It is saddening to hear about more deaths in Iraq daily on the news, which makes one wonder how many more souls are lost not reported on BBC due to the lack of space for "Middle East" news; deaths simply excluded too easily.
Do you think the more troops the West sends into Iraq, the more it fuels the anti-occupational sentiment, causing more Iraqis and multi-national forces to lose their lives? Some believe more troops in Iraq can outnumber insurgents, yet others believe that more troops will only fuel the wrath of the local insurgents. Perhaps only after buckets of innocent blood, will history draw a conclusive answer. Perhaps never conclusive. Will we ever know?
At Warwick's One World Week forum yesterday, the Personal Adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister was on the panel of "Questioning Democracy". "We write our Constitution in our blood" which sounded like a line from a Hollywood epic, held much meaning when he said it through his stories of the struggle of the Iraqi people to be self-deterministic. He was very fervent in bringing across the point that democracy in Iraq is not imported, but one that is determined, fought and preserved by the Iraqi people.
Does America think it is exporting its own brand of democracy into Iraq? On one hand, US is like a mother who always thinks she knows best. But she forgets her kid grows up, and has his own pride and set of experiences that makes him a unique individual. She must learn to let go isn't it?
Random comparison
Between freedom of speech and efficacy, which would you choose?
Uncle T
21 Jan 2007
11 Jan 2007
Notes from the Human Kite 10:16 pm
Human Kite
Winds here are so strong here in the country that the notion of a human kite is as far as you can spread your arms out in the wind. One can actually suffocate from winds walking to lecture. Imagine. Dying on your way to a morning lecture. Double shit. But I didn't and live to do more work piling.
Women...coming right up!
Just an observation from reading the news in the past couple of weeks: a recent number of women breaking the glass ceiling and assuming prominent leadership positions on the international scene.
Democrats have taken the majority in the House of Representatives in the US, they have a woman boss. WHO chief, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, potential candidate for French top political office, my missus...
I'm glad to see that women rights' activitists are not seeing their good work going to waste in levelling the playing field in a generally patriarcal era we currently live in (and have been for far too long). Equal society, equal opportunities is good, isn't it? Discrimination is bad in general, no? But what troubles me is the notion of "positive discrimination". It is essentially a discriminatory process, with which as advocates of a free and equal society should principally disagree with, but yet it is this process that is touted one of the better means to achieve equality in an already unequal world.
The new UN chief said that he would appoint a woman deputy, and he did. So in this case, is the Tanzanian lady who is now his deputy there because of her merits, or because she is woman? It is fair enough to say she's the woman with the most merits relevant for the position, but essentially she is chosen because she is an Eve-descendant, hence discrimination.
No, don't get me wrong in thinking I'm not supportive of having an African woman as the number two in the UN, but I'm just puzzled by the proposing arguments and opposing ones for "positive discrimination". Possibly there are other substansive means to level the playing field other than appealing to the very principle that made the playing field uneven in the first place.
Uncle T
Winds here are so strong here in the country that the notion of a human kite is as far as you can spread your arms out in the wind. One can actually suffocate from winds walking to lecture. Imagine. Dying on your way to a morning lecture. Double shit. But I didn't and live to do more work piling.
Women...coming right up!
Just an observation from reading the news in the past couple of weeks: a recent number of women breaking the glass ceiling and assuming prominent leadership positions on the international scene.
Democrats have taken the majority in the House of Representatives in the US, they have a woman boss. WHO chief, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, potential candidate for French top political office, my missus...
I'm glad to see that women rights' activitists are not seeing their good work going to waste in levelling the playing field in a generally patriarcal era we currently live in (and have been for far too long). Equal society, equal opportunities is good, isn't it? Discrimination is bad in general, no? But what troubles me is the notion of "positive discrimination". It is essentially a discriminatory process, with which as advocates of a free and equal society should principally disagree with, but yet it is this process that is touted one of the better means to achieve equality in an already unequal world.
The new UN chief said that he would appoint a woman deputy, and he did. So in this case, is the Tanzanian lady who is now his deputy there because of her merits, or because she is woman? It is fair enough to say she's the woman with the most merits relevant for the position, but essentially she is chosen because she is an Eve-descendant, hence discrimination.
