Orders some wasabe marinated fried prawns...
It had been awhile since I got that rare magical feeling. Last evening I attended the wedding of Gary and Elaine, atop Fort Canning Hill at The Legends.
Sure. Gerard and I were anticipating the cheesy moments: "Final Countdown" being played as the waitresses walk in holding up trays. (It turned out, the couple seized this cheesy moment and made the best of it: they played some song about Smurfs marching in while the waitresses did their hackneyed thing).
Sure. There was wine and food, I might add LOTS of wine and pretty good food.
Sure. There were the "best friends" and "best" men who ensured that Gary, the groom, did a forfeit at practically every table he visited for photgraphs. At our table, he had to eat fishballs. Apparently he has a terrible phobia of them. His facial expressions were classic Kodak moments I tell you.
But what took me was the warmth the celebrations. The long-time friends who did the slideshow of how the star lovebirds first met and grew up, the JC classmates of the bride who stuck it out with her through thick and thin, and the joy the couple displayed (not to mention the sympathising affection the bride showed her groom for all his forfeits).
In this age of the instant generation, fast food, high-speed LAN connections, faster fast cars, we tend to gravitate to quick solutions to problems that crop up don't you think? If weddings are on the rocks, its mostly accompanied by a divorce.
Where has that capacity to weather hardships, endurance, patience gone to in the summer of technology and fast-paced change? Is our strength to face hardships head-on in its winter years?
To the newly-weds, my blessings. To the rest of us, all the best.
Uncle T
28 May 2006
23 May 2006
The Bruised Ego? 11:25 pm
Orders mee pok tah, less chilli, tam pok ketchup...
You punch me, I stab you
It just may be pure coincidence. Rather, more possibly a heightened awareness; that of late I have noticed, regardless of the circumstance (at work, in voluntary church work, amongst relations...) that there is the occurance of the bruised ego.
Such laceration is manageable, but the defensive stances and mechanisms that kick in, in consequence, is something that glares right at me. Startling. Daunting. Rather disturbing. Person A's words and/or actions injure Person B's ego. In retaliation, Person B acts and/or says something in defense.
Seems perfectly natural in the natural world, but couple it with human malice, sarcasm, vindication, it only but serves to present the ugliest side (sight) of people.
Look me no up? Why look me up and down?
Ever walked into a local cafe, and seemed as though the whole restaurant turns to look at you, and for a few minute moments size you up?
Or how you meet an old friend along Orchard and you're with your girlfriend? And noticed the first moments you exchange greetings, YOUR friend is looking at your girlfriend (and not you)?
Yong and I have noticed this disturbing occurance in Singapore. I initially brushed her growing concerns about others who keep sizing her up along the streets, saying she was being paranoid and laughed it off. But I soon reassessed this.
Given the opportunity, on MRT, bus stop, makan place, anywhere in Singapore, people look each other from head to toe. If there is an "other half" around, a few muttered words will be exchanged, with their eyes trained on the "person" in question. I admit to this too.
But what is the motivation? The reason? I can only make wild guesses at what goes through people's head when the size me up on the streets:
"Wah! The guy damn fat la"
"Biang! His shirt super ah pek!"
"Hmmmm...think is gerfren taller then him leh!"
Can anyone shed light on this? Why do we Singaporeans size each other up like that? An insecure society, perhaps? I hear that in Western societies, such occurances are significantly less. Is that true?
Help me. Ask friends. Then drop me a mail. Will put up your hypotheses here.
Uncle T
You punch me, I stab you
It just may be pure coincidence. Rather, more possibly a heightened awareness; that of late I have noticed, regardless of the circumstance (at work, in voluntary church work, amongst relations...) that there is the occurance of the bruised ego.
Such laceration is manageable, but the defensive stances and mechanisms that kick in, in consequence, is something that glares right at me. Startling. Daunting. Rather disturbing. Person A's words and/or actions injure Person B's ego. In retaliation, Person B acts and/or says something in defense.
Seems perfectly natural in the natural world, but couple it with human malice, sarcasm, vindication, it only but serves to present the ugliest side (sight) of people.
