Power judging

In the news today, there was this guy that was convicted for pissing on a disabled woman as she lay dying. It happened somewhere in the UK, where this sod was drunk/high and thought it was amusing that this lady had fallen from her wheelchair. They actually called an ambulance later on, but the lady was already dead (not caused by the guy).

Certainly a deplorable act, this was supposedly a one of a kind conviction. What hit me was what the judge said; "You have plumbed the depths of depravity". Now if that isn't a power packed line, I don't know what is. It's often that the newspapers quote judges, and they're usually very good lines.

Do these judges have a list of 'judgment quotes' in front of them when they sentence? Is it spontaneous?

Or since the decision is primarily made by a jury, the judge is pretty bored during the session. Plenty of time to rack his brains for a 'FINISH HIM' line.

What happens during...

a dream/flashback scene in a live audience show?

You know those sitcoms where they're acting out a scene in front of a live audience? Suddenly a character says, "Gee, I remember those days..." *cue cheesy dream music*.

If I'm amongst the live audience, do I then focus on a big screen showing this flashback?

And what if the story 'twists' where you think you're watching what's really happening, when it's actually a dream instead? Am I, as the live audience, privy to this information, thus spoiling the 'surprise'?

Hmm...

[untitled]

So living in the trees didn't work out. There wasn't a plug point for my Xbox.

Sure we have a lot to be thankful for in this country. I know the facts and figures; despite my griping, I am, alongside you my reader, probably in the top 5% economic demographic in this country.

I guess I just have no faith in the management of this place. So I'm making decision 1.

I'm gonna get mine.

Stuck in the 2nd world

Of late, we've been experiencing a serious bout of inflation. Being a middle class citizen, it's unsettling to see the purchasing power of your hard earned RM being reduced. Couple that with an already unfavourable exchange rate, and you've got yourself some serious angst.

We live in a 3rd world country, earning 3rd world income, but are at the mercy of global price movements. At the same time, if you're reading this, it's likely that you've grown up with 1st world exposure, thus leading to 1st world wants and dare I say it, needs. There sure as hell isn't a Made in Malaysia Xbox 360!

So we're stuck in the middle of these two 'worlds', and I'm just wondering which would be easier.

1) Use that angst to strive to gain more 1st world stature/items?
- Understand that this requires not only enormous resolve, but killer hard work and discipline.

2) Accept and LIVE a 3rd world life.
- Doing this would mean this might be my last post before I sharpen my tools, strip naked, and run off to live in the trees... with my Xbox of course.

Fate strikes again

I think life's interesting most of the time. I do believe in a higher power/s, and for some reason, I think they're having a good time at my expense. (ooh the arrogance!) Here's another story to hang on my virtual wall.

The other day I went to the hospital to do a health check that required me getting a chest x-ray. Of all dozen or so doctors behind the counter, there was this really cute one that I saw. So naturally I just said a small prayer hoping that she'd be the one to 'serve' me.

Lo' and behold, she called my name! So blablabla with the forms/details/x-ray, which were done in less than 5 minutes, then she tells me to wait for her while she gets my file to another (more senior I assume) doc to approve.

So as I waited, I'm thinking, "Jeez, she's cute, and she did give me a neat smile when she asked me to take my shirt off. Maybe I ought to ask her out". (yes we are that simple) A few minutes of nervous fidgeting later, I decided I was going to do it. I thought up the lamest line I could think of, and even got out my business card so I could slip it to her quick like... and I waited..

And waited.. (I could see her scuttling around)

And waited.. (She's glancing my way, yessah!)

And waited.. (She disappears for a prolonged time)

Till I got fed up and just wanted outta there, only to have this DUDE announce my name right that minute. So... disappointed... dejected... I made my way to the payment counter. There I thought, "Godsdamnit, I'm gonna walk right by there again, and if she's there, I'm bloody well walking in and giving her my card some way or another".

So after I pay them, I walk back there... and.. she's. just. not. there.

Gimme a break will ya'll? Sigh. =\

Story #4 - Monsters

Again, this one was inspired by a line I read from Gaiman's new book "Fragile Things". Once more, the last line I've unabashedly borrowed.