No, don't get me wrong in thinking I'm not supportive of having an African woman as the number two in the UN, but I'm just puzzled by the proposing arguments and opposing ones for "positive discrimination". Possibly there are other substansive means to level the playing field other than appealing to the very principle that made the playing field uneven in the first place.
Uncle T
7 Jan 2007
I don't know. Someone explain the intuition. 3:59 pm
I don't know. Someone explain the intuition.
I find it bewildering, intuitively. One moment they are asking for the empowerment of the fallen people of Iraq; hours of news on the Iraqi people usurp TV air time, there must be a restoration of autonomy in the government of Iraq. Lifes have been lost fighting to return that sovereign right back to the country. Then this autonomy provides a long but conclusive trial on Saddam and sentences him to death, along with his other 2 bigwigs in tow. But the very people who tried to restore the sovereignty of Iraq is condemning not only Saddam's death but trying to intervene and make the Iraqi government reverse its decision on Saddam's other henchmen.
Is the ability to exercise one's own decision not what liberalism fundamentally protects? Is there the West's own brand of liberalism?
Are you seeing why I'm bewildered intuitively? Possibly fathom why hypocracy surfaces in thinking about this? I'm trying to steer clear as much as possible from cynicism as much as possible. Worse, the West (they are generally the ones who wanted Saddam dead and now are the ones who are criticising it and death sentence etc.) are trying to use the UN to pressure for a reversal of the other two hangings of Saddam's accomplices. If the rationale is that this is a principled argument against the death sentence, can there also be a principled argument for the death sentence? Debators would agree with the latter. So why must one principal rule over the other with ubiquitous force when we are not a homogeneous people? Why must the liberals be so unliberal in their thinking, that they come across acting as ducks tripping over their feet? (one moment wanting Saddam dead, the next playing the benovelent saviour).
Liberalism seeks to protect the individual's liberty, and is not the capacity to make one's own decisions a part of that liberty? If yes, then the Western liberal world should at least start trying to even understand that there are possible rational circumstances when the death penalty may be applicable in certain countries. Principled disagreements are to be expected, but if one is a liberal, he/she must be liberal enough to respect the decision-making capacity of another individual no?
Honestly, think about this. I know I may not be totally appealing to the logic behind all this, it is just unnerving that I intuitively feel disconcerted over this, living in a Western society, brought up on Asian values and studying politics.
I don't know. Someone explain the intuition
Uncle T
I find it bewildering, intuitively. One moment they are asking for the empowerment of the fallen people of Iraq; hours of news on the Iraqi people usurp TV air time, there must be a restoration of autonomy in the government of Iraq. Lifes have been lost fighting to return that sovereign right back to the country. Then this autonomy provides a long but conclusive trial on Saddam and sentences him to death, along with his other 2 bigwigs in tow. But the very people who tried to restore the sovereignty of Iraq is condemning not only Saddam's death but trying to intervene and make the Iraqi government reverse its decision on Saddam's other henchmen.
Is the ability to exercise one's own decision not what liberalism fundamentally protects? Is there the West's own brand of liberalism?
Are you seeing why I'm bewildered intuitively? Possibly fathom why hypocracy surfaces in thinking about this? I'm trying to steer clear as much as possible from cynicism as much as possible. Worse, the West (they are generally the ones who wanted Saddam dead and now are the ones who are criticising it and death sentence etc.) are trying to use the UN to pressure for a reversal of the other two hangings of Saddam's accomplices. If the rationale is that this is a principled argument against the death sentence, can there also be a principled argument for the death sentence? Debators would agree with the latter. So why must one principal rule over the other with ubiquitous force when we are not a homogeneous people? Why must the liberals be so unliberal in their thinking, that they come across acting as ducks tripping over their feet? (one moment wanting Saddam dead, the next playing the benovelent saviour).
Liberalism seeks to protect the individual's liberty, and is not the capacity to make one's own decisions a part of that liberty? If yes, then the Western liberal world should at least start trying to even understand that there are possible rational circumstances when the death penalty may be applicable in certain countries. Principled disagreements are to be expected, but if one is a liberal, he/she must be liberal enough to respect the decision-making capacity of another individual no?
