those who've come up with a new idea that no one ever expected existed. The former do these things mostly for personal gratification: the latter will create something that's of use to the whole world. A new idea is always something that can benefit another group of people...

Wow, I never knew blogging could be so eye-opening. So therapeutic...

I've always believed with blind faith that I could turn adversity into advantage. Maybe I can make it happen now, also.

On another note. I can't understand how stupid people can get. They're blind. They'll readily pass judgement on the one who makes his appearance more often and tries to get things going. While the other person who's supposed to be in control takes backseat and comes out a few times like a mouse to half-heartedly ask for a rectification of a situation will be treated the real leader. Life's unfair, what to do.

I wish I could turn back time and do things all over again. Maybe then again, forget it. I just need people to accept me for who I am, perhaps. Maybe more rationale people. I can't stand the way people think with their warped logic. That's why I can't stand leading, because most of the people I've led can't co-operate. When I've had people who are truly on the ball, we've worked wonders. I don't say I'm a miracle leader. The fact of the matter is that I'm a hard man who probably doesn't give much a thought about PR when people don't care (but gives a lot of care to those who do) and is very goal-oriented and demanding. Now I don't care if you didn't get this because I didn't either. Bah....

Feeling frustrated, but frustration should go away soon. After all, life will offer me many more opportunities. There'll be more chances to pass, and many more to fail.

Blogging has become a chore. Like dragging a sack of potatoes (more aptly, a full sandbag) across the floor. There's hardly a reason or impetus to do so anymore. At least in the past, it was some kind of 'comfort food' for me, when I needed to unload the stuff clogging my mind. Now, I don't have a mind. I'm mindless: I'm in the army for goodness sake. So that justifies very weakly my failure to update regularly, which in any case would be quite defeating because one blogs about things that actually happen in life (that are remotely interesting). Now the only thing that's remote is 'interesting'.

Well, how have I been spending time....well I can tell you about the ACJC concert yesterday. They were fab. This is shamefully my first time going for MUSE, and true to what they all say, it's heavily classical, but my kind of stuff so I didn't complain. After all, people should learn to appreciate the mischief of Ottorino and the tempest of sentiments Korsakov can command. The highlight I think were Scheherezade and Eunice Olsen's rendition of Rhapsody in Blue. Not only does she look gorgeous, she plays astoundingly well. How does she find time to do all this while being an NMP (wait, is she still one? I've kinda gotten detached from politics in Singapore)?

Ok Olsen ain't the topic here, although I must confess I really wanted to get her autograph on my concert notes. Oh and I had an extra rose that Hara bought unnecesarily that I seriously wouldn't have minded giving to her. Hey, it's not everyday you find someone as weird as me who looks pretty. Right let's not stray from topic: Olsen ain't the topic. As usual the band showed ultra precision (although I sensed a near break down somewhere) and good showmanship. I was especially impressed at how the very own members arranged their own songs and played them. Wonder how they get the time to arrange it, prepare it and then practice. Dedication I guess.

I hope that Etude will be as if not more fabulous than the performance! Every band must strive to make their concert special and unique not only to the audience but to themselves.

Ok, something terriber happened after the concert. I took taxi then dropped phone. What an idiot. Fortunately, the phone was waiting to die anyway, it had two cracks on its screen and it had survived 20 falls in its life. It even survived a puddle. But it finally died in peace without hitting a hard surface. The taxi seat is quite well padded.

Anyway, talk about service! I got my new SIM card in a matter of hours! So now, I just have to get me another lousy phone that'll last me through the army before I get a real swanky one to show off. Now I can afford to be cheap. If I find a workable one on the road also, I'll take it!

Army still boring la. But getting better, considering that next week the new supervisors are coming! That means I'll be busy for two weeks doing something fulfilling, hopefully! But the only problem is once those two weeks are over, the new sups will be going for their driving course which I've already passed. I think Ill be a driver then. That's good: I do'nt want to waste all my driving lessons!

Today we found a groovy new way to pass time. We played hangman using the millions of markers and the three whiteboards! It was really funnny! For some weird reason, I and my buddy who's one day older than me kept guessing all the words when hardly two or three letters had appeared on the board! Like we had some telepathy with the game master! Then we made the other team so angry because we kept on owning them and getting 2o points, until they couldn't catch up anymore! So that was a good day spent...

Initially my plan was to bring my new chemistry book from the library to read so I could fall asleep easily (studying syndrome). The plan worked for half an hour....

