Something varying in degrees

Writer's Block: Name your talent

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:55:07 GMT

If you could have one extraordinary talent, what would you choose and why?

To be able to speak eloquently to invoke the most powerful emotions in people and to draw the attention of millions at a time.

After all the power of the word and speech is probably one of the strongest abilities that man has developed for himself. It would then be on a completely different level to be able to speak so that everyone would listen and to create the exact feelings in the audience that you want to just by the means of words alone. It's not an impossibility, but to be able to touch everyone through the power of speech would be something rather extraordinary and special in its own way.

Plus I'd just enjoy the fact I would be able to talk my way out of any situation as well. Haha

Been away, and now to just give a brief update

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:35:49 GMT

Hello Livejournal and everyone in it.

Just like to let anyone who's still interested know that I'm still alive, somewhat. Been a messy bit of life in the last few months and still is actually. Been trying to find that little thing called "Meaning" in my life and it's been sorely missing still.

Of course people say that sometimes things appear when you aren't searching for it, and that meaning can only be found within yourself. But well, now I'm lost and I'm trying to find my way through a lot of things. Unfortunately, religion, although a valid point, isn't my cup of tea which I hopefully wouldn't have to go into if I can avoid it. Although right now, even an accident leading to a week long trip to the hospital would be interesting.

I'm just tired I think, of almost everything that there is around me. It looks like I need another escape into another place, another world, another life.

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:46:55 GMT

Flying back to Sydney tomorrow to attend my graduation. Pretty exciting in its own way, although these days it's almost something commonplace for most people. But well, it'll be a nice break away from the utter boringness that Singapore can be at times and having to deal with the fact that it's terribly hard to make new social contacts with people here because everyone's quite detached and just prefer sticking to pre-established cliques.

But in that sense, it's that question of "Is it the environment or the people or is it just my own opinions that prevent the social contact?" Well, won't really know I suppose, but then I wouldn't be too perturbed about it. After all, it's Singapore, it's not like I'm totally inclined to eke out the rest of my life here in the dullness of it.

Apart from that, it's the second last day of work at the company I'm currently with and I'm happily relieved. It's been a pain in the ass and I'm really more interested in either a) doing something a hell lot more exciting and communicative or b) something that's so mundanely routine that's no surprises or anything that puts unneeded stress on me. A would be good since I'd have an exciting job that creates opportunities. B would be good because that would leave me time to explore my own endeavours beyond the designated workings hours (or possibly during those hours).

Oh well, based on the current economic situation. I'd just prefer something that's just proper and there's an adequate level of respect when it comes to communication with peers and superiors. Or else, I'd be happy just to be unemployed for a while.

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:14:28 GMT

It's mid-week Wednesday, what a some-what relief.

That just means it's 12 working days more before I can officially say good bye to this place. The colleagues are fine, the boss isn't. And what's more, I'll only get paid (for March) on the 20th. Well, at least the flipside is the fact that I'm getting $500 for winning in a lucky draw I didn't even realise I took part in.

All I did was order some pizza for dinner and I win $500. Who knows what else could happen?

Back at work after a long weekend

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:33:20 GMT

Not the best way to start the day off at work, but heck, it's not like anything productive really goes on while we're here.

Just doing a little additional stuff that I need to do to make sure the world still spins in a rather decent fashion so that it doesn't seem like I'm really not doing anything much at all. But hey, at least I still do get a decent amount of news coverage for the work that I have to be doing. Just probably not to what the boss expects in any sense or form.

I'm just happy that it's only 14 more working days to the end of coming to work in this dump of place.

The cutest thing ever.

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:04:54 GMT

Even though I'm not one of the most enthusiastic persons about Singapore's yearly obsession with the Speak Mandarin campaign, I have to admit that this year's campaign is insanely cute. Not that it's about to entice me to partake Mandarin speaking or surfing the internet in Mandarin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrFXqbRARTA You have to watch it to see how cute it is.

Always amazing when racial/language stereotypes are broken. Or just perhaps I find it cool to listen to someone that wouldn't usually speak in a certain language speak it.

Listening to the Morning Jam

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:27:25 GMT

Ran into work late today, went for a quick trip to the doctor to figure exactly why I'm having mild throbbing headaches, blurry eyes and a dripping nose. Seems like it's just a mild case of possible sore eyes (at least it's the pre-stage and I should avoid making it worse)

Sitting at work trying to figure out how to write an appropriate media advisory. Ironically following what the boss has previously used is a bad idea since 'standard' formats we use in this office mutate faster than the flu virus. But well, trying to develop the 'creative' angle by typing out this on LiveJournal and listening to Joe and Shareen on the Morning Jam.

Pretty interesting to see that Joe Augustin decided to take it to the 'mainstream' local radio stations by setting up a daily podcast show that sounds exactly like what we would be hearing on the radio, if anyone in the office decided to turn it on. It's fun, witty, politically uncorrected and reminds me of the good old school days I would listen to Joe and the Flying Dutchman while heading to school. If anyone's interested in listening to what morning radio shows in Singapore sound like, head over to http://morningjam.com/

Crawling back out of the woodwork

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:54:04 GMT

Just a quick message.