Honestly, think about this. I know I may not be totally appealing to the logic behind all this, it is just unnerving that I intuitively feel disconcerted over this, living in a Western society, brought up on Asian values and studying politics.
I don't know. Someone explain the intuition
Uncle T
6 Jan 2007
Time seems all too buoyant 8:56 am
Before I know it, I was once again travelling alone. I could definitely get used to this inital novelty of solitude. Soon, I touched down at Heathrow. Not long after, my body took on a mechanism that seemed unfamiliar to me, as it went about getting on a NatEx bus to Coventry, hailing a cab to campus, and opening the front door of my flat. I was startled by the ease with which I went about this journey. The familiarity with which my hand reached into my pocket for the key, slot it in and turned the door of my flat seemed all too simple, considering how Warwick has only been my home for 3 months.
But those 3 months was a time where I built the experience myself; my room here in Warwick seems more familiar and comforting than my room back in Singapore. Strange. Mega-wierd (I quote Yong out of context). And after all the flurry of activities and hordes of people back home, the solitude on campus before term started was welcoming. I can go about my daily tasks with a quietness that provided me space for reflection and contemplation. As life slowly creeps back into campus, I'm already looking forward to the next time I will enjoy such warming solitude.
Time is such a buoyant concept, floating on an entity that is seemingly unfathomable to me other than mathematically. Technically an hour is very long, a month even longer, more so a year. But it all seems to fly by so quickly, and clarity of memory sometimes undermines the technical length of time.
As I watched a finch sitting on the bush outside my window, I felt that pregnant wait for school to reopen, exciting if I can muster up courage to take on the challenges that lie ahead, dreadful if I'm to allow the schedules to wash me by. I decide.
And to the rest, here's to a life lived to the full.
Uncle T
But those 3 months was a time where I built the experience myself; my room here in Warwick seems more familiar and comforting than my room back in Singapore. Strange. Mega-wierd (I quote Yong out of context). And after all the flurry of activities and hordes of people back home, the solitude on campus before term started was welcoming. I can go about my daily tasks with a quietness that provided me space for reflection and contemplation. As life slowly creeps back into campus, I'm already looking forward to the next time I will enjoy such warming solitude.
Time is such a buoyant concept, floating on an entity that is seemingly unfathomable to me other than mathematically. Technically an hour is very long, a month even longer, more so a year. But it all seems to fly by so quickly, and clarity of memory sometimes undermines the technical length of time.
As I watched a finch sitting on the bush outside my window, I felt that pregnant wait for school to reopen, exciting if I can muster up courage to take on the challenges that lie ahead, dreadful if I'm to allow the schedules to wash me by. I decide.
And to the rest, here's to a life lived to the full.
Uncle T
26 Dec 2006
Foreigner at Home 7:40 am
Orders fish head curry, sotong in black sauce, chap chye and lime juice...
Don't you sometimes feel as though you're red amidst a sea of blacks and whites? A lobster out of water, somewhat? As I squeezed through smiling bodies along a lighted Orchard Road, I don't exactly feel the intended Christmas blizz being at the heart of "Christmas in the Tropics". Fighting with prams that clip at your heels and flaring arms does not help the cause. But this is home. Or technically, an extention of "home".
Celebrating midnight Mass at Holy Spirit Church was home; the same joy as we celebrated the g0d-child's birthday; the carols that filled the air, greeting friends from days when I still did not have facial hair (some may argue I still don't), having family close at hand, this was home. Having the precious one sit next to me at a children's Mass earlier in the evening felt comforting, with the only discomfort being how this Christmas seems so awkwardly placed in my life; there hasn't seemed to be an preparation for its arrival, and for a moment actually felt foreign to me.
I am extremely glad to get to spend time with loved ones, with Yong and old old friends and family. That is home. Yet, it seems foreign when certain circumstances have changed; people who once were dating are now not, that seemingly commonplace in today's restless world, but disconcerting when you thought that relationship would see you at a wedding banquet in the end. There are no rules for love, for relationships specifically. One would be naive to think that any sort of empirical precedence would akin to rules in such complex matters; being attached to close to a decade doesn't mean you'll end up together.
