Rediscovery

Slowly, life is settling into a routine. While I would not say life has gone back to normal, it has certainly become predictable (life is considered "back to normal" only when I finally reside in Singapore). Till then, I am a nomad, packing all my sustenance and bringing it everywhere I go. The first of each month always holds some wonder; a month has passed, a month is here, and the year moves on. The days up to the 12th hold eagerness; and once the date arrives, old desires flare up, only to die a few days later (in dismay, I'm afraid). The days after that are spent in deep thought, wondering what I am going to do in the distant future. Planning...

I have made progress on the portability side; for one, I got an iPhone. Unfortunately it was not planned. I forgot that I was supposed to get an iPad.

I am rediscovering things I had long forgotten; the musical saw as a substitute for an ondes martenot, the accordion as a remarkable instrument. These things can bring me to places, if only I will pursue them. They may be regarded as no more than a hobby, but there is a place for everything. The SP Childcare Centre and MLT2 have long been demolished and levelled, but interest in them has rekindled due to my NightWalk Manual (in progress).

If I manage my time I can accomplish a lot in one day (already I'm updating my blog, something I ought to be able to do regularly but don't). Don't shy away from what you want to do. Don't let others dictate what you do. Think carefully. Listen intently.

Is this what you want?

Recent Developments

I'm looking for the soundtrack to The Lost World Jurassic Park. That movie. Hope it doesn't become too difficult. Usually things that I search for are hard to find. And I only find that out when I actually begin searching. Terribly frustrating, isn't it?

A case in point is my 26-inch saw (refer to Dec 20, 2006 and Jan 22, 2007 for the full story). And a more recent item was a toy I saw in my childhood called the Big Big Loader (which I will elaborate upon in subsequent posts). You never know how hard it is to find something until you search for it.

Had been reminiscing recently about my Tekong experience. Thought of posting it, but these things are better said than written. My experience in HTA now is also not worth recording, I feel. Some things are better recorded immediately, like holidays and such, and some are better in retrospect.

Lots of things hanging in the balance. The Black Book (vérsion écrite), I mean. I don't know why, ever since MIT FOC 05/06, I became subjective, and endeavored to record long events like camps in their entirety, which required tens of pages or more. Writer's block would halt production, and the Book would be closed to new stuff till the current one was finished. That was the fate of the second book.

And because of that, my whole poly life went unrecorded (except for camps). Somemore got a lot of things to write. Now mostly forgotten. A bit sad. I've since begun new Books to fill this gap. One day I'll try to remember all the singular things that happened in 3 years of poly.

I rarely end posts at such a low note.

To Put Things Right...

Alright, for the sake of posting, I will comment a bit about the Masquerade Night of SSP Camp 08, as I have mentioned earlier. But only a bit.

Masquerade Night was similar to MIT Club's Disco Night, a regular event in MIT camps. Everyone gets together and dance about. The main difference is that SSP's event is themed, accompanied with live music (what is SSP without live music?), and ample refreshments provided. MIT's Disco Night pales in comparison to that, with its overly loud music, lack of a unifying theme, and minimal refreshments (or sometimes none at all).

Suffice to say, we had lots of fun. If I have time I will elaborate in the next post. For now, back to Tekong!

Voices (The Epic)

My internship in Year 3 was in World Scientific Publishing Co., in 2007. Voices is the name of a lunchtime concert we held at the end of July in the library on the first floor. Sharon was the receptionist in the lobby. And with this brief introduction, I begin the poem proper.

On 31st of July at 1.03
There was this concert in First Floor Library
Alamak, some came too early
They think we start already
Actually practice-practice only!

A lot of people came down to see
There was standing room only
Got one song called "Stand By Me"
This one Alvin sing
Then got another song by Rhaimie
"Save the Last Dance..." or something

Everyone clap.

After that we eat KFC
And pizza with Chicken Tandoori
The pizza a bit cold already
The rest we gave to Sharon in the lobby!

The 26" saw has been obtained!

Well well well, after a hiatus of approximately a month, here I am again. I got the 26" saw!
May I indicate that it wasn't any of those saws I mentioned in the previous post. It is neither the ones produced by the enthusiastic boss, nor the one that cost $12.30.

It is one with a wooden handle, bought at $15 from a shop in Maude Road, seven days after the writing of the previous post (27th December). There were 2 establishments around that area selling 26" saws. Well, I went to one, and they presented me the saw of the aforementioned length. I felt it was OK, but not enticing enough. Quite skinny. I was looking for one with greater taper, from tip to end. I performed some bending motions and rapped it with my knuckles, to the amusement of the shop auntie and her assistants. But still not good enough! So I put down the saw and kindly stated that I will see to other shops first.

The second shop that I went to was a roundabout affair. I had been led here from Toh Guan Road in Jurong East. The man there said he had 26" saws, but they weren't in the warehouse at that moment (11am in the morning I think). He said he would fetch them from the business at Maude Road, but it would arrive only in the late afternoon. Well, I thought I might as well go there to see it for myself. True enough, he called shortly after, and suggested the same. I acceded to the suggestion.

This business was also a lucky break. It wasn't listed on the Yellow Pages or whatever guide. But it had a 26" saw! It was called Chee Fatt Co. Nearly closing time, but I was allowed to go in, quoting the name of a lady whom I was to look for inside. I went in, enquired about a Cynthia, and was led to a table covered with papers at the back of the office. There was Cynthia.

She despatched a workman to get the 26" saw. It came, and I did the works. Bent the saw to alarming extents, rapped it, even brought out my bow and used it. I do not remember any amazed or curious looks from the other people in the business, only one workman who smiled. They were all behind me, but I imagine they must have felt as such.

It was purchased. Originally priced at $19, I got it for $15! What more can I ask?

It is now safely at home. I intend to sand it, so it is even thinner, so that I can bend it to even greater extents. (It is really tiring and cramping on the fist, bending it all the time.)