Insomniac.
Thursday, December 31, 2009, 01:21 p.m. #1650.
Insomnia
Electric President
There's a light bulb dangling from string
It's slowly swaying up over my head now
As I jot down the words that'll never be sung
And wait for my headache to numb
And the wind sounds as if the world's sighing
And the moon's just a torn fingernail
As the TV flickers and hums by the wall
And I wait for my eyesight to fade
So, so, so
It's so damn slow
So, so, so
It's so damn slow
And the bright-eyed choke on ambition
And the old folks circle their graves
And the young ones are busy destroying their names
And you're still just wasting away
I sit and watch the screen for a message
Some kinda sign that says we're OK
But the screen stays blank till I turn the thing off
And wait for my conscience to break
So, so, so
It's so damn slow
So, so, so
It's so damn slow
I hope you're learning to listen
And I hope you're learning to stay
And I hope you find what you're missing
And I hope that you're making your way
I'm a headcase if I don't keep moving
And my head hurts if I don't sit still
It's an itch that I'll never stop scratching
It's a hole that I'll never quite fill
So...
Ending the year with this song ringing in my head. First heard it on The O.C. (one of the most underrated TV series of all times), then in my student's parkour video, and somehow it came back to haunt me today with its quiet charm that makes me smile and feel melancholy at the same time.
Watched the final season of Pushing Daisies recently as well. A pity that such a great series has to be canceled so prematurely, with only 22 episodes in all of its two seasons. Also caught up with Avatar in 3D on Christmas since there's been so much hype. While the technology may be groundbreaking and the political subtlety may be brave, I didn't find the storytelling extremely appealing - the "environmental" element seems to be just following the tide, and the treatment feels traditionally Hollywood. Singapore Idol is another disappointment - while it's bad enough that we're having less talented singers, it's worse that Singapore eventually went on with the familiar choice of Sezairi, who's like the same kind of sleek, popular guy with above-average vocals, like his predecessors Taufik and Hady. Sylvia, while not exactly deservingly idol-esque either, would have added some much-needed "color" to the SI alumnus.
Christmas week would have been an action-packed week, but not after as many as three outings were canceled or postponed at nearly the last minute, and I ended up having much time for self reflection.
2009 has definitely been a ride. It started off slowly but accelerated in exponential rates towards the end (which explained the fall in the number of blog entries). The year saw my transition from a classroom teacher to a Level Head and now a Head of Department - moving on and on, venturing into the unknown without much time for looking back.
Now I am looking forward to the new year with much apprehension and excitement...
It's an itch that I'll never stop scratching
It's a hole that I'll never quite fill
... and I hope I won't be getting too much of insomnia in 2010. See you next year.
Survivor 19.
Monday, December 21, 2009, 05:16 p.m. #1649.
Really happy with the results of Survivor 19: Samoa, where the "villain" Russell loses the title to the "dumb-ass girl" Natalie (7 out of 9 votes).
It's admirable how this guy managed to manipulate everyone throughout the season, to vote for the people who showed tiny signs of going against his plans or made him feel threatened. Whenever someone showed a bit of suspicions about his vicious plans, Russell would come up with a convincing story and get everyone to vote that person out, immediately. At nights, he would be busy burning people's socks and pouring out water canteens, just so that the other players would become miserable and weaker. It's also amazing how he found the hidden immunity idols repeatedly without clues. He had the power to make people believe him - even when they knew he's an extremely strategic player. One woman even left the game with no hard feelings when he'd used her all along and got her to betray all her teammates by voting all of them off. In his own words, "They're my puppets. When I'm finished with them, just throw them in the trash." Quite scary actually - and he was so confident up to the very last second, that he was going to win the game as he thought he played the game so well.
But he didn't win. And I'm glad he didn't. What would it have meant if he had won? That it is okay to cheat, lie, hurt people, manipulate their feelings, build trusts with people and then immediately blindside and backstab them like they're just pawns... just because Survivor is just a game? Like what Jaison has put into perspective aptly: If you would hate this person if he were in your office, why is it that all these negative energies become acceptable in Survivor?...
Russell was teary-eyed and clearly upset during the Reunion - and it's understandable. He'd done so much, he'd played so hard - but he didn't win. And I'm happy with this outcome. Russell was the best Survivor player. But Natalie survived Russell.
机关算尽太聪明，反算了卿卿性命。真的是"聪明累"呵!
Am looking forward to February, when Suvivor 20 kickstarts with "Heroes vs Villains" as the main theme.
