Typo: Apparently my flight leaves at 925 on Sunday, instead of 11pm like I originally said. *Phew* lucky I confirmed with jcsz beforehand...

Kairos: Info on Dragonfly? Er, start reading archives from ard start of May? Hahaha...

A change from the European rantings I've been doing of late...

Plagiarized from Krystal's blog

I tried the Name Acronym but somehow it really screwed up my blog. So basically my name reads:

K=Kinky
H=Honorable
E=Enjoyable
L=Loving
A=Arty
T=Temperamental
H=Honorable

Name / Username:

Name Acronym Generator

From Go-Quiz.com

Interesting that the first one is kinky... Oh behave... And a double helping of Honorables! Does that mean I'm destined to be a judge? :p

And a pretty touching story...

A girl asked a guy if he thought she was pretty, he said..no. She asked him if he would want to be with her forever..and he said no. She then asked him if she were to leave would he cry? and once again he replied with a no. She had heard enough.

As she walked away, tears streaming down her face. The boy grabbed her arm and said... You're not pretty, you're beautiful, I don't want to be with you forever, I NEED to be with you forever, and I wouldnt cry if you walked away...I'd die...

Altogether now... Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.............

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

If you haven't seen this show already... WTF???

Joel Barish [Jim Carrey] one day finds out that his girlfriend Clementine [Kate Winslet] has undergone surgery in order to erase all memory of him from her mind. On a mad impulse, he goes to the clinic that she did it and orders the procedure for himself.

However, as the erasure is being done, Joel's mind becomes conscious. As he goes through all his memories of her, and all the good times they had, he suddenly realises that he doesn't want to lose his memories of her. His mental avatar goes on a wild chase in order to save his memories of Clem from being erased.

One reason to watch this show: Charlie Kaufman, the talented writer. His words are smooth, without being stereotypical, or kitschy, and hence, very realistic. And yet, he manages to make them sound very poetic, very lyrical, as if you were reading a good poem in a book. Definitely not your usual Hollywood dialogue. The love scenes are touching, without being vomit-inducing.

Also the plot is refreshing and really makes one think. Would you undergo such a procedure in order to forget a bad break-up? [In a scene where Carrey first enters the clinic, there is a woman sitting there with various doggy apparatus on her lap. Hm.] Kaufman suggests the view that, stung with the recent pain, you may think you want to, although you really don't want to.

At first, when the erasers took away the memories of recent arguments he had with Clem, Joel was happy to let those memories go. Then as they went further back, to when the relationship was good, to rare moments of intimacy between the two, he becomes desperate to hold on to them.

So even though things may seem bad sometimes, if one were to calm down, think a bit deeper, then maybe there are things worth saving after all. After Joel remembered all the good times, he realises all the things he loved about Clem rather than the things he hated, and then he realised that he still loved her after all.

I dunno. I'm of the opinion that no matter how bad some memories are, they still serve in one way or another to make you the person that you are. Our present beings are the result of the sum of our experiences, and if you take away any of those past experiences, we would have lost some part of ourselves together with it. It is through our memories that we learn, that we know.

[Hm. Maybe I should have explained it this way when one of my students asked me why history was so important as a subject.]

Also, the film raises the point that even though you had the memory erased, you may still be doomed to commit the same errors. Firstly, because you lost the memory of the previous failure, and secondly, because of your inherent character.

The character that illustrates this most clearly is Mary Evos, [Kirsten Dunst] the receptionist at the clinic. Hm, shan't reveal the ending. Go watch the show and find out what she did, and what happens to her. Hee.

All in all, a very touching love story, and very refreshing from the candy-pop-bubblegum stuff that usually comes out.

Starman - Underrated Comic

Hm. Just tried to find info on the Net on this comic and came up zilch. That just shows you...

In the tradition of Batman, Superman and other costumed heroes, Starman is Jack Knight, who wields the Cosmic Rod that channels cosmic energy to fight the bad guys of Opal City, and other supervillians that come his way.

NOT in the tradition of other costumed heroes, Starman is dressed in old WW2 goggles, a black leather jacket, old hawaiian shirts and pants.

