Down but not out? Ok I couldn't think of an appropriate title

Well. Everyone's on a hiatus, and apparently it means a break from something good to do something bad. (Thanks You Duen!) I'm going to be on standby cause who knows one fine day (Perhaps after SOVA) I decide to vent anger or something.

Wow tell me if I'm lagging but I just subscribed to this guy, not just cause he is a pretty good guitarist but because 1. ASIAN PRIDE 2. He plays a lot of songs I like 3. He's two years younger than me

Not bad at all!

Was shown this by me bro. I'd rather not post this on facebook, cause it can attract a lot of flak and presumptions (including myself of others oops). Though I was a bit put off by the airy first part, it turned out not bad. Perhaps ironic is that she can pronounce english better than aerosmith. Then again the singer is apparently American born so I'm talking nonsense. OK JUST LISTEN LA.

Philosophical Phase Part 1

ALLITERATION!

*Jaren mode activate*

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you will be happy. If you get a bad one, you will become a philosopher.  -Socrates


*Jaren mode deactivate*

This morning during recess, Mr. I'm too cool for school tried to intimidate my beloved friend Jia Lok who stopped him from doing unspeakable evil! (Cutting queue at the noodle store)

And so began my mini philosophical phase.
I think there are many wrong doings one can do, and sometimes, it really boils down to a few faults that cause it.

The fallacies of immaturity

Ignorance of the multiplier effect

Description: The inherent belief that one's misdeeds will cause little effect because one is insignificant. It can also refer to wastage of time because 'it's only a little while'.
For example, if I cut queue, everyone just has to wait a little longer.

Consequences: Every tad longer accumulates. At times, the herding instinct that follows one person cutting can cost 10 minutes in lost recess times, effectively close to a third of our break.

Actions as a result: Choosing to ignore environmental acts, cutting queue, playing games for hours, oversleeping, procrastination, lack of participation in group activities, etc.

Solution?: Thinking before doing, planning, just do it (applies to environmental acts for example)

Oversimplification

Description: Thinking straightforwardly in situations, acting on own impulse and thinking, or looking things only at surface level. Unconsciously drawing on own experience and applying it to every person and situation.
For example, 'nobody cares if I cut queue' (just because he himself thinks that way)

Consequences: Misunderstanding, misconceptions, misperceptions.

Actions as a result: This post is already an example! Arguments, telling racist/hurtful/sick jokes, aloofness, overgeneralization, assumptions, acting as if you understand people completely (Dang I'm doing it right now, it can't be helped if you want to get a point across I guess), etc.

Solution?: Keep an open mind and heart, get to know people before you judge them, don't assume anything, listen to people (not just their tone, voice, etc, even their body language, how they act, etc.), don't instigate on jokes (how would YOU know if someone is really hurting inside but keeps a false front and smiles when you insult him?)

I think I'll continue this on another day.

Rule of thirds fail. Photoshop win.

AEP has not ended

While everyone's blogs (meaning about only 7 people lol) was posting "AEP is finally over". I did not.

Apparently my teacher forgot to print my book out, but that's fine I guess, just as long as I don't get penalized for it.

Then, even now when we have 'sealed' our final products and boards, I do not rejoice.

Be realistic people! Do not over celebrate! It ain't over till its over. Till the cows come home. Till the fat lady sings. Till kingdom comes. TILL SOVA FINISHES.

Or did you think you can just smoke through it? I don't think so, so don't do that.

So I bet your wondering why I don't post much photographs nowadays? You don't? FINE. I'll tell you anyway. 1. My old stock has finished. 2. AEP forbids many of my good photos because I have included them in my coursework. 3. I don't have time to take photos anymore.

These photos were in fact taken when I was using my ancient KODAK camera. It was a time when my skills were still pretty awful. The images have not been edited.

I just realized I posted this in conjunction with the release of the Present Perfect India Issue lol.

Everything's changing

And I don't feel the same.

In one week, my brother leaves Singapore to study in the UK.
In two weeks, I graduate from four years in a wonderful school.
In four weeks, I head for the major examinations.
In three months I enter JC.

Oh I just finished watching the final episode of Scrubs.
Should I stay in the moment or look to the future?
I feel really emotional now...