Look me no up? Why look me up and down?
Ever walked into a local cafe, and seemed as though the whole restaurant turns to look at you, and for a few minute moments size you up?
Or how you meet an old friend along Orchard and you're with your girlfriend? And noticed the first moments you exchange greetings, YOUR friend is looking at your girlfriend (and not you)?
Yong and I have noticed this disturbing occurance in Singapore. I initially brushed her growing concerns about others who keep sizing her up along the streets, saying she was being paranoid and laughed it off. But I soon reassessed this.
Given the opportunity, on MRT, bus stop, makan place, anywhere in Singapore, people look each other from head to toe. If there is an "other half" around, a few muttered words will be exchanged, with their eyes trained on the "person" in question. I admit to this too.
But what is the motivation? The reason? I can only make wild guesses at what goes through people's head when the size me up on the streets:
"Wah! The guy damn fat la"
"Biang! His shirt super ah pek!"
"Hmmmm...think is gerfren taller then him leh!"
Can anyone shed light on this? Why do we Singaporeans size each other up like that? An insecure society, perhaps? I hear that in Western societies, such occurances are significantly less. Is that true?
Help me. Ask friends. Then drop me a mail. Will put up your hypotheses here.
Uncle T
There is Hope! 12:05 am
And the Heavens are not blind!
There is yet hope
In the mud and drudge of things!
Never say die
Up, man! Try!
Uncle T
There is yet hope
In the mud and drudge of things!
Never say die
Up, man! Try!
Uncle T
16 May 2006
Greyness looms... 12:57 am
How one phone call may potentially purge dreams, smudge out hopes. I did receive one of such nature.
That aside, it was a delightful gathering at Lucas' (sure, with a choc fudge banana cake from Secret Receipe's) for his 21st. (All it takes is a string of these 21sts and a month's wage can diminish with such unwitting speed).
The whole bunch were there, with good Peranakan home-cooked, wacky conversations and to top it all off, the traditional get-around-the-table-after-dinner chat, of random topics, jokes and disses. I for one appreciated the long relations I have had with the people at the table, especially the birthday boy.
To an old friend (or is it foe?), here is a tribute to the years I knew you as one helluva character that I will always have in my memories. To your future, to you as a person and your family, cheers.
O how sweet it is
In the world of the silly
Where there is only space
For joy!
Uncle T
That aside, it was a delightful gathering at Lucas' (sure, with a choc fudge banana cake from Secret Receipe's) for his 21st. (All it takes is a string of these 21sts and a month's wage can diminish with such unwitting speed).
The whole bunch were there, with good Peranakan home-cooked, wacky conversations and to top it all off, the traditional get-around-the-table-after-dinner chat, of random topics, jokes and disses. I for one appreciated the long relations I have had with the people at the table, especially the birthday boy.
To an old friend (or is it foe?), here is a tribute to the years I knew you as one helluva character that I will always have in my memories. To your future, to you as a person and your family, cheers.
O how sweet it is
In the world of the silly
Where there is only space
For joy!
Uncle T
14 May 2006
Lost. 5:06 pm
And you thought it would
Last?
Romantic! Worse!
Naive! No?
Sprouting from same the earth
Nurtured by the same
Light
But who knew which species?
You thought all were to
Cherish such nostalgia?
Darkness
Is a greater appeal!
You think they would allow you
In to share the morning worm?
Bah!
Think again!
We are all kings and queens,
Dukes and dutchesses,
Nobility
Of avarice and greed!
You say what?
Hope? Goodness?
Dignity? Chivalry?
Sure. Pull out
The dusty fairy tales.
Sure.
And you thought it would
Last?
Romantic! Worse!
Naive! No?
No. Naivety carries no such
Conviction as you do;
No such tears of despair
Wept for this barren earth;
No such hope
Of the rebirth.
Till "happy ever after",
It won't last.
Last?
Romantic! Worse!
Naive! No?
Sprouting from same the earth
Nurtured by the same
Light
But who knew which species?
You thought all were to
Cherish such nostalgia?