The theme that runs through the Starman story arcs is that of PAST. Jack Knight is the reluctant hero, who takes up the Starman name from his father, the original 1950s Starman, when his brother dies. At first, he is unwilling to take up this mantle, because he dismisses his father as a costumed idiot running around trying to save the world. Then when a crimewave hits Opal City, the place he grew up in and loves so much, he is compelled to take up the rod in order to save it.

All through the arcs, however, we can see that Jack is in fact, more like a hero that he thinks he is. A lot of times, he will rush into the midst of danger, only to think: "Wait a minute. Why am I doing this? This is what a hero does!" And then starts beating up the bad guys.

The writer does a very good job in characterization and plot development. Rather than a series of disconnected mini-stories, the Starman arc more closely resembles a long-running drama series, with good actors and storyline. The other comic that most resembles this aspect would be the much acclaimed Sandman storyline. This is a welcome change from most other action comics, because then you can really see how the characters in the story develop as the plot progresses.

Also, as I said earlier, the PAST plays a significant role in this storyline. All throughout the stories, we are reminded of how Jack's father, Ted Knight, was the original Starman, and some of Jack's actions are influenced by what the original Starman would have done. [Sorta like when you take over the family business, only this family business is crime fighting] There are also appearances by heroes from the 1950s, who pop up now and again to tell Jack what happened in the past, in order to help him in the future.

This is a good story to check out, and no wonder it's an Eisner-winning comic. I recommend starting with Sins of the Father to get an idea of what I'm talking about. The books can be borrowed from National Library. [Hey, you didn't think I had that much money to buy new comics now, didcha?]

A major European Headache

Too many people are finding out the truth behind the handsome blonde in the last post. Damn. Apparently my writing was too obvious.

Oh well, if you still donno the truth or just dunno what I'm talking about, go to the last post, and Choose Every Word.

Darn. Trying to do research on places to visit in Europe, and finding out exactly why is it I hate doing research. *pulls hair out*

Read book. Much info. Have to photostat. Too much info. What to photostat?

Search Net. Wrong language. Found info. Found that info is lacking. Print. Read. Again.

Info. Info. TOO MUCH INFO!!!!! How to choose which place to visit?? How to know who'd like to go where? Where do I find cheap, good food? ARGH!

Tempted to take thick Lonely Planet book and throw at nearby target. Any target.

Also the crime part is scary. You grow up in safe, secure Singapore and you read about how luggage is stolen, bags are slashed, drugs are smuggled and people are held up in other countries? Makes you [or rather me] wanna run to your bed and hide beneath the covers. I swear, if anything happens to me on this trip, I will never ever criticise Singapore for being a protective nanny state ever.

Other than that, most of the stuff have already been bought, and am now in the midst of winding up my affairs here in Singapore. Which basically means that I'm informing Dr Fox Mulder I'm leaving, my tuition kids that I'm leaving, assigning a pile of homework for when I'm gone, and giving Candle instructions for my convocation.

My little box is now full of the stuff that I need, and hence bought, for the trip, and what's left is basically the clothes, toiletries, and barang. Then I have to clean out the room, hoping to get away with just throwing everything on the floor into the cupboard, and sweeping a bit. After that I have to actually fit everything into the backpack.

Then drive up the guts to make sure I go.

Just kidding. Hee. Of course I'd go. I'm just getting a whole bunch of butterflies, horseflies, houseflies and other-flies in my stomach. [no, no dragonflies.] First time away from Singapore, with friends, and for so long. Before, if anything happened, I could always count on Daddy nearby, and now, I have to count on myself and me friends. I'm paying my own way, I'm staying and bathing with unfamiliar people in unfamiliar places.

Gods, I almost feel sick. I need my blankie.

Anyway, for more practical info:

=I'm leaving on Sunday, 13th June, 11pm at Terminal One, which means that handphone will be off from Sunday night onwards. Anyone who wants to contact me one last time has to call/SMS before then.

=From the 22-25 June I'd be staying in Turtle's room in Stockholm, so I'll try to put something up on the blog during that period of time. Stay tuned. But don't worry if you don't see something new. It doesn't mean I've been kidnapped/raped/poisoned/injured and in danger of death.

Just 4 more days......