It is just sometimes that you feel fundamentally disconnected from the very system that bred you. It is, possibly, at such times that you seek a life-changing experience. An experience that can change your perspective on the littlest things in life; the toilet as an unexpected haven, life as a gift, trees as perils to drivers...Changing perspectives, dynamic perspectives. When I saw the book "Jazz 101" on Desmond's organ, I thought that would be that book that would change my musical understanding, hence a how I may perceive life as a whole. From Borders to Kino, the book is out of stock for an indefinite period. Will continue to seek the book with that sureity of wanting that that epiphany-perspective change.
Uncle T
Don't you sometimes feel as though you're red amidst a sea of blacks and whites? A lobster out of water, somewhat? As I squeezed through smiling bodies along a lighted Orchard Road, I don't exactly feel the intended Christmas blizz being at the heart of "Christmas in the Tropics". Fighting with prams that clip at your heels and flaring arms does not help the cause. But this is home. Or technically, an extention of "home".
Celebrating midnight Mass at Holy Spirit Church was home; the same joy as we celebrated the g0d-child's birthday; the carols that filled the air, greeting friends from days when I still did not have facial hair (some may argue I still don't), having family close at hand, this was home. Having the precious one sit next to me at a children's Mass earlier in the evening felt comforting, with the only discomfort being how this Christmas seems so awkwardly placed in my life; there hasn't seemed to be an preparation for its arrival, and for a moment actually felt foreign to me.
I am extremely glad to get to spend time with loved ones, with Yong and old old friends and family. That is home. Yet, it seems foreign when certain circumstances have changed; people who once were dating are now not, that seemingly commonplace in today's restless world, but disconcerting when you thought that relationship would see you at a wedding banquet in the end. There are no rules for love, for relationships specifically. One would be naive to think that any sort of empirical precedence would akin to rules in such complex matters; being attached to close to a decade doesn't mean you'll end up together.
It is just sometimes that you feel fundamentally disconnected from the very system that bred you. It is, possibly, at such times that you seek a life-changing experience. An experience that can change your perspective on the littlest things in life; the toilet as an unexpected haven, life as a gift, trees as perils to drivers...Changing perspectives, dynamic perspectives. When I saw the book "Jazz 101" on Desmond's organ, I thought that would be that book that would change my musical understanding, hence a how I may perceive life as a whole. From Borders to Kino, the book is out of stock for an indefinite period. Will continue to seek the book with that sureity of wanting that that epiphany-perspective change.
Uncle T
13 Dec 2006
That sense... 1:00 am
The moment that iconic tower topped with the ball came into view in a backdrop of a green coastline, the sense quietly crept up against my skin. As the plane taxied through the terminal upon touchdown, seeing Singapore flags on the sides of other SQ planes had that sense take a better grip of my consciousness. And it was when the leading flight stewardess welcomed Singaporeans home over the announcement system when that sense engulfed me. Home.
I was home, a first homecoming, at least a proper month, for this was the furtherst and longest I have been away from home, from Singapore. I was not exactly nostalgic, wherein old memories float through my grey matter, where old smells and senses teased my almost air-plane-sterilised senses. I just smiled, sensing that sense.
Returning into the embrace of the sun and the arms of that precious one further bolstered that sense. No, not nostalgia again. These experiences had no room for former memories to enter the experience itself; I was just living in the wonderment of that moment. Nice. Family, my room...
But where IS home? Not a new question, really? Could I get the same kind of sense being with close friends and family in another obscure part of the world? Possibly. I am often quoted to saying "home is where the heart is"; since I've forgotten who I picked that clever line from, I'll just assume its mine to some extent.
But how true is that truism? While I figure that out, I'll enjoy this sense in the meantime. Cheers, with kopi peng and mee pok tah....
Uncle T
I was home, a first homecoming, at least a proper month, for this was the furtherst and longest I have been away from home, from Singapore. I was not exactly nostalgic, wherein old memories float through my grey matter, where old smells and senses teased my almost air-plane-sterilised senses. I just smiled, sensing that sense.