Darkness
Is a greater appeal!
You think they would allow you
In to share the morning worm?
Bah!
Think again!
We are all kings and queens,
Dukes and dutchesses,
Nobility
Of avarice and greed!
You say what?
Hope? Goodness?
Dignity? Chivalry?
Sure. Pull out
The dusty fairy tales.
Sure.
And you thought it would
Last?
Romantic! Worse!
Naive! No?
No. Naivety carries no such
Conviction as you do;
No such tears of despair
Wept for this barren earth;
No such hope
Of the rebirth.
Till "happy ever after",
It won't last.
11 May 2006
The Useless Little Shoot 5:54 pm
Orders a cup full of leniency for the lack of poetic beauty...
The young shoot
Frolicking amidst the
Luxury of youth,
Blessed by Time.
It seeks the birds
Bids the bees
Embraces the sunlight
Kisses the earth.
What joy! What freedom?
"But what purpose?
Useless!"
So says the tree
With Aged bark,
Towering above the little shoot,
Casting a dark shadow:
"Such decadence,
With no direction!
Grow branches and leaves!
Immature!"
Little shoot cowers in
Self-consciousness, guilt.
Shivering in the sudden chill.
Why? How? Where?
"Little one, look up! Why do you tear?
Shall you not someday grow to be
A sturdy tree, with full crown and
Nest of flowers?
"Your time is to come.
"Worry not about Aged Fury,
Listen to pretty Nature.
Follow your good heart".
The blind forest allowed Time
To Pass, and one found a
Young tree, strong and happy,
And an aged bark, dying.
That dark shadow,
Cankering at its roots,
Decaying from within.
Why? O justice?
It clamoured for the sun
With such purpose it forgot
To take firm roots in the
Ground.
In the end,
It was the useless little shoot,
That patiently grew
And found its eternal purpose.
09may06
Uncle T
The young shoot
Frolicking amidst the
Luxury of youth,
Blessed by Time.
It seeks the birds
Bids the bees
Embraces the sunlight
Kisses the earth.
What joy! What freedom?
"But what purpose?
Useless!"
So says the tree
With Aged bark,
Towering above the little shoot,
Casting a dark shadow:
"Such decadence,
With no direction!
Grow branches and leaves!
Immature!"
Little shoot cowers in
Self-consciousness, guilt.
Shivering in the sudden chill.
Why? How? Where?
"Little one, look up! Why do you tear?
Shall you not someday grow to be
A sturdy tree, with full crown and
Nest of flowers?
"Your time is to come.
"Worry not about Aged Fury,
Listen to pretty Nature.
Follow your good heart".
The blind forest allowed Time
To Pass, and one found a
Young tree, strong and happy,
And an aged bark, dying.
That dark shadow,
Cankering at its roots,
Decaying from within.
Why? O justice?
It clamoured for the sun
With such purpose it forgot
To take firm roots in the
Ground.
In the end,
It was the useless little shoot,
That patiently grew
And found its eternal purpose.
09may06
Uncle T
The Useless Little Shoot 5:44 pm
Orders a cup full of leniency for the lack of poetic beauty...
The young shoot
Frolicking amidst the
Luxury of youth,
Blessed by Time.
It seeks the birds
Bids the bees
Embraces the sunlight
Kisses the earth.
What joy! What freedom?
"But what purpose?
Useless!"
So says the tree
With Aged bark,
Towering above the little shoot,
Casting a dark shadow:
"Such decadence,
With no direction!
Grow branches and leaves!
Immature!"
Little shoot cowers in
Self-consciousness, guilt.
Shivering in the sudden chill.
Why? How? Where?
"Little one, look up! Why do you tear?
Shall you not someday grow to be
A sturdy tree, with full crown and
Nest of flowers?
"Your time is to come.
"Worry not about Aged Fury,
Listen to pretty Nature.
Follow your good heart".
The blind forest allowed Time
To Pass, and one found a
Young tree, strong and happy,
And an aged bark, dying.
That dark shadow,
Cankering at its roots,
Decaying from within.