Boredom and frustration and lack of any form of proper stimulus at work has compelled me to return to LJ.

Hopefully it'll be a little more permanent for a bit. And no more depressive sounding rants either. Perhaps if it works out, some constructive thoughts and comments on the going-ons in the world as I experience them.

Hopefully.

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 01:54:16 GMT

Random gno comment of the day.

"Salsa makes me happy."

We now return you to your regularly scheduled web-surfing.

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:09:24 GMT

It finally happened..

I forgot my keys and locked my room door behind me.. -kicks himself-

So now I'm hanging out at the library till tonight (goodness knows when) till my landlady comes by with her set of keys to unlock the door for me.

Hooray Aron. Hooray.

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:48:25 GMT

It's amazing how sometimes, out of the blue, you can make a connection with someone and become almost like long-lost friends.

Today was probably the nicest but sadder among my days in Sydney. A couple, Cody and Sayaka, whom I got to know from salsa class, will be heading back to Japan on Monday to start their life together there.

Went out today to meet with Sayaka and a few other friends to have lunch at a Chinese restaurant. Had a really good time eating and chatting, talking about random stuff from anime to languages and dialects to my experiences in the army and with a grenade. It was more than extremely fun and enjoyable.

After that, we walked to Hyde Park intending to get coffee and chat, but the cafe there was closed so we walked further down Oxford Street where we found a nice quaint little cafe to settle down at where we just shared really nice stories and recollecting events that have happened. Had a little mishap with coffee here and there and shared a chocolate cake between me, Sayaka and another friend Kaoru too.

Following that, we strolled back to the city proper and waited for Cody to arrive along with the other guests they had invited for a nice dinner. I wasn't part of the entourage for dinner originally but they had space so Sayaka invited me and another salsa friend, Clive, to come along since we were still hanging about.

Dinner was at a Spanish restaurant and the food was pretty well done, although I don't think my rack of lamb was really authentically Spanish enough. More conversations and funny banter continued through the dinner and we finished it off with a little bit of salsa dancing to the live band they had in the restaurant. After dinner, there was just a lot of talking and hugging going on as everyone started saying their goodbyes to Cody and Sayaka.

I think the main thing about it for me was that, I've only know both of them for almost six months and yet there's just a really deep feeling of friendship that I feel, especially with Sayaka. Probably akin to almost a sibling closeness with her actually. It felt nice talking to her and communicating with her, talking about random things and some minor stuff about life and people. It was all at ease and just like she's been my friend forever. Cody has been a great guy all round plus being an avid salsa coach although I haven't been that great abou learning steps off him.

I'm already missing them, especially Sayaka, for all the help and confidence and company they've given. Guess I really better start making plans to go visit them in Nagoya whenever I can.

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:26:29 GMT

It's the last two days of the university semester and it's completely crunch time now.

But it doesn't help that I've got loads of things on my mind and I have room issues to settle. Hopefully things will clear up a little more by the weekend since I'll not have to drivel all over my assignments.

Things could be good, or they could be bad, I suppose it's just a matter of interpretation here.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:28:00 GMT

I want to stab something really badly.

Or probably myself.

Urgh, and they say men don't have mood swings or moments of emotional insecurity.

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:31:57 GMT

Having food poisoning sucks. And I can't imagine why and how I got it.

This is bad, painful and annoying.

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:29:55 GMT

Random LOL at the drama going on in my Gaia Online Livejournal community.

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:12:14 GMT

Making a random post from just waking up.

Interestingly my body clock is nicely skewed to the point that I pretty much act like a vampire. It's interestingly fun actually. Plus the upside that it's quieter to work at night and do things without interruption or disruption.

Not sure when the last update was. But well, interesting facts.

My new house is turning into a pig sty because housemates don't pull their weight in chores.
Two of them have become a couple and I now realise how annoying it is to live with lazy couples (heterosexual couple)
Sometimes rules about late night or overnight visitors should be enforced just for general need for privacy and respect. Sorta sucks to get up to pee in the middle of the night and see a stranger in the kitchen using your utensils like he/she has lived here for the past year.
And other random rantings I suppose.

School's pretty good, just a couple of weeks more and I'll be done with my second semester and then heading back to good old Singapore for a while. Mostly to chill out and see mom, friends, FOOD.

Yes, I miss Singapore food.

Apart from that, the general lack of updates was due to schoolwork and the reabsorption of my brain into Guild Wars. But well, the cycle is currently broken due to irritating aspects that happened in the game, so I'm once again sick of playing it for a while.

And many other things to go.

-wave out to anyone who still reads this-

Wow, it's been a while.

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:11:39 GMT

It's been a busy time since I last posted and a lot of things happened.

Back to uni and getting back into the stream of things.

Got forced to move and found a better place somewhat that's way closer to the university.