Bravery.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, 08:55 p.m. #1648.
Was having dinner at a mall when I heard an a cappella version of "Jingle Bells" coming from nearby. Oh well, Christmas is here soon (yep, just spent so much on Christmas presents!) so I suppose Christmas songs are timely to add on to the festive atmosphere... hmm, well, that is if the songs are nice.
The female voices were fine, but the male voices were horribly out of tune by full semitones! And when the girls sang long notes, the guys would make some unnecessary and complicated sounds that didn't support the melody line at all. It was the worst harmony (or best disharmony?) I've ever heard. Really wanted to know which producer would allow such unpleasant sounds to be recorded, if it was to be a CD album, so I quickly finished my meal and traced the source of the still-ongoing a cappella.
It turned out to be a live performance - a few girls in their twenties and some bespectacled guys. They had only a very small audience, but they still sang with zest (the guys were still out of tune). By then I began to feel a bit of empathy towards them... fine, shall not be harsh on fellow amateur performers.
Then on my bus-trip back home, there was this teenage boy who was digging his nose furiously. And he did it with such impeccable and precise routine - first he would reach out his index finger straight, then he would poke it into his nostril, go a few rounds, then flick his snot towards his front (I could almost hear the powerful flick), and finally rub his hand on his jeans. With his iPod earphones stuck in his ears, he was oblivious to the people who were all staring at him in disgust, and he continued his routine, repeatedly, with his eyes closed - totally immersed in his own heavenly pleasure.
Two kinds of embarrassing bravery in a day - one is admirable and may grow into something potentially beautiful, while one is condemned to eternal abomination.
Sweet Silence.
Friday, December 18, 2009, 01:36 p.m. #1647.
Today is one of my happiest days for the last four years.
Four years ago, my good buddy helped me build a computer system that is so good it is still serving me extremely well until today, and I'm unwilling to upgrade to a new computer. But there is something which I simply could not stand, and I realised it the moment when he switched on the computer for the very first time. There was a very loud and high-pitched whining sound that came from the system. Somehow my friend couldn't hear it. Thinking that I was just too sensitive to sounds, I bore with it. But the sound always got even louder the longer I worked on my computer. Apparently I was also not the only one who could hear it (this sentence reminds me of "The Sixth Sense"), it's so loud that my family could hear it too. The situation was so bad that I could hear the computer from outside my house, even when it was running in my bedroom (which was across my living room) with the door closed. Yep, it's that bad. But my family got used to it and easily treated it like an ambient noise. I simply couldn't - the sound drove me crazy and it gave me terrible headaches that prevented me from working - I'm just too "allergic" to noises! Still, I tolerated it for the past four years - upon consoling myself that I'm just paranoid.
Yesterday, I decided I should not suffer anymore. Sought advice from JB, found out that the problem was the CPU fan, and today I brought the computer to Fuwell at Sim Lim Square. The girl at the counter was astonished that a system that was built four years ago could still work so well, and she recommended a suitable CPU fan accordingly. Because my original casing was too small and couldn't accommodate the new larger fan, I had to get a new casing (which cost twice as much as the fan). When I told her I wouldn't mind spending more on a more expensive fan just to make sure that it's silent, she advised that mine is already an old system and that I really shouldn't spend too much on a fan. Then I watched the service guy help me install the new fan, and dust and shift all the components from the old casing to the new one. (And he shared that original Intel CPU fans always spin hopelessly and insanely fast to cool the hot system, and the noise is infamous.)
Within an hour, my "suffering" for the past four years has been lifted off. The computer is so silent I can hear a pin drop, and it looks totally brand new now. Thanks to JB's advice and the wonderful service from Fuwell.
That brings me to my point: Why have I been procrastinating all these years? Note to self: Shall never suffer in silence in future - always do whatever I can immediately, to make myself happy.
Kind of.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 04:48 p.m. #1646.
As usual, I'd managed to amuse myself during those brief idle moments at Batam...
An optimistic-looking emergency exit.
Wonder how the ferry crew handle those people who stand and ROLL at the sides of the ferry.
Grammatical and spelling errors aside, that's the most comprehensive list I've ever seen in a hotel. Didn't check whether the "CUTTLE jug" smells fishy though. And I wonder what's the meaning of "extra clean". More disinfectant?
That's one branded designer TV.
Does the room service offer any type of sandwiches? Er, kind of...
Batam.
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 02:57 p.m. #1645.