Tomorrow is Friday. That means the weekends are mine to own again. And this time, I can't afford to waste it. Weekends are precious!

Yay

When hell falls on Earth, where will your courage be?

I had been avoiding documenting this for a long time but it never let go off me, this dream I had. And so, better let it out and tell you what so gnaws at my conscience.

I warn you beforehand that this dream, like any other dream I've had, is extremely disturbing, but ends nonsensically. Somewhere towards when I wake up...hehe

I was at the coast in my uniform, and there was some sorta officer in the background there. I could only see his silhouette at most because it was night, and the only source of illumination was the moon. I figured he was a Captain. I don't know what I was doing, just walking around, I guess? But he was in full battle order, and for some weird reason, wearing the number 3 uniform. Suddenly, he whips out a flare, shouts something I've never heard before (I think he said 'contacted' or something), and he immediately took on a battle stance, heading away from the shore. Then I understood why the din: an ominous shadow wielding a parang emerged from the darkness of the sea towards the captain. I could feel the tingle of danger seeping through my skin, and my first reaction was too make a dash for it.

And that's what horrifies me. I ran.

Now seeing a fellow man in danger, I understood that sometimes, you're not left with a dilemma when your natural instinct of self-preservation kicks in hard. I saw the bogey-man coming, and I felt a need to protect myself. I didn't give a thought to the captain who was in danger. I wasn't provided that horrible situation where you must decide between saving your life, or being more noble and sacrificing your own life by risking it to save another. I just ran! The scary thing is that it happened to fast, and it even felt excusable to have fled because it was some sort of reaction to danger. But should I be in a situation where the lives of people are in danger, be it mine, my men or others, I will never forgive myself if I ran when I should be out there protecting them.

Turns out that the captain, who I thought would be slain at the hands of the bogey-man, neutralised his attacker swiftly and approached me, somewhat lecturing me on what to do if attacked in such a way. And then he asks me a very strange question.

"You know Hanjie, don't you?" And then the dream becomes quite amusing and shortly later I wake up.

Anyway, back to something more serious. This short experience I had in lalaland was frightening because it challenged my values; whether as a soldier and defender of the nation, I'd really be willing to give up my life. Somehow deep inside, even after the dream had ended, I wondered even with my newfound resolve, whether I'd stick to that vow. After all, it was as easy as just running away. But in the end, it made me fear something even worse. When we're really faced with such a situation, I think every soldiers greatest fear would be whether he'd stand his ground in the war, or decide to chicken out. It would be the greatest sin and shame to run away. Judging from the attitudes of many of my friends, this particular issue hasn't even crossed their minds yet. I have a friend who'll constantly remind us that he's convinced Singapore won't find itself in any war. I hate it when he says that. One day, if we really need to take up arms and fight, what would he think then?

I know the cost of war: a grandfather who lost a leg. And I think his was the tip of the iceberg: many of his men probably had to lose their lives. Which to fear for more now, that of yours, or your loved ones? Everything you hold dear?

As long as I'm in this game, I will not desert my men, nor my countrymen. I'm not hardened by war at all, but I will not make the same mistake I made in my dream...

Today while coming back I saw something really funny. A car was going to just dash out of the street just next to mine before another car on the main road flashed his lights at him. He stopped immediately, but seemed to have been surprised by the approaching car. I saw his probation sticker (the red triangle on a green background meant for those who've just got their license or really lousy drivers, in other words) and I thought to myself, "WHAT A NOOB!"

I mean, it's second nature to check on your right for traffic, and to at least make an effort to stop at the Stop line! Anyway, the guy seemed to be slightly older than me. Now I realise that the training that SAF gives us is really darn good; driving safely becomes second nature. Of course, it still doesn't mean I'm an expert because I'm still quite a goondu when it comes to overtaking and bypassing. The giant ain't really made for these kinda things....