Blonde in Bishan

Walking through Bishan Park one morning, I noticed a handsome blonde standing near the huddle of pet shops in the area. He was a golden retriever, one of my favourite dog breeds, so I couldn't help but go up and take a pet.
"Hello there," I said, "What'cha doin' here?"
As I spoke, I imagined what his replies would be.
"Hello there," He said, with a wolfish grin, "Just hangin' round with me mates." And pointed to his friends, hanging around behind him, a little suspicious of me. They were all scottish terriers, and less inclined to be friendly.
We talked for a while, and then he got restless.

"Can't keep a good chap all fenced up like this," He said, "Hang on, lemme get outta here." He was standing in a fenced up area, which had a small hole under it, and he began trying to crawl under the hole to get out!

"My god! Can you squeeze through?"

"Sure can," He said, grinning at me, "Jus' watch me." And he actually did! The pet shop owner definitely has a prison-break on his hands now.
The rest of his friends gaped at him over the fence.
"Oi, mate!" one of them shouted, "Whaddaya think ya doin'??" He kept barking frantically from the pen.
"Don't worry about me, mates!" He shouted back, "I'll be back in a while!"

I now started to worry. He was free of the pen, and kept running circles around me. Possibly enjoying his new-found freedom. I grabbed his collar to stop him running off.

"This is brilliant! C'mon! Let's take a run!" He pulled me by the hand in one direction. Ack, but he was strong! Nearly pulled me off my feet!

"You can't do this!" I said, worriedly, "We'd better stay here." I didn't want the pet shop owner to come out and accuse me of stealing his $XXX golden retriever, and I was also afraid that the scottish terriers would follow suit and we'd really have a prison break on our hands.
"Aw, c'mon!" He tugged harder, "It's not often a guy gets to go out like this!"

"Sit down I say!" With the authority in me, practiced through many tuition sessions.

"Aw nuts," he said, sitting down on the grass. "Wotta wet blanket." Then suddenly, "I thought I saw something!" And tried to run off with me again. Argh! Couldn't help it, I tugged harder on his collar, trying to get him to sit down while I called for help.
We played this cat-and-dog game for a while, while I looked around frantically at the pet shop. Finally I saw an employee, and waved to her to indicate I needed help. "Oi! Is this your dog?" I shouted.

The employee noticed my predicament, and called out to a guy in the shop, who came out and walked towards us. When he noticed the guy coming out, "Aw nuts.", he said down placidly, awaiting his fate.

"You've been a bad boy!" I admonished.

"Aw, can you help a guy?" He stood up to his full height, and tried to give me a hug. Doggy style of course.
"Ok, ok, good boy, good boy, sit down already!" I said. I patted his head and scratched behind his ears.
Finally the guy from the shop came, and I told him what had happened. "Wah, he quite smart hor?" referring to the blonde guy, when I showed him the hole in the fence. Finally he led the dog off on a leash.
"See ya, luv!" he called out, while he was being led off.

Wah lau, quite a freaky experience, but at least no harm done to either party.

I've been trying to put together stuff for the Europe trip, and I can't believe how little I actually have to bring over. I currently have a box in my room where I throw in the stuff I need for the trip, to be packed later. And the box actually seems rather light. Hm. Maybe my bag will be lighter than I think.

I'm also realising that there are tons other stuff I need that I never really thought of. Like padlocks for the backpacks, to prevent theft. Concentrated laundry detergent, for, er, laundry. [$3.30 at Robinsons, supposedly good for 20 washes. Will tell you guys how it is] Axe oil and panadol as part of 1st aid. ARGH!

Because of this, been spending like crazy too, all part of the 'i need it for the trip' mentality. So... could be possible I'm spending a leeeetle more than needed, actually, to make my life a bit more comfortable there. Hee. Guilty Hee. But at least I finally 'liquidated' all my savings for more cash, or rather, I went to the bank with a bag of $1 coins I'd been saving since the start of the year, and plonked them in front of the teller. "Coin Deposit please."

Ah God. Ah God. Ah God. 4 more days till I go. I think I'll spend the remaining days eating all the cheapo hawker food I can find, before I go and potentially starve myself over there.