Went on a short trip to Batam with Sis.
Started with Nongsa (Turi) Beach as Batam beaches are well-known for their scenery. Well, the beaches were indeed scenic, but the water and the beach were a little polluted. The sea breeze was really strong there. The coconut trees were all swaying nonstop like in the postcards - and our hair was all over the place. The above pictures were unedited by the way - think the colors of the first picture are stunning and embodied the quiet, rustic beauty of the place.
Was wondering what these houses along the beach were for, then I saw a woman praying in one of them.
But the best part of trip turned out to be something that was not in our itinerary. Found a small residential "village" near the beach, and we ventured into it.
The lush greenery was beautiful, and the thatched houses had a homely charm to them. There were chickens trodding around pulling out worms from the ground, and the place was quiet except for the occasional cock crows. I guess the people had either gone for work, or were staying inside their houses to keep away from the heat.
This family was chilling out with their cute little baby beside their mini-canteen stall. They thought we were Korean.
There were many of such shady latrines around. Wells too.
Found this doll on a tree. A little eerie. But it looked almost lonely and yearning for attention with its skirt flying in the wind.
Went for a massage after that. Massage parlors are everywhere in Batam, but I chose this Sport Massage Centre as it's supposed to be cheap, good and non-sleazy according to Sis's web research. And yep, it was good. Sometimes the massage felt like water slowly trickling down your neck, back, thighs and legs after a shower - only that the liquid exerts more pressure than normal water (probably a denser liquid like mercury, haha). Sometimes the pulses felt like a tsunami that builds up and then resides. And yes, there were a few bone-crackling stunts. The exterior of the massage centre didn't look very impressive - it didn't even have a proper signboard - but the interior and service were good. Really cheap too. Around S$18 for a 1.5 hour full-body traditional massage with oils. Much cheaper than a simple massage in Singapore even with the traveling fees included.
Walked to the nearby Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall. The roads were quite intimidating. There were traffic lights around, but those were really just for traffic - there weren't any of those red/green man lights for people. Just when you think the road is clear, there could be one horde of trucks coming from a hidden curve. The locals jaywalk, and they would confidently walk slowly. This reminds me of the road conditions in Vietnam, but in Vietnam the vehicles are slower and smaller, mostly slow-moving scooters that can swerve around you. Here, the vehicles are much faster, and there are cars, trucks and motorbikes that speed quite badly... but they do slow down when they see people. I just didn't have confidence on the drivers to jaywalk like the locals. There aren't overhead bridges in Batam too (the only one I saw was the linking bridge between Batam Centre and Megamall), so the only way to cross roads is to bravely cut across the roads - and the roads are wide.
Anyway we managed to safely get to Nagoya Hill, where we were surrounded by really cheap stuff at the Matahari department store (Matahari can be found at several places in Batam and it sells a variety of clothes, shoes, watches, perfumes and stuff - something like Isetan in Singapore). Couldn't resist buying 6 T-shirts at one go. Only S$4 each, and they looked like unique designer T-shirts! Got a nice short-sleeved shirt for Dad and a Polo cashmere for mum too.
There's a Food Street in there, and the variety is quite astonishing - Chinese, Malay, Japanese, fastfood, restaurants, cafes like Godiva Bistro... you name it, they have it. But many of the stall-owners were openly napping though. Anyway I settled for the long-missed A&W for lunch. Root Beer Float somehow always tastes heavenly at A&W. That's chicken soup in the foreground, and the burger-looking thing in a wrapper in the background is actually plain rice. And no, I don't remember the Mozza Burger when we had A&W in Singapore. It was nice and juicy though - loved the bacon bits in it.
That's the room at our Harbour Bay Amir Hotel - a rather obscure hotel, but decent. By the way, the cost was just S$58 for a 2D1N stay, including ferry tickets and transport service to and fro the ferry terminal and the hotel.
That's the view from our hotel room. The aptly cruise-shaped building is the Harbour Bay Terminal. The foreground is the rooftop of an under-construction and almost completed Harbour Bay Mall just beside our hotel - I guess the hotel will become more popular when the mall is done.
Spent the second day shopping at Megamall, just beside the Batam Centre Terminal. The famous J.CO donuts are here. Daily necessities are really cheap at the Hypermart there. Just for example, the Gatsby hairdye costs only S$1 there - well, you get the picture. Had massage again - this time a foot massage - the above was the seaview from the massage room.
And that wrapped up my short two-day trip - going to start work soon again!