The truth will set you free

It was just last year that he announced he will be registering the new Reform party, which will potentially alter the political opposition landscape in Singapore. But, this morning, I got a rude shock through mobile news that JB Jayaretnam, or better known as JBJ, had passed away in the early morning due to a heart failure. My first reaction: "What's gonna happen to the Reform Party?"

I had hoped that this newcomer will surprise us at the next elections (which I will be voting in) with new and feasible policies, which will definitely make politics more interesting to watch in Singapore. An old-timer in opposition politics, JBJ's name is synonymous with an outspoken opposition hero. He has faced uphill battles, and I thought it was admirable that he was fighting till his last breath for some fresh air in politics through what he called "reform". And I agree that Singapore's politics can get suffocating at times. It is even amazing how the points he brought up during his announcement of setting up this new political party resonate, albeit being a tad too idealistic. But reform can be idealistic sometimes right? Aim high, and if you fall, at least you land among the clouds.

He even called the press a scandal. Ha. A real dogged man.

On a lighter note, though not much lighter, recess weeks really do come and go, don't they? One week just whizzed past, just like that. But, it has been good so far. I got an ego boost from the A Prof Ho gave me for the essay. His randomly-plastered "good"s and "nice"s all over the essay made me feel like a genius. And I thought I wrote badly. Ok, I'm going overboard. But, it really makes me feel good because I'm doing well for my minor, which I like a lot.

Let's hope the rest of the week stays like this. Great. Tomorrow there's fashion bash, and most probably I'd be attending it. Yeppie!

Youth without Youth: A look into the conscious

"He who dreams of drinking wine may weep when morning comes; he who dreams of weeping may in the morning go off to hunt. While he is dreaming he does not know it is a dream, and in his dream he may even try to interpret a dream. Only after he wakes does he know it was a dream. And someday there will be a great awakening when we know that this is all a great dream. Yet the stupid believe they are awake, busily and brightly assuming they understand things, calling this man ruler, that one herdsman—how dense! Confucius and you are both dreaming! And when I say you are dreaming, I am dreaming, too."

---Zhuang Zi

Youth without Youth is a brilliant movie. A coherent and enigmatic film about religion, death and the ultimate question of "Is reality all but a dream?"

My favourite kind of movie. That I'll only watch alone. It's a kind of pride and selfishness I've always had with these movies.

Random holiday thoughts

We ended our one year stint as 14th JCRC with a full stomach...and plenty of jokes.

The committee is really nicer off-work. The place was good too.

Forget it, i can hardly piece sentences now. I shall stop here, saying that it has been a nice holiday so far.

But, I haven't been to the Biennale. Boo hoo.

Eason

Two photos of Eason taken at Lunar, which I quite liked:

Back with a vengeance

One week in exchange for another week. :)

I've worked hard all week, and even though this week won't be all that smooth and easy either, with more mid-terms coming, I've decided to slack off a little and enjoy some "myself" time.

Paparazzi will be here in a week, and we're a little worried bout the money not coming in, though the general perception by the committee is that we're selling good. I have no idea what's wrong. But I'm tallying the money tomorrow, to make sure nothing's wrong. Today...rest.

In a week, I've decided on a few programmes. A short trip to the Picturehouse, maybe an afternoon touring the Biennale, and maybe some shopping in town with mum. Don't try to date me already because one week is really short. And all these are on top of schoolwork and paparazzi. I'm trying to balance work and play, because it always works better for me this way. Though play is not entirely play, because Picturehouse and Biennale cleans your soul and shopping is therapy. It's all in the spirit of self-improvement. :)

I'm excited about sorting out photos and images for the new satellite thingie Junfeng gave me as a retirement gift too. I like to do brainless stuff. Keep me occupied when the thing up there's not working that well.

Something more serious: The US economy is getting worrying. You wonder how long this will continue. Another Great Depression, we all hope not. But, it sure looks like the beginning of something huge. What a year it has been.

Anyway, I'm hooked on Prolific once again. I picked up something new too: random acting. Someone give me the Star Awards.

Loving myself,
:):):)Ah Moon

Warning

Expect no entries from me next week, because there are two mid-terms scheduled.