I did mention a while ago that I was sick but was recovering, but unfortunately, quite contrary to the moral of my MSN nick, I mounted the kerb while on the road to recovery and the last two weeks have been quite hellish for me. I don't recall having a throat infection this devastating. It can knock the air out of me and leave me gasping for air. And when the air comes in again, throat gets irritated and that aggravates the soreness of my throat, which means I cough even harder and turn my lungs inside out while scaring the daylights out of anyone next to me. Well, today I visited the Medical Centre, and was I surprised, it's huge compared to Tekong medical centre. And the Medical Officer there is quite nice, although he did quite a hasty and scant diagnosis. Now I've got medicine, and the drowsy type too. Oh boy, after having it this afternoon, I just knocked out in the classroom. Normally I can't sleep in extreme coldness and on the cold hard floor without a good 'pillow', but I used my arm as a pillow, and although it had terrible pins and needles when I woke up, I was amazed I slept in that kinda condition. But when I woke up I felt like hell. I could barely warm my body up, so I went outside to thaw. Nuts, it was raining, but it was the hot kind of rain. So I thawed. Then I looked at the road downstairs, and it was funny. My vision was somewhat like the way old computer screens flicker. Kinda weird huh. The medicine was mean stuff. Argh, how I hate drowsy medicine.

Anyway, it'll keep my sleeping like a baby tonight, I'm sure!

I gonna sign off now. Blogging is boring...

It's a pain to think of a title le

So this is the second day I'm living home alone. Family's deserted me and gone to malaysia for church camp. Ok, truth is, I deserted them and decided to stay here because the country needs me to finish my driving course so badly. And living a life alone here is no fun. I'm experiencing what it's like to wake up and going to work, coming back to a dark home, and having to do the dishes laundry, dishes, shucks that's all I seem to be able to do. Apart from bonding with my computer screen. That kinda speaks books about how independent I am. But anyway, to a certain extent I kinda like the freedom here. And the quietness! For now, I'm enjoying it...but soon, I think it'll begin to annoy me, kinda deafeningly.

So yea, my man truck course is over! I have accumulated 500km of mileage officially (the actual number, I haven't bothered to count). But I'm still a baby at driving. There's no denying I'm slightly teensy weensy bit slow, but I pick up. But it's quite sad because I know I'm not going to be driving for a really long time, probably not until my supervisor course starts. After which, I will renew my acquaintance with paper and documents. It's a pity, because I'll be doing nothing interesting from now onwards. Thank goodness I've stocked up on library books!

And I've decided that I'm going to visit the Medical Centre tomorrow. My throat has been plaguing me for a month, and although it improved for a while, since last week it's come back with such a forceful vengeance that I can nearly asphyxiate just coughing. And it's scary, because I cough till my lungs are going to go inside out, and then the reflex to suck in air comes in so strong that it sounds like I'm drowning and gasping for air. So this is really weird. I can't see it but I can just imagine how infected my throat is. And this is going to stop, so I'm going to ask for medication, since I'm no longer driving anyway. The only problem is that I don't trust the Medical Officers. Heard this guy's especially grouchy. If I don't get proper treatment, I'm heading to a polyclinic. Hey, I've got free medical!

Ok la. I wanna sleep real bad because Im sleepy duh. Gd nite!

Comic books and how they're degrading

I'm kinda upset with the latest Superman comic I borrowed, "Worlds at War". It's about how this galactic race called Imperiex wants to just go around destroying galaxies until they catalyse the end of the universe so that they can be in charge of the new universe once it is rebirthed. Of course, this sounds quite much like nutcase sci-fi, but it's not unique as the concept is kinda present in the Marvel universe as well.

Anyway, the reason why I'm so upset is the way the whole comic goes. It's extremely cryptic, lacks coherence and seems so superficial, that the only way to enjoy it is to be dazzled by the spectacular art work. It ain't that spectacular because the battles are quite poorly drawn too; I can't make a head of tail of what's happening. So one moment it appears that he's crashing through a bad guy but what you didn't see is the arm coming off, and then he's flipping here and there and suddenly he's back here again and you're wondering to yourself how it happened.

What's more annoying is how they insert sections of US war politician's speeches into the frames here and there. So within one frame, you gotta switch between trying to understand what's happening between the characters, their conversation, and sometimes what some offline character in a distant part of the universe is thinking while dealing with what this irrelevant speech has to do with anything. It's too much. I guess it's some strategy to infuse a bit of intellectual nonsense inside it. Doesn't work. Only serves to confuse people more. Or maybe, it can only be appreciated by seasoned comic book readers.

In any case, old is good. I like the pace of the old school writers, the way the story unfolded, it kept you guessing in good measure, or it told you straightforward what the heck was happening but that's ok, as long as you're not left absolutely baffled by what's happening.