Anyway, me and the Dragonfly are slow, and I think I prefer it that way for now. Easier and more comfortable to face each other as friends rather than 'maybe something else'. :p Krystal: Don't worry, he definitely knows how I feel, seeing as how he read my entire blog, looking for references to himself. Hahaha... For now, I think this way easier, and less stressful on me also. :p Since, as I mentioned before, I should not be the 'predator' in this case, I'll just wait and see what move he makes to make me change my mind... hahaha... are you feeling worried now? ;p

And do we even have to go to a next step? Maybe if it's meant, it's meant. I still have a few concerns about getting into a relationship with him, so until those are met...

Que sera sera...

Sitting at Sakae sushi with the Dragonfly, waiting for the food to arrive.

"So... I read your blog."

"Er, just how far did you read?"

"Oh, the whole thing. Right up to the reloaded one."

"......Hey! The tempura's arrived! Try the tempura! They're good!"

Yeeaarrrggghhh......

But then again, the idea of a blog is to cue other people into what you're thinking, so in this sense, it worked. A little too well for my liking, but it worked. [Hey! How was I supposed to know he could get Internet access in camp???]

Am I embarrassed that he reads some of this stuff? Do you see me holding up the Sakae menu to my face?

Do I regret that he reads it? Nah... In a strange sense it's slightly better this way. It's easier for me to express what I feel online, so this way he knows how I stand on my end. And I kinda appreciate the honesty. Don't like to hold things back from my friends. [Just hope I don't cross some invisible line of privacy or something...]

Of course the flipside is that he knows just how screwed up I am inside. =P Bleurgh..... boogle boogle gee... And kinda balances it out, since most of the [highly imaginative] crap seems to be coming from my end... Bleurgh again...... Most guys, apparently, have a very simple, direct mind. It's the girls who'd come up with a thousand dozen scenarios instead of simply settling for the most simple course. Mars and Venus.

But interestingly, he doesn't remember most of what I write, except for the essence, and especially parts where a 4-letter word appears. Namely: JCSZ.

Wahahaha... so cute... 2 red-faced people sitting opposite each other in Sakae, waiting for their orders to arrive...

Never mind... I shall switch to other topics......

Prisoner of Azkaban

Like, has anyone seen how DAMN CUTE Daniel Radcliffe is, now that he's growing up??? Just look at that 8Days cover with him!! OMG!!! This may seem mildly paedophilic, but he has the makings of a cutie! Now, only 3 more years to go... =P


Azkaban is a pretty good HP movie, with all the darkness and stuff that were so hyped up in the papers. Funnily, not really that dark to me, but then again, I'm a almost-there-satanic-paganistic-unbelieving-what-have-you so it's mild to me. I ain't no fresh-eyed-bright-eyed-innocent-child-o-mine who hasn't been touched by worldly corruption.

But TOO MANY HOLES. There were too many holes in the plotline this time. A lot of stuff in the book that could have fleshed out the storyline and added more depth were sorely missing. Once again, that sense of loss is even greater this time. I would have loved to see the scene where Harry plays Quidditch and accidentally hexes Malfoy with the Patronus charm. [read the book, people...] Things like the Marauders' Map were also left unexplained, and also Harry's talk with Dumbledore at the end, and whatever happened to Sirius was too abrupt.

This mainly resulted in me giving Dragonfly a crash course in Harry after the movie, to fill up all the loopholes in it. Oops...

The more interesting experience, however, concerned the audience. Bearing in mind that we watched it on a weekend, in June, the theatre was filled with kids, and probably every other person there was a HP fan. [Me too! Me too! Expelliarmus!] This also meant that everytime something interesting was about to happen, there would be an excited buzz through the theatre.

"Knight bus... knight bus..."

"It's the whomping willow!"

"Buckbeak!"

Talk about spoiling your sense of anticipation. But hey, they're kids... :p

Also interestingly, the theatre was most silent during the action scenes, or more exciting parts, but when it came to the heart-to-heart chats, everyone became restless again. Sigh... kids...... [said in most worldly, adult-like voice]

Another thing about the movie: You catch a pretty grown-up Harry in one scene, and then when they switch scene, suddenly he's a kid again? The kids seem to go from childhood to puberty like an adolescent male switches from alto to baritone. Up, down, up, down. Huh??? Thank goodness for the next film they should be firmly settled into adolescence.

Good movie, but I'll stick to the book. Book 6! When art thou???