Returning into the embrace of the sun and the arms of that precious one further bolstered that sense. No, not nostalgia again. These experiences had no room for former memories to enter the experience itself; I was just living in the wonderment of that moment. Nice. Family, my room...
But where IS home? Not a new question, really? Could I get the same kind of sense being with close friends and family in another obscure part of the world? Possibly. I am often quoted to saying "home is where the heart is"; since I've forgotten who I picked that clever line from, I'll just assume its mine to some extent.
But how true is that truism? While I figure that out, I'll enjoy this sense in the meantime. Cheers, with kopi peng and mee pok tah....
Uncle T
27 Nov 2006
Memories... 9:16 pm
Atop Scarfell Pike, 980m above sea, with the family, Singapore flag, and hale on our faces. NS, take that!
Fall from grace; From mountain to comfy sofa by the fireplace back at base
Uncle T
The Little but Big Bounce 9:16 pm
Where is that bounce?
The one which encroaches
The privacy of the other,
Inflicts insecurity of the chasing
Competitor, the one that
Drives the pack forth,
The one that invigorates
And inspires both
Self and team?
The onward bounce,
The inspired passion.
Come back, come home
Today.
Uncle T
The one which encroaches
The privacy of the other,
Inflicts insecurity of the chasing
Competitor, the one that
Drives the pack forth,
The one that invigorates
And inspires both
Self and team?
The onward bounce,
The inspired passion.
Come back, come home
Today.
Uncle T
From the peaks of Hindsight 9:27 am
Orders ovened turkey leg with rosemary, froe grais & French toast...
Thinking back, it seemed far more dangerous than it was when we were actually on that near-vertical cliff, clinging onto grass and shrubs for dear life. But hindsight reveals more than that danger; it was the camaraderie, the adventure, the courage to take the next step that we possibly haven't taken before.
Ten of us headed out to Lake District over the weekend, the birthplace of Peter Rabbit, beautiful English hills and Ben&Jerry's inspiring cow,grass & blue skies scenery. It is also home to Scarfell Pike, highest peak ,at 980m (above sea level), in England. We made it to the summit, and made it back alive.
It is indeed so hard to fully describe the exhilirating experience, especially having related it to numerous others and replying 'how was it' questions; the greater the repetition, the greater the amount of magic lost. And in such cases, possibly the few means the magic will be relived is either going again or sharing it with people who were with you.
Just an attempt to make cursory mention of note-worthy points: we actually had to rock climb, winds at the top were close to 20knots, we experienced hale (and had hale fights), dangerously scaled the cliffs along the valley that the river runs through, cramps, trekking fields of rock rubble, singing the National Pledge with the National flag at the summit, trekking in the dark and rain to get back to base, excellent Richard-dinner, excellent memorable company, Land-Before-Time inspiring scenes of inter-locking spurs and peaceful lakes...
The memories will continue to live on; I am just blessed to have had the opportunity to enter this experience, and to know how humbling nature is, both in beauty and might. I shall be eternally grateful for the company as well (at the point I left my room before setting off, I didn't fully know who was actually going for the trip). I guess in such cases, the best in people is brought to the foreground. I was privileged to see that bests.
Amen. For the peaks of hindsight.
No amounts of photgraphs can
Vividly capture the wonders
Of those memorial magic.
Uncle T
Thinking back, it seemed far more dangerous than it was when we were actually on that near-vertical cliff, clinging onto grass and shrubs for dear life. But hindsight reveals more than that danger; it was the camaraderie, the adventure, the courage to take the next step that we possibly haven't taken before.
Ten of us headed out to Lake District over the weekend, the birthplace of Peter Rabbit, beautiful English hills and Ben&Jerry's inspiring cow,grass & blue skies scenery. It is also home to Scarfell Pike, highest peak ,at 980m (above sea level), in England. We made it to the summit, and made it back alive.
It is indeed so hard to fully describe the exhilirating experience, especially having related it to numerous others and replying 'how was it' questions; the greater the repetition, the greater the amount of magic lost. And in such cases, possibly the few means the magic will be relived is either going again or sharing it with people who were with you.