The more sci-fi-sh these comics become, the less appealing the characters are. You realise that comic book artists have changed their personalities so radically. Just take Superman for example, he used to be the one with heart of gold, showing mercy even to his enemies. Now, he's just another enraged monster going around bashing people idiotically. It's pathetic that they change the characters to suit the whims of a generation that feeds on violence and gore (oh the blood kinda looks like tomato sauce but it would be greatly appreciated to not have it anyway).

And another thing: Somehow, I still prefer Marvel characters to DC characters. More lovable. Except the lesser known ones. In the end, all the characters are mirrors of the other comic universe. And I heard that at some point in time, DC and Marver had a crossover. So, Spiderman and Superman make friends. HAHA.

Ok that's enough I gotta bathe I stink

Brain entropy in progress

I've become quite a lazy blogger...but that doesn't bother anyone I'm sure. Some people out there with their snivelling noses are quite pleased by my laziness I'm sure...but who cares, I won't ever disappear

Ok, that was super unnecessary. Anyway, my weeks been quite super. I started my Driving Continuation programme, where I just do more and more driving, see new places and get more accustomed to our super cool new machine, the Man-Truck. She's a beauty. Auto-transmission, which means that I don't have to bother about changing gears to suit the speed, jumping the clutch and killing my instructor with the jerkiness, basically having to do a million things at the same time. All I have to do is lay my foot on the accelerator and my beauty will take care of the rest. Of course the configurations are different from the 3 tonner, which meant that when I wanted to horn, I accidentally landed up using the window wipers, and instead of indicating right, I flashed my hyper beam. Ooo. But that's ok, because I tell you she's smarter than a normal truck. She even has a system to automically change the tyre pressure to go off-road. Also, she's got sensors to detect when you need to change to 4x4 transmission from 4x2 when going up hills or mudtracks or whatever. The only disadvantage with the mantruck is ironically, her sophistication. For some genius SAF bigshot who knew the road rule of sticking to 50km/h programmed the beauty to cut of oil the moment the speedo reaches that speed (yes she's got an in-built computer! And an alarm clock, so you can go to sleep in the tonner and she'll wake you up! HAHA). So with that level of technology, imagine crawling the expressways at 50km/h. Most of the smaller cars are going twice your speed, bigger and heavier industrial vehicles shameslessly overtake you. I remember that F=ma, so once there's no more acceleration, there's no more net force. So you basically feel like you're floating around in your seat for about half an hour. There's no thrill in that, plus you are in danger of closing your eyes to fatigue.

But who cares, I still love the Man-Truck. And I hope I get to drive her some more.

Apologies to those who had no idea what I was writing up there. Haha!

Ok, the staying out thing has been fabulous. I don't have to have cold water baths anymore, and I can rest at home and do useless things everyday. I don't have to contend anymore with living with nutcases (who are really nice guys) and noisy fans, not knowing what to do, rotting, etc. However, I've only now realised how expensive it is to take public transport. I have to top up $20 every week nearly. That's exorbitant. Plus, I dislike the feeling of having to wake up every morning feeling groggy, dragging myself out of the house and to the busstop and all the way to camp. Feels quite horrible. But beats staying in any day.

Watched Shrek 3 today. Quite cute, but yeah, it's begining to lose its steam. A lot of threequels are gonna be like that. But I'm looking forward to so many movies this month. I'm gonna make up for all the movies I missed these last two years. So the other two movies I'm so looking forward to are Transformers and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. I realised that nowadays movies are getting junkier and junkier but who cares. You can get all your happily ever afters and guilt trips and find-your-path-in-life moralistic philosphical pensive material in books and everyday life. It doesn't hurt to go for a thrill ride to the cinema. And it's kinda cool that my childhood is being translater into the movies. Man, when I saw Optimus Primus braking to a halt in the trailer today, I felt so happy. My childhood hero! Haha. For some reason, most of you must've been thinking I had a lot of childhood heroes right. Well, that's me. And Fantastic Four, I've been discovering lately by getting the comic books and picking out the main thing from fragments here and there. I kinda know what Silver Surfer is all about so I'm intent on knowing what the movies gonna be about.

Ok, think this is the end of another brainless entry. I remember reading some interesting things in the newspaper this morning. But now I can't remember what it was I read. Maybe I should make this place a bit more wholesome than recounting my boring life by adding my (uninspiring) commentary on current affairs.

So here I go. Will be back soon!