Why? O justice?
It clamoured for the sun
With such purpose it forgot
To take firm roots in the
Ground.
In the end,
It was the useless little shoot,
That patiently grew
And found its eternal purpose.
09may06
Uncle T
The young shoot
Frolicking amidst the
Luxury of youth,
Blessed by Time.
It seeks the birds
Bids the bees
Embraces the sunlight
Kisses the earth.
What joy! What freedom?
"But what purpose?
Useless!"
So says the tree
With Aged bark,
Towering above the little shoot,
Casting a dark shadow:
"Such decadence,
With no direction!
Grow branches and leaves!
Immature!"
Little shoot cowers in
Self-consciousness, guilt.
Shivering in the sudden chill.
Why? How? Where?
"Little one, look up! Why do you tear?
Shall you not someday grow to be
A sturdy tree, with full crown and
Nest of flowers?
"Your time is to come.
"Worry not about Aged Fury,
Listen to pretty Nature.
Follow your good heart".
The blind forest allowed Time
To Pass, and one found a
Young tree, strong and happy,
And an aged bark, dying.
That dark shadow,
Cankering at its roots,
Decaying from within.
Why? O justice?
It clamoured for the sun
With such purpose it forgot
To take firm roots in the
Ground.
In the end,
It was the useless little shoot,
That patiently grew
And found its eternal purpose.
09may06
Uncle T
5 May 2006
Perhaps... 1:42 am
I miss that lady
That girl, that woman.
Perhaps it is this gloom
That sinks me knee-deep
In the drudge of the absence
Of hope, of Purpose.
Repeatedly the woman in habit
Spoke of a true sense of self
A brilliant honesty with self
An enlightenment.
O sacred self,
Where art thou hiding?
Uncle T
That girl, that woman.
Perhaps it is this gloom
That sinks me knee-deep
In the drudge of the absence
Of hope, of Purpose.
Repeatedly the woman in habit
Spoke of a true sense of self
A brilliant honesty with self
An enlightenment.
O sacred self,
Where art thou hiding?
Uncle T
Dragging this chasm around... 1:34 am
Orders some purpose in this existence...
I have been dragging my fatigued body around the whole day; a good distance from Yio Chu Kang-NUH, NUH-Boon Lay, Boon Lay-YCK, YCK Somerset...
The tired body consequently drags the mind down with it too. Despite such drugery, I believed I scored a miniscule victory at work, and will work towards a series of few more, since snatching the big wins are hard (in life as well).
I headed down to Acid Bar today, with David and Wendy not only being nice to let me do 4 songs, but also bough me Ribena with 7-up (one of my favs!). Sigh...have so much more ground to cover musically. yet, I still want opportunities to perform and find my vocal tone that I have yet to discover. Wendy says she will help via pointers.
It's late. I'm allowing the vicious cycle repeat itself, and tomorrow shall be a long day again. Let's stride through the mud of drudge.
(forgive me, its close to 2 in the morning)
The lack of purpose
Forms a chasm of
Drudge.
Where is the stride forward?
What is weighing me?
Discordance!
Uncle T
I have been dragging my fatigued body around the whole day; a good distance from Yio Chu Kang-NUH, NUH-Boon Lay, Boon Lay-YCK, YCK Somerset...
The tired body consequently drags the mind down with it too. Despite such drugery, I believed I scored a miniscule victory at work, and will work towards a series of few more, since snatching the big wins are hard (in life as well).
I headed down to Acid Bar today, with David and Wendy not only being nice to let me do 4 songs, but also bough me Ribena with 7-up (one of my favs!). Sigh...have so much more ground to cover musically. yet, I still want opportunities to perform and find my vocal tone that I have yet to discover. Wendy says she will help via pointers.
It's late. I'm allowing the vicious cycle repeat itself, and tomorrow shall be a long day again. Let's stride through the mud of drudge.
(forgive me, its close to 2 in the morning)
The lack of purpose
Forms a chasm of
Drudge.
Where is the stride forward?
What is weighing me?
Discordance!
