Standing tall.
It is not an easy challenge
in a world such as this.
Friday, March 30
Monday, March 19
Sigh
If we had clean and fair elections already, another call for clean and fair elections would be redundant, would it not? May there be no need for a third Bersih rally.
So why are there still no electoral reforms? Sigh, maybe nobody wants to give in. If the government maintains that the current electoral systems are fine, reformation is not necessary. Nothing wrong, therefore no need for reforms- perfectly logical. Of course, to each his own definition of "fine". Yes, maybe no one wishes to give in and admit their mistakes. It is never easy for one to own up to his faults, this is a simple fact that can be observed from throughout human history to simple everyday life.
I pray for all the nonsense to stop and wish not to see a need for another rally no matter how much I look forward to take part in one of a worthy cause.
So why are there still no electoral reforms? Sigh, maybe nobody wants to give in. If the government maintains that the current electoral systems are fine, reformation is not necessary. Nothing wrong, therefore no need for reforms- perfectly logical. Of course, to each his own definition of "fine". Yes, maybe no one wishes to give in and admit their mistakes. It is never easy for one to own up to his faults, this is a simple fact that can be observed from throughout human history to simple everyday life.
I pray for all the nonsense to stop and wish not to see a need for another rally no matter how much I look forward to take part in one of a worthy cause.
Friday, March 16
Tuesday, March 13
Excellence? (part 2)
My brothers and I went to play L4D2 again last night. This time no more Versus, we played as a team in Survival mode. Still, I felt inadequate.
Was committing too many friendly-fires because of my lack of accuracy or was one of my friends too stupid to walk into lines of fire? Anyhow I felt that my performance was still under par.
Enough of first person shooter games, I just played Tetris a minute ago and lost pretty badly. Is neurological deterioration kicking in extra early for me?
To stop being so skeptical, I began thinking of areas I am excellent in. Studies came to mind. Well, don't talk about last time lah. I believe I am doing quite well now, by the way. Not to boast in how great I am or whatever, but I can fairly say that my academic results, currently, are nothing to complain about. Good news, yay!
However, it is also nothing much to shout about. I do, in fact, have certain advantages. Most of my course mates who are older than I am probably have language difficulties; while the rest who possess a similar, if not better proficiency in English- the teaching medium used in my college, are likely to be younger than me. Moreover, not all my course mates are academically bright. I am not calling anybody stupid. Just saying that I might just be smarter than a few of the people I study with. Again, not something to be boastful about, I never look down on my friends.
My point is, what is there to be proud of in winning battles when you stand on higher ground?
May I never take pride in being better just because of whatever advantages I might have been blessed with, or because the competitors are less equipped.
Yes, I am grateful for wherever I am standing today in my academics; but I am not proud because of the lack of worthy opponents. Excellent in studies? I still don't think so.
Was committing too many friendly-fires because of my lack of accuracy or was one of my friends too stupid to walk into lines of fire? Anyhow I felt that my performance was still under par.
Enough of first person shooter games, I just played Tetris a minute ago and lost pretty badly. Is neurological deterioration kicking in extra early for me?
To stop being so skeptical, I began thinking of areas I am excellent in. Studies came to mind. Well, don't talk about last time lah. I believe I am doing quite well now, by the way. Not to boast in how great I am or whatever, but I can fairly say that my academic results, currently, are nothing to complain about. Good news, yay!
However, it is also nothing much to shout about. I do, in fact, have certain advantages. Most of my course mates who are older than I am probably have language difficulties; while the rest who possess a similar, if not better proficiency in English- the teaching medium used in my college, are likely to be younger than me. Moreover, not all my course mates are academically bright. I am not calling anybody stupid. Just saying that I might just be smarter than a few of the people I study with. Again, not something to be boastful about, I never look down on my friends.
My point is, what is there to be proud of in winning battles when you stand on higher ground?
May I never take pride in being better just because of whatever advantages I might have been blessed with, or because the competitors are less equipped.
Yes, I am grateful for wherever I am standing today in my academics; but I am not proud because of the lack of worthy opponents. Excellent in studies? I still don't think so.
Saturday, March 10
Excellence?
Just came home from a few hours of LAN gaming. Feeling sorry because it seems that every team that has me as a member loses, this observation was consistent across at least two video games.
A few ex-classmates of mine gathered for supper followed by a visit to a local cybercafe for some "fingers-exercises". We played Left4Dead 2 in versus mode. Whenever I joined the good guys, the good guys lost; as I became one of the zombies, the good guys won. Not trying to complain here, and of course I have better things to do than to announce in this blog that I am no good at computer games! But I noticed that my video gaming skills and reflexes have deteriorated. Besides, it's not that I used to be unbeatable at it. Just saying.
I seem to always have been mediocre at most of the things I did, probably still am now. Take a look at guitar playing, singing, writing, speaking, basketball, etc.