Nothing in common

Ok, so something freaky happened at the bus stop outside my house which I wasn't prepared for. I met 'her'. After resigning to the fact I'd never do so after nothing happened after one and a half year. How queer. And my stinky uniform must've made an impression. Catching up lasted a good half a minute. I knew her whole life story through that. Anyway, I'm surprised taht after not seeing her for half a year my heart still races. And so I raced out of the bus stop to the comfort of home half a minute away. I think my super-powered shiny polished military boots gave me added acceleration to haven.

Anyway, my training is nearing its end. My military license will be given to me tomorrow. Then I will no longer be treated as a baby driver. Of course, I'm still quite a wreck on the road, but getting better. Driving actually gets fun now...if not a bit boring since being stuck at 55km/h by a computer controlled engine isn't exactly thrilling. Especially when bigger trucks race past me. Can be quite demoralising. Ok that's not an issue...

Currently, I'm harbouring this secret fantasy, and I wonder how (or whether) it'll come true. I want to get two tickets for a nice classy or some worthwhile concert. And then I want to invite 'this' girl to come with me. And I'm going to make it a really nice day for both of us and hopefully, something nicer will come out of it. Ok nevermind, I shouldn't be too overly over-ambitious, and I oughta respect the secret world of FANTASIES. They never come true.

And one more urgent thing. I need a running partner. Hopefully someone living close to me who'll drag me out of my home everyday after returning from camp and will drag me all around the track and back home. Although it'll be painful (think of all the dragging that I gotta go through, all the wear and tear and free hair removal), it's necessary. I tried running today and gave up prematurely. Quite bad. But it was cuz my throat was clogging up. I haven't quite recovered fully from that monster cough I got two or three weeks ago, the one that nearly blew my brain and aspyxiated me when it would go on and on. Now it's better but phlegms up like mad. Anyway, I need to get in shape again. Driving is potentially a health hazard.

Well here's signing off for now. The run's definitely going to make me sleep nice and good tonight...for sure

Ladies and...ladies?

I seriously need some counsel or advice on this particular issue, so I offer you a chance to use my tagboard or comments board.

It's freaky, but I think that the frequency of me seeing lesbians in trains or buses is increasing. And somehow, they always seem to appear there. Now, there's this one thing about girls that I don't understand; it's how they can be so touchy-wouchy and icky wicky and huggy wuggy and lovey dovey and I don't know how to interpret it. Of course, through the years of witnessing such (what I used to consider) obscene displays of intimacy, I've come to understand that the long hug is actually quite a habit of girls (weird) and sometimes even holding hands for short periods of time. Fine. But when it comes to holding hands right through a shopping centre, or leaning on each other's necks, or pinning your partner against the glass panel of the train in a really devilish way, I start getting frightened. And another pattern I observed: like some friend of mine affirmed, one girl is extremely attractive, and the other has this sort of masculine look. Rather, trying to pull of a masculine image. Sometimes she looks completely unlady-like in figure (you know what I mean, yes I examine those areas to double check it's not a guy), or if she does have the lady-like figure, she makes it up in her fashion sense or hairstyle. Whatever the case, the voice will always give her away. Of course I could be mistaken cuz some boys have extremely girlish voices, but from my judgement, if those 'boys' had that kind of voice, they might've borrowed a voice box from a girl. I'm telling you I'm darn confused. Anyway needless to say, the other partner is extremely attractive and can be quite a looker, and you'll end up wondering why she isn't available to straight men who would be more appreciative of a normal biological relationship that exists between heterosexuals.

So I need a bit of affirmation as to whether my observations are accurate or not (about the girl-more-like-girl-guy observation), and I need some enlightenment as to how girls show affection or erm, a sign of friendship towards each other. Do you always go goo-ey like taht? It's shameful, and out-of-place. I've been suspecting too many of the couples I've been seeing lately fall under this category, but I can't come to conclusions. Think about it: holding hands for really really long time (factor in the girl and boyish looking girl thing), laying on each other's necks and just enjoying the bus air-con, cornering the partner in this lustful pose (I must say this one was especially creepy because the girl was really really hot, and the 'girl' inside the cornering was some dweeby skinny looking person). The worst part of all may be that these so called 'girls' are really guys who look neither here nor there, but tending towards girlishness. I mean after all, Chinese guys here look a bit...erm, controversial it may sound, but when they do all those funny things to their hair, plus their normally skinny delicate frames and hairlessness, they look like girls. So, I don't know. I'm really really confused. And disturbed by the fact that I'm seeing more lesbian couples. Not even gays. Guys don't go around touching each other like that.

ARGH please please enlighten me!