Just an attempt to make cursory mention of note-worthy points: we actually had to rock climb, winds at the top were close to 20knots, we experienced hale (and had hale fights), dangerously scaled the cliffs along the valley that the river runs through, cramps, trekking fields of rock rubble, singing the National Pledge with the National flag at the summit, trekking in the dark and rain to get back to base, excellent Richard-dinner, excellent memorable company, Land-Before-Time inspiring scenes of inter-locking spurs and peaceful lakes...
The memories will continue to live on; I am just blessed to have had the opportunity to enter this experience, and to know how humbling nature is, both in beauty and might. I shall be eternally grateful for the company as well (at the point I left my room before setting off, I didn't fully know who was actually going for the trip). I guess in such cases, the best in people is brought to the foreground. I was privileged to see that bests.
Amen. For the peaks of hindsight.
No amounts of photgraphs can
Vividly capture the wonders
Of those memorial magic.
Uncle T
9 Nov 2006
Niceties of Reading Wk 6:35 am
Orders ovened chicken with mushrooms stir-fried in cheese...
As compared to the forceful stress of last week, this week is comparably nice. No doubt not a bed of roses a reading week initially entailed at the start of term, but what more can I ask?
Have been playing badminton (under the guise of training for Notts games this coming weekend), netball (the boys being trashed by Notts netball girls), having been to the gym as well as taking a nice jog on Sunday. Decent amount of outdoor activities for the weather now, as frost slowly overstays its nightly adventure into the early hours of daylight.
Last evening was a pleasant one; had lovely jazz to accompany me as I ploughed through the theories of international relations. There is just insurmountable literature on the various theories. But what I found interesting is the addressing of epistemology within the confines of world politics theories, something I, too, address in Descartes in philosophy. I guess this is but one of the comforting thoughts about reading PPE. To finish off the lovely evening, I got a call from Jeff, a director from Theatreworks. I will be lunching with him this Friday! Highly interesting, this little chat I reckon.
After catching "History Boys" last week, I am now in possession of the printed play. Should catch this Alan Bennett play. The French reparte in there is another good motivation to tighten up my French, which is currently abysmal. Another ever so random thought: I cooked a decent dinner tonight!
Well, work beckons; there never seems to have an end is there? Worst when there is a convergence of assignment deadlines at the end of term and the next 3 consecutive weekends will be spent away from Warwick. (Ian watch out!). And I have Birmingham debates to come tomorrow evening, which are public. I'm gonna so freeze and die, looking like a retard dumbfounded at my speech.
Well, come what may. Bring it on!
Uncle T
As compared to the forceful stress of last week, this week is comparably nice. No doubt not a bed of roses a reading week initially entailed at the start of term, but what more can I ask?
Have been playing badminton (under the guise of training for Notts games this coming weekend), netball (the boys being trashed by Notts netball girls), having been to the gym as well as taking a nice jog on Sunday. Decent amount of outdoor activities for the weather now, as frost slowly overstays its nightly adventure into the early hours of daylight.
While taking a jog...
Last evening was a pleasant one; had lovely jazz to accompany me as I ploughed through the theories of international relations. There is just insurmountable literature on the various theories. But what I found interesting is the addressing of epistemology within the confines of world politics theories, something I, too, address in Descartes in philosophy. I guess this is but one of the comforting thoughts about reading PPE. To finish off the lovely evening, I got a call from Jeff, a director from Theatreworks. I will be lunching with him this Friday! Highly interesting, this little chat I reckon.
After catching "History Boys" last week, I am now in possession of the printed play. Should catch this Alan Bennett play. The French reparte in there is another good motivation to tighten up my French, which is currently abysmal. Another ever so random thought: I cooked a decent dinner tonight!
Dinner! Ovened chicken with mushrooms
Well, work beckons; there never seems to have an end is there? Worst when there is a convergence of assignment deadlines at the end of term and the next 3 consecutive weekends will be spent away from Warwick. (Ian watch out!). And I have Birmingham debates to come tomorrow evening, which are public. I'm gonna so freeze and die, looking like a retard dumbfounded at my speech.