German's alright, just finished another term, not too sure if I'm going with another term right away or not though. (Okay I just sent the application though. xD)

Other things are going well too, like Salsa. Just had my first advanced class and I picked it up pretty well too. xD

Thinking while being back.

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 05:06:11 GMT

Salsa's been good. Met a really nice Japanese girl from the class and I'm wondering. Of course it's still wondering since it's fairly obvious that she's like the belle of the ball in the class and stuff.

5 weeks of salsa and I'm improving but I can't wait to get better sooner so at least I'll be semi decent on the dance floor.

Had to move to a new place since the landlord said he needed room and I'm still dealing without an internet connection at home until my new landlady gets it set up sometime next week.

It's been hectic and I still haven't found a job over here. It's annoying.

Ah, a messed up mind is annoying.

Interesting stuff

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:58:20 GMT

Went to the Sydney Opera House yesterday to get a ticket for the PLAY! concert next Friday. For those who have no idea, PLAY! is basically a symphonic rendition of popular video game music. Pretty awesome I tell you, so look out for a review post next week on that.

Today, went for a beginner's salsa course since there was an advert for it on my uni's notice board that gave a pretty heft discount for students. Bad point though, I seemed to have been the only new beginner there. Which made it terribly odd, though the instructor was pretty nice and I was glad I had some basic tips on Salsa even before I went. Breezed through some parts of it.. but gosh, when some of the girls for the next class came early, the instructor got them to partner with me and.... I wouldn't say it was embarrassing, but it was clearly obvious to myself that I've been out of touch with the female gender on a close proximity. At least I got to dance and I didn't turn out too bad with the basic Salsa steps, just probably too self conscious for the first lesson.

On another note, I've been sniffing my hands for the past half hour.. I need help.

It's over for now.

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 17:22:31 GMT

University is out for the semester.

It's been an interesting 14 weeks of classes and lectures for sure. Spent the last week on an almost 24 hour clock finishing up two assignments that I hope get a decent grade. Got back one of my earlier assignments and I finally got a Distinction (D- though) for it.

Job searching starts tomorrow.

I miss her, but I know I messed up big time again the last time we quarreled and even though she's not one to keep thinking about it, I do. And I also know that we're going to drift away more. It's something that I guess can't be helped when someone doesn't have the same feelings for you anymore. And now all I can do is just keep myself on the only track that I have and hope that maybe she'll come around and say to me and we can get something worthwhile back again.

Sun, 27 May 2007 08:50:41 GMT

I need to find some positivity in my life.

Just some.. doesn't need to be too much..

Thu, 24 May 2007 12:47:30 GMT

I guess it gets more and more apparent as the days go by that I'm having culture shock and depression issues.

It's getting worse and I guess I should seek some sort of help soon.

I just hate being alone.. and not knowing how she feels. Although primarily now it seems that she's pissed off with my negative attitude and that just ruins any form of relationship that I could possibly have had a chance of.

I don't know.. She's the only positive spark in my life that I need, but it seems that it's not going to work out. I suppose most people probably don't see it that way and think that I should just buck up and move on and do something else. But that's how I feel and that's how I am.

Can it really be so hard for people to accept that and see how I am? This really sucks..

But it's worse that she isn't there that often anymore and it's a good tihng for her but it gets harder and harder for me each and every moment. I just wish I was in Germany instead and there trying to win her back.. because it kills me.

Feeling confused

Sat, 19 May 2007 05:39:46 GMT

That's pretty much the mindset at the moment.

Everything and nothing flooding through my brain at the same time..

Frustration and self-analysis often happen together

Thu, 17 May 2007 00:35:46 GMT

Being locked off the internet at home does give quite a bit of time to doing some self-analysis of my current predicament and offer some interesting personal insights to myself.

Seriously I'm beginning to wonder what my direction and aim in life are again and whether everything is worth the effort of making it work, or hoping for it to work. There's been issues or rather I've been questioning too many of the ideas, partially because of the classes that I've been taking that tend to increase the amount of questions as to the validity of human society and the reasons that we are do things, whether compelled or instinctive.

I'm tired, and it's not from lack of sleep either.

I'm feeling somewhat stressed

Tue, 15 May 2007 02:10:28 GMT

I'm feeling under the weather and stressed. I think.

Still can't sleep well at nights and there's constantly a sense of sheer frustration again. I guess it's internet withdrawal and worrying about how things are going on when I'm not around. Especially with her. Since it's coming to two weeks that I've not spoken to her and there's been barely any return contact from her apart from a single sms last week.

I guess I'm overly worrying again, but then it's natural for me I suppose. It's probably a good thing that I've been locked off from the internet in a way, but it's also terrifying. I'm already clinically aware that my peace of mind is directly related to knowing that she's there and that I'm around here, although that doesn't ring true for her. And well, it's impossible to relax, or feel in the right mind to get anything done when I'm not at peace of mind.

I suck, seriously. And I want my internet back..