And if you see me blogging, it means I'm procrastinating.

Either that or something important must have happened.

:)

Sweeping the streets I used to own

Sweet romanticism, nice to indulge in dreams.

I dream of walking through the Taipei streets.Unfamiliar faces stream past, everyone of them harbouring a secret story of their own. I have mine too.

I record the faces. I go back and look at them, and attempt to reconstruct the stories. Their lives will seem better than mine, it has always been this way, hasn't it?

I get lost in a city I know.

I'm dressed up in the most absurd colours, and people shoot me glances. I walk around aimlessly, I have no one on my speed dial, I have no one for help. I'm stuck on the vast desert in an urban city.

I read a book in an old bookstore. I sip coffee at a traditional joint. I talk to random people.

I switched off my phone, in case I get a call. They'd call to tell me it's all a dream.

Wake me up when September ends

Hello world,

It has been a hectic weekend, because I chose to make it so. I went to interview this unknown guy at Starbucks Tampines yesterday and it felt like a match-making session. But I got my interview, so the rest don't really matter. I was trying to sip up all I have left in the tall cup of java chip frappucino so that I can make a quick exit. It feels weird to sit with someone you hardly know. But, before you start thinking he's some kind of pervert or weirdo, I reassure you that he's an ok guy. Though he's still a stranger.

I went to cover the Jam event, and halfway through, it started raining. I thank myself for wearing hardy sandals instead of nice shoes, plus a warm cardigan. And I was actually grateful because rain meant that there was a good angle to the story. Quasimodo totally rocked the crowd and they deserved to be the champion. I didn't mind the booming music from the stereos because I actually quite like jam concerts. In the rain, well, that's something special.

I was on my way to the gym today when I met Jinquan and Kelvin. I've been seeing a lot of old friends lately (saw Angel yesterday at Cine). We went to the gym together :) so I wasn't alone. Though gym is more of a solitary affair. Sweat actually made me feel more alive. I love exercise, when I'm in the mood.

Also, I'm actually going to Taiwan for INSTEP!!!!I can imagine the shopping, eating and of course I hope, great friends!!!

September has been quite a good month for now. But gosh, the mid-terms are coming. I don't want to remind you, neither do I want to remind myself. I foresee busy days.

I'm really going to dream until Sep ends,
Moon

Disdain

I spent my night pouring my grouses to Seow, Sing Ying and Crystal yesterday after AGM. I went on and on, without catching my breath. Honestly speaking, it was the first time I felt as if I was defending Hong Wei, my president. And ok, I wasn't really defending him, but this time round, I was on his side. I wasn't complaining about his ineptitude at expressing himself nicely or angry at his inflexibility. It was all because I hate people using lowdown means trying to put someone down.

Shervonne and Clarence really shocked the room when we saw the printed google group emails. I thought that was really uncalled for and a total infringement on privacy. Anyway, throughout the night, I was annoyed at the incoherence of all the arguments and attacks. They were not smart at all. And i used to think that Shervonne was eloquent and a good debater. Everyone just made no sense yesterday. Even Hong Wei. I understood his point that he did not want to "shoot back" at them, but he shouldn't have been too defensive, and should try to explain things more clearly and logically. He chose the wrong argument most of the time. You'd feel like the art of the rhetoric is a lost cause if you had witness the sad situation yesterday. Wrong words, wrong tone, unconvincing fight. I was glad when Stanley took a stand and gave the most coherent speech ever I've heard in hall.

Gosh.

And long English words that people do not understand doesn't make you look smarter. Clear sentences and logic do.

Also, at the same time, I was receiving smses from CNA about the plight in different countries, like Pakistan and Thailand. And I look at those pathetic people (I'm sometimes one of them too) and thought: "We're here fighting about these stupid stuff when there are more things to worry about." I wonder why they don't use their angry speeches at the Speaker's corner to fight for a cause more worth fighting for. Unless they were fighting for the rights of the residents, which I think they were not. At least it looked unconvincing.

I'm going to brush up on my speechmaking skills. I don't want to have someone criticise me like the way I do to others when it comes time I speak up. Otherwise I'd rather not speak at all. Sometimes, silence makes the strongest argument.