Well, come what may. Bring it on!
Uncle T
26 Oct 2006
Chicago, the way forward 6:18 pm
Orders sheperd's pie, stir-fried beef with milk and mushrooms, chicken curry...
A philosophy essay and a politics project is the cause of the lag from my recount of "Chicago" the musical last weekend.
Yes, I was part of the chorus in Warwick's rendition of "Chicago". It was an experience to savour, especially in a learning and inspiring sense. It's something I never got a change to experience back home, possibly due to a run of bad luck, but I've never seen talent so casually congregated before than in "Chicago".
Almost everyone could dance AND sing, not in a do-it-in-the-shower way, but actually of a certain quality. Guys who did ballet for 10 years, and ones with exceptional acting ability; one cannot help but feel inspired at the same time awed. At least I did. The more startling thing is that this was an unauditioned chorus!
Anyhow, it has inspired me to push my boundaries (that have been majorly defined by my Singapore-education experience) both musically or academincally. And the reward I got at the end of the performance was a flower from both Ailin and Shuki...
A cauliflower
Uncle T
A philosophy essay and a politics project is the cause of the lag from my recount of "Chicago" the musical last weekend.
Yes, I was part of the chorus in Warwick's rendition of "Chicago". It was an experience to savour, especially in a learning and inspiring sense. It's something I never got a change to experience back home, possibly due to a run of bad luck, but I've never seen talent so casually congregated before than in "Chicago".
Almost everyone could dance AND sing, not in a do-it-in-the-shower way, but actually of a certain quality. Guys who did ballet for 10 years, and ones with exceptional acting ability; one cannot help but feel inspired at the same time awed. At least I did. The more startling thing is that this was an unauditioned chorus!
Anyhow, it has inspired me to push my boundaries (that have been majorly defined by my Singapore-education experience) both musically or academincally. And the reward I got at the end of the performance was a flower from both Ailin and Shuki...
A cauliflower
Uncle T
20 Oct 2006
Randomness of it all.... 7:03 pm
orders some chicken sandwich fillers with wholemeal bread...oooiii! kani** where is my bak cho mee? Na** :)...
Randomness of it all....
I just watched my first episode of West Wing (recommended by a debate senior); just had my first ice-cream yesterday since starting school; listening to a new acoustic indie group Urusen; missed my girlfriend hell lot when I looked at the frisbee she bought me; 2 essays of 1500each and a maths test in the week after; trying to kick-start an engine that took a hiatus in the military.
The randomness of it all.
Physically, I've settled in. I get to bed by simply lyind down, I awake and know I'm 13 hours away from home. I feel rather at home in my Tocil 49D flat, and enjoy the kick-ass mix of company in my flat. No, this land doesn't seem to foreign. Wait. Possibly it does.
The autumn leaves look so beautiful; much more than seeing it in Getty images and Hallmark movies. Watching these maple souls fall to the ground ironically refreshes me instead of drag me down. And wish that I had Yong with me.
Yet, the randomness of it all.
Whilst in politics seminar, a self-proclaimed imperialist (as if I know what that means) Caucasian, who has been staying in Brunei for a number of years as an expatriate, commented on the political landscape in Brunei: "there is no politics". Wow. Sounds impressive, especially when you watch it with his presumptuous spit flying everywhere and his straight blondes flapping. And I stood up (surprised myself too) and said "Objection!". I would very much like to delve into the analysis of how such a ignorant comment, if reflective of "free speech", I'll rather do without.
Again, randomness.
I am looking to do "Chicago" the musical this weekend! But that would mean missing out going to Cheshire Oaks with the rest of the Singaporeans. That means 2 in a row; was out debating at UCL last weekend whilst they explored Birmingham.
Just played badminton. Going to study now. Jam. Lecture. Chicago practice. Home; where's that?
Amen.
Uncle T
Randomness of it all....
I just watched my first episode of West Wing (recommended by a debate senior); just had my first ice-cream yesterday since starting school; listening to a new acoustic indie group Urusen; missed my girlfriend hell lot when I looked at the frisbee she bought me; 2 essays of 1500each and a maths test in the week after; trying to kick-start an engine that took a hiatus in the military.