Just yesterday I went to Zaki's house for Hari Raya and my mother commented, "So this is the last party before the 'O's eh?" Last. I remember our clique in secondary one, Zaki, Jason, Jian Wen and me in a little corner in the class. I cannot fathom what it would have been like without them. I don't know how to put into words my gratitude for their friendship when I was going through something. It feels like this is it. Out parting, though Jian Wen and Jason moved on, Zaki and I still bonded in AEP. Like-minded individuals to some extent. Now I leave Mother Victoria... bye Zaki. Your mother's cooking is the best.

Then the day before yesterday I accompanied my younger brother back to my Alma Mater Ngee Ann for the Lantern Festival. It was fortunate of me to see my old form teacher and chinese teacher, up till now they still teach me, give me advice. I humble myself before such great people, and I wish I knew how to express my gratitude. My form teacher asked, "So are you coming back next year?" It took me by surprise, and it still gets me thinking now. Am I?

I don't know what I'm feeling now. Is it nostalgia? Insecurity? I'm awash with feelings and I almost don't feel like studying SS. My house has a special way of being silent at times like this. I hear my waterfall flow, the fan in my room swirl. The birds singing their dawn chorus. Do I wish I could go back in time? That feeling was really why I got attached to Age of Mythology. I can imagine and feel the ancient times in their soundtrack, their characters. Perhaps in a time when life was simpler.

I'm tearing up, I should go study now...

Radicals on both sides

Like I often stress, there's always two sides to something and that balance if often my preferred route.

I'm not saying its black and white, but both sides have extremes and such.

Two articles interested me today, one on September 11 commemorations plagued by protests and one on MM Lee's interview.

There were both protesters supporting the ground zero mosque and protesters against it.

Things always start with a noble cause, don't they?
Those supporting the mosque speak of religious freedom and tolerance, a symbol of progression towards peace.
Those against the mosque spoke of insensitivity, that such a project should at least be mindful and respectful, and that the center should at least be relocated.
Unfortunately, extremists always ruin the initial noble cause.

Those against the project, who tell us its insensitive to build a mosque two blocks from 'ground zero' are now burning Korans. Irony?

Hah! I bet you thought I'd stop there? No? Really? Dang.

Those supporting the project, who say 'peace', 'freedom', even 'tolerance'. Nice words aren't they? Now they start finger pointing and calling the other side racists. Accusing them of bigotry, making false assumptions. I mean, if I say I don't really want to go out for movies today your going to call me anti-social? Blaming always lead to more blaming.

On to MM Lee's interview.
In a way, its really the same thing I'm getting at. He claims 'the greater good'. Well, I guess, everyone claims 'the greater good' don't they? Things always seem noble ideas at first. If MM Lee was willing to jail without trial because he thought it was for the better (and he was right), I'm willing to bet the communist thought spreading discord and killing people was for the better too.

I'm not attacking anyone really, I'm merely pointing out some of the fallacies and flaws of humans.
Humans are complex and imperfect, you can't expect everyone to always make the right decisions, so lets focus on the good aspects of someone who outweigh his faults.

Its from Harry Potter isn't it? Dumbledore planning mass genocide for 'the greater good'.

More from Jon Stewart, for Zaki?
The community center of death!!!

Ending Escapism

Yay for alliteration.

Tomorrow. All I can think of as moments slowly past.

Solemn. Solitude. Melancholy. (Oh no alliteration fail Xd)

Every holiday I feel the same way. Lost.

I am not afraid, nor do I want to stay in this moment forever. Its just so sentimental.

The past few days of just floating by, not a care in the world. The solitude I'm feeling now could kill.

I feel like every moment carefully passes, every moment weighs on me like sobering up after a night of drunken revelry.

I can hear the crickets. Its not going to rain. Apparently if you count the number of ticks ONE cricket makes in 8 seconds and and 20 or something you get the accurate temperature in celsius.

But I'm not one to try and cling on to things I know are gone. I'm not one to regret anything anymore, to look back.

I want to read Eragon and would you eat your cat.

Trying out schedule thing Zaki thought me though its pretty unnecessary.
*Edit* It didn't work? Dang

It doesn't exactly suit the post but I thought it was such a waste since apparently no one listened to this song, maybe because of preconceived impressions of runescape, blinded by pride that makes them close-minded. It could be a 'new age to o levels' kinda thing? OK I'm random-ing.