Uncle T
3 May 2006
It's still sinking in... 11:49 pm
Orders nasi briani with chicken curry and some company...
After a rather depressing day at work (for a few reasons), I bused down to City Hall, and met up with Russ and Kel, and their friends. We made our way to the Catholic Centre down at Waterloo.
Today's was the final installation of a series of forums, and the topic today was on homosexuality and the Church.
As we closed the session with "troubled hearts", there indeed was a challenge laid down to all of us in learning to respect and love homosexuals, first as people. Of course, many of us, including the panel, wished for the Church to take more proactive steps towards helping gays to manage their tendencies that run contrary to cultural, religious and social norms.
I was heartened by the presence of a gay guy's, who spearheads Christian groups for gays, willingness to arrive at a meeting point with the Church's stand, which SEEMS to be a cemented one.
Uncle T
After a rather depressing day at work (for a few reasons), I bused down to City Hall, and met up with Russ and Kel, and their friends. We made our way to the Catholic Centre down at Waterloo.
Today's was the final installation of a series of forums, and the topic today was on homosexuality and the Church.
As we closed the session with "troubled hearts", there indeed was a challenge laid down to all of us in learning to respect and love homosexuals, first as people. Of course, many of us, including the panel, wished for the Church to take more proactive steps towards helping gays to manage their tendencies that run contrary to cultural, religious and social norms.
I was heartened by the presence of a gay guy's, who spearheads Christian groups for gays, willingness to arrive at a meeting point with the Church's stand, which SEEMS to be a cemented one.
O Sacred me,
Wherefore art thou?
Tis hiding behind
Conveniences of secular alibi?
Uncle T
2 May 2006
And as if that wasn't enough... 11:56 pm
The boys brought me to Hard Rock for dinner tonight. Thanks buddies, including the little surprise that you gave me :) That will be for us to know. Cheers buddies, to the CB Club. You guys have been a real blessing.
A toast! Where's the ONE?
Uncle T
That what friends are for... 11:32 pm
Orders a good dose of blessings and gratitude, for 21 wonderful years...
Happy Birthday, nicfoo
Had the best birthday gathering last Sunday. Indeed. Good food, family, best friends, and sheer ridiculous fun.
After an exhausting game of soccer with Russ and Wei Ze (Seng joined us later), we headed to the function room (not without meeting the chick in white at the pool!).
With the last of the 15 friends streaming in, we had food from across the island that my dad and I went round to bring to the dinner table: rendang from 6th Ave, Hokkien Mee from Kallang, curry from Whoampo and duck from Balestier.
Courtesy of my sis, we had games after cutting cake (which was an awesome cheese brownie) with insane forfeits: like plucking 21 strands of my leg hair, which was subsequently downed (with Coke) by Lucas! Geez!
The rest was history; good fun, dumped in the pool...
Who could ask for anything more?
A dearest family,
Friends of old,
Friends of recent years,
Relationships that defined,
People that inspired
Me.
Who could ask for anything more?
But the completing presence
Of my galvanising angel
Amen!
Uncle T
Happy Birthday, nicfoo
Had the best birthday gathering last Sunday. Indeed. Good food, family, best friends, and sheer ridiculous fun.
After an exhausting game of soccer with Russ and Wei Ze (Seng joined us later), we headed to the function room (not without meeting the chick in white at the pool!).
With the last of the 15 friends streaming in, we had food from across the island that my dad and I went round to bring to the dinner table: rendang from 6th Ave, Hokkien Mee from Kallang, curry from Whoampo and duck from Balestier.
Courtesy of my sis, we had games after cutting cake (which was an awesome cheese brownie) with insane forfeits: like plucking 21 strands of my leg hair, which was subsequently downed (with Coke) by Lucas! Geez!
The rest was history; good fun, dumped in the pool...
Who could ask for anything more?
A dearest family,
Friends of old,
Friends of recent years,
Relationships that defined,
People that inspired
Me.
Who could ask for anything more?
But the completing presence
Of my galvanising angel
Amen!
Uncle T
30 Apr 2006
What a pretty Sunday... 8:20 am
Orders a teh...