The randomness of it all.
Physically, I've settled in. I get to bed by simply lyind down, I awake and know I'm 13 hours away from home. I feel rather at home in my Tocil 49D flat, and enjoy the kick-ass mix of company in my flat. No, this land doesn't seem to foreign. Wait. Possibly it does.
The autumn leaves look so beautiful; much more than seeing it in Getty images and Hallmark movies. Watching these maple souls fall to the ground ironically refreshes me instead of drag me down. And wish that I had Yong with me.
Yet, the randomness of it all.
Whilst in politics seminar, a self-proclaimed imperialist (as if I know what that means) Caucasian, who has been staying in Brunei for a number of years as an expatriate, commented on the political landscape in Brunei: "there is no politics". Wow. Sounds impressive, especially when you watch it with his presumptuous spit flying everywhere and his straight blondes flapping. And I stood up (surprised myself too) and said "Objection!". I would very much like to delve into the analysis of how such a ignorant comment, if reflective of "free speech", I'll rather do without.
Again, randomness.
I am looking to do "Chicago" the musical this weekend! But that would mean missing out going to Cheshire Oaks with the rest of the Singaporeans. That means 2 in a row; was out debating at UCL last weekend whilst they explored Birmingham.
Just played badminton. Going to study now. Jam. Lecture. Chicago practice. Home; where's that?
Amen.
Uncle T
11 Oct 2006
No, don't allow it.
Even if the wind of
Stifling systems blow through
Don't let it.
The world's our stage
My stage, and yours.
Rush not, for there is expanse,
For you and I.
You create yours, and I,
Mine.
With patience, I'll be my
Director, and you,
Yours.
Don't let it.
Don't let them.
Don't let anything take you
Away from the blossoming expanse
That is a gift to you.
Amen.
Uncle T
Even if the wind of
Stifling systems blow through
Don't let it.
The world's our stage
My stage, and yours.
Rush not, for there is expanse,
For you and I.
You create yours, and I,
Mine.
With patience, I'll be my
Director, and you,
Yours.
Don't let it.
Don't let them.
Don't let anything take you
Away from the blossoming expanse
That is a gift to you.
Amen.
Uncle T
8 Oct 2006
Oh Well, if that's the way its meant to be 9:35 pm
After looking forward to this opportunity, it has fallen six feet under through the rabbit hole; I'm down with a wicked throat that only allows me to make unintelligible grunts. So much for Chicago's auditions. Wonder if they have a role for a toad. I would ace that perfectly.
Oh well. If that's the way the autumn blooms begin for me, so be it. There is hardly much I can do but go for the unaudtioned chorus for Chicago; and hope I'm well by next Sunday for Copacobana's next week.
On to happier notes, and forget the glitches. Queen is providing excellent motivation from my speakers: "We are the champions...No time for losers". How apt. No blurdy time for the loser with no voice.
Last evening, some Sporean year-ones headed over to Mok-Richard-Jasmin's house warming at Hearsall Common, just beyond campus grounds. We had roasted duck, seasame chicken and chicken rice!!!! My gosh! In part imported from Burmingham and in part due to Richard's culinary expertise.
Sometimes you get real nasty luck.
"Mister Cellophane,
SHould have been my name..."
"Cause you can see right through me
Walk right by me
And never know I am there"
Uncle T
Oh well. If that's the way the autumn blooms begin for me, so be it. There is hardly much I can do but go for the unaudtioned chorus for Chicago; and hope I'm well by next Sunday for Copacobana's next week.
On to happier notes, and forget the glitches. Queen is providing excellent motivation from my speakers: "We are the champions...No time for losers". How apt. No blurdy time for the loser with no voice.
Last evening, some Sporean year-ones headed over to Mok-Richard-Jasmin's house warming at Hearsall Common, just beyond campus grounds. We had roasted duck, seasame chicken and chicken rice!!!! My gosh! In part imported from Burmingham and in part due to Richard's culinary expertise.
Sometimes you get real nasty luck.
"Mister Cellophane,
SHould have been my name..."
"Cause you can see right through me
Walk right by me
And never know I am there"
Uncle T