As of now my greatest interest is photography. Purchased quite a bit of equipment already, considering the hobby being rather new. However I tend to just let all my gear rest in the store room, and leave them waiting to be taken out and put to use. I do realise I am not a full-time photographer and may probably never become one, but the amount of money spent on the camera can sometimes seem like a waste as I start to see how often do I actually shoot. How much practice does it take to make a good photographer? Will I ever get there? And where is there?
Is the Phlegmatic temperament a curse? How do you see the fine balance between contentment and complacency?
A few ex-classmates of mine gathered for supper followed by a visit to a local cybercafe for some "fingers-exercises". We played Left4Dead 2 in versus mode. Whenever I joined the good guys, the good guys lost; as I became one of the zombies, the good guys won. Not trying to complain here, and of course I have better things to do than to announce in this blog that I am no good at computer games! But I noticed that my video gaming skills and reflexes have deteriorated. Besides, it's not that I used to be unbeatable at it. Just saying.
I seem to always have been mediocre at most of the things I did, probably still am now. Take a look at guitar playing, singing, writing, speaking, basketball, etc.
As of now my greatest interest is photography. Purchased quite a bit of equipment already, considering the hobby being rather new. However I tend to just let all my gear rest in the store room, and leave them waiting to be taken out and put to use. I do realise I am not a full-time photographer and may probably never become one, but the amount of money spent on the camera can sometimes seem like a waste as I start to see how often do I actually shoot. How much practice does it take to make a good photographer? Will I ever get there? And where is there?
Is the Phlegmatic temperament a curse? How do you see the fine balance between contentment and complacency?
Friday, March 9
Foto Friday
Isn't it unfair that a man is allowed only one path?
God is just!
Yet here am I, complaining about the crossroads ahead.
Wouldn't a life without sacrifices be meaningless.
Sunday, March 4
Of traffic lights and character
You know, the purpose of traffic lights on the road is not to dictate when do you start moving or stop; but to control traffic and prevent accidents on the roads. Traffic lights were placed on the roads for benefits of the road users- drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Creating and maintaining a certain system in which road users from a certain direction got to move while the rest from all other sides stopped and waited. With traffic lights, we each take turns to move as well as stop moving, depending on the colour lit.
So I guess we all know traffic lights are in place to control traffic. Therefore I conclude that they become purposeless when there is no traffic, theoretically.
I believe in the point which I just made in the statement above. And I happen to enjoy driving in the late hours of the night. When there is a negligible number of cars on the road, I do not think it would be necessary to let traffic lights control how people drive, as long as everybody is safe.
Take an example, you are alone on the lane where the light shining is red. There is no one from the direction where the green light is on. It would seem redundant to wait until your light turns green when you can just go ahead and drive off as you know you would not be knocking anyone or anything for that matter, since the traffic is clear.
Why the need to drive as instructed by the traffic lights when there is no traffic?
Growing up, I never liked following rules blindly. If you wanted me to abide by certain instructions and guidelines I had to understand and agree with whatever was being set. This is just a personal value that I proudly adopt although I am not saying that what I do is absolutely right and everyone in this world ought to do likewise.
However, is breaking the law the right thing to do albeit it being consistent with your value system?
Upon an intrapersonal debate, I have decided that stopping in front of a "purposeless" red light on an empty street may just be the right thing to do despite the conflicts with whatever I believe in. Character is about doing what is right no matter what you think and what others might think about you. Next, character is about doing the right thing even when no one is watching; especially when no one is watching.
Because it is the right thing to do, tonight I decide to stop whenever the red light shines no matter the traffic.
So I guess we all know traffic lights are in place to control traffic. Therefore I conclude that they become purposeless when there is no traffic, theoretically.
I believe in the point which I just made in the statement above. And I happen to enjoy driving in the late hours of the night. When there is a negligible number of cars on the road, I do not think it would be necessary to let traffic lights control how people drive, as long as everybody is safe.
Take an example, you are alone on the lane where the light shining is red. There is no one from the direction where the green light is on. It would seem redundant to wait until your light turns green when you can just go ahead and drive off as you know you would not be knocking anyone or anything for that matter, since the traffic is clear.
Why the need to drive as instructed by the traffic lights when there is no traffic?
Growing up, I never liked following rules blindly. If you wanted me to abide by certain instructions and guidelines I had to understand and agree with whatever was being set. This is just a personal value that I proudly adopt although I am not saying that what I do is absolutely right and everyone in this world ought to do likewise.
However, is breaking the law the right thing to do albeit it being consistent with your value system?
Upon an intrapersonal debate, I have decided that stopping in front of a "purposeless" red light on an empty street may just be the right thing to do despite the conflicts with whatever I believe in. Character is about doing what is right no matter what you think and what others might think about you. Next, character is about doing the right thing even when no one is watching; especially when no one is watching.
Because it is the right thing to do, tonight I decide to stop whenever the red light shines no matter the traffic.
Friday, March 2
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