Indeed, it is a pretty Sunday morning, blue skies, with the gentle sunlight amiably meeting the pinnacle of the roofs, the cool air generous.
I'm heading off to Sunday Mass soon, but cannot bear the urge to pen my thoughts:
The 29th day of the 4th month of the 2006th year after Christ, the day after the day before, the day before today, the day before tomorrow: YESTERDAY
I met a friend for a short lunch yesterday; I was introduced to good wholemeal sandwiches (yes, in my latest attempt to lose the girth the fast way: eating right. its not working...) from Lido, and had a delightful chat on the local politics, the apathy, the fashionable trend to being alternative etc.
I intended to do an UNfashionable thing last evening, attending a rally or two of the local political parties. Could not find company, and Daddy and I had errands to run. Dang. Will try attend one this GE.
My Heart in Sri Lanka (heh, good title for a sappy love song yes?)
I miss that princess of mine. I just heard of the news that the rebels are holding open hostilities with the Sri Lankan authorities in the northern regions. I pray for minimal collateral damage, and no fight be brought into Colombo and Kandy.
Dante Promotion!!!!
I did manage to convince Russ to take up a Dante to read (the first canticle) and hope to do likewise with as many other friends. I love that guy, Dante the Poet. I just finished his biography and am reading a random book "Ghandi and India", and of course lapping up "Inferno".
Where have all the flowers gone?
Just before I scoot, I would like to raise a pertinent issue that has been weighing on my mind of late. It is indeed sad, from my humble observation, that it is increasingly so that values of universal worth (chivalry, courage, loyalty) seem to retreat only into TV programs, ancient films, classical novels, the cynisist's playground, and seem lacking from the core of society and our human existence.
Perhaps I'll elaborate further in another post, but think about it. Where is the romanticism in true love? Where is the admiration in courgage in standing by one's principles? Does the measure of self worth have degenerated to the point of using only one indicator, that of one's paycheck or bank account statement?
Indeed, where is that rustic charm of the human spirit?
Uncle T
Indeed, it is a pretty Sunday morning, blue skies, with the gentle sunlight amiably meeting the pinnacle of the roofs, the cool air generous.
I'm heading off to Sunday Mass soon, but cannot bear the urge to pen my thoughts:
The 29th day of the 4th month of the 2006th year after Christ, the day after the day before, the day before today, the day before tomorrow: YESTERDAY
I met a friend for a short lunch yesterday; I was introduced to good wholemeal sandwiches (yes, in my latest attempt to lose the girth the fast way: eating right. its not working...) from Lido, and had a delightful chat on the local politics, the apathy, the fashionable trend to being alternative etc.
I intended to do an UNfashionable thing last evening, attending a rally or two of the local political parties. Could not find company, and Daddy and I had errands to run. Dang. Will try attend one this GE.
My Heart in Sri Lanka (heh, good title for a sappy love song yes?)
I miss that princess of mine. I just heard of the news that the rebels are holding open hostilities with the Sri Lankan authorities in the northern regions. I pray for minimal collateral damage, and no fight be brought into Colombo and Kandy.
Dante Promotion!!!!
I did manage to convince Russ to take up a Dante to read (the first canticle) and hope to do likewise with as many other friends. I love that guy, Dante the Poet. I just finished his biography and am reading a random book "Ghandi and India", and of course lapping up "Inferno".
Where have all the flowers gone?
Just before I scoot, I would like to raise a pertinent issue that has been weighing on my mind of late. It is indeed sad, from my humble observation, that it is increasingly so that values of universal worth (chivalry, courage, loyalty) seem to retreat only into TV programs, ancient films, classical novels, the cynisist's playground, and seem lacking from the core of society and our human existence.
Perhaps I'll elaborate further in another post, but think about it. Where is the romanticism in true love? Where is the admiration in courgage in standing by one's principles? Does the measure of self worth have degenerated to the point of using only one indicator, that of one's paycheck or bank account statement?
Indeed, where is that rustic charm of the human spirit?
Uncle T