-.-
The man didn’t flinch as the carrot bits hit him in the face. “Great, at least I get a little snack”, he thought. "This sure beats sitting around the office; pandering to silly clients, making sure the boss sees you working, dodging politics like a damn circus act. All that for what? A pat on the back and a raise enough to buy more short term highs”. He looks upward and sees it smiling down at him, just as the lid shut. And as the water boiled, he thought to himself, “At least you knew where you stood with monsters”.
-.-

A Malaysian love song

Kinda mushy, but I'm in the mood. I had a post earlier last month about 'reg-girl' whom I saw again at a Merdeka gig in No Black Tie. During that event, a blues singer named Isaac Entry played a song, which till today, keeps popping up in my head.

Unfortunately, I only remember part of the chorus, and since this is just text, if you ever bump into me, I'll try and sing it for ya. It's REALLY catchy, and goes like this.

"You've got to buka-buka your mata. Because cinta. Can be so buta"

I'm not huge on the indie music scene here, but this has to be one of the better ones lines I've heard. Malaysia boleh! (that dude's a Sabahan or something)

Story #3 - Last stand

This one is inspired by a particular episode in 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman. The main character, Dream, faced a demon in a challenge of riddles. I borrowed the last line, which I found so powerful.
Also, it's a fitting story for an eternal optimist. ;)

-.-

“It’s almost cliché that our kind needs to brag, but I feel obliged to let you know just how special you are. The cost of my services rarely justifies the results, so I’m not exactly the first in line for simple murder. It was I that whispered foul into Cain’s ears. My hammer forged the arrow that brought down Achilles. Every blade that thrust into Caesar carried my mark. And do you honestly believe the assassin of Martin Luther was of mortal skill? Now, before I do you this honour, just who might you be?”

“I am hope”, said I.

-.-

Story #2 - Happily Ever After

A little more about this project. As I'm pretty new at this, so far the challenge to me seems to be able to draw a bigger story with the 100 words. For the moment, it seems like there's only enough room to draw out one characters' thoughts, or describe one moment in time. We'll see what comes up in the future. Enjoy. =)

-.-

Happily ever after. That’s what they told me. Bah. Let me give you a piece of advice. Stick to rewards of gold, land, fully furnished castles, and perhaps even livestock. Long haired blondes? Princesses? Enchanted damsels? Sure they’re great for the first few years but then comes the whining.

“Don’t leave your shields lying around! MORE ogre blood stains? Why do you have to spend so much time with your stupid sword?”. You’d think that having to vanquish evil-doers, demons, and other monstrosities are valid excuses, but no! “You’ve got to set an example for the kids”, they say. Bah.

-.-

Raya

It's the Raya season here, which I actually love. Foods great, public holidays, and fabulous traffic. What's there not to like?

Oh, and how can I forget our hard working law enforcers. Despite the heat, they diligently man obscure roads, making sure we abide by every rule for; I'm sure, our own safety. Even past midnight, when they must be tired from all that fasting, they seem to be inspired by this holy month to work even harder. Piety moves mountains.

Or was it the almighty Ringgit?

I can understand the pressure. It's the festive month. Everyone else is buying new stuff, and you've got 100 kids to feed. You need the extra dough. I get it. In fact, I don't even blame you. It's the system.

Work 11 years in the force to be paid RM1,000? Heck. I'd friggin mug someone under those circumstances.

So peace out Mr. Teh tarik chugging, Nasi Lemak stuffing, Saya Anti-Rasuah Policeman. Malaysia loves you.

D Day

I've been meaning to kick this project off earlier, but kept putting it off. This post contains the first (hopefully of many) of my '100 Words' series, which are simply stories exactly 100 words long, about pretty much anything I care to write about. I was inspired by Neil Gaiman, my favourite author, who wrote one such story in his book 'Smoke & Mirrors'.

So without further faffing, this one's about a special day for a special person. Hope you like it.

-.-

The first thing to greet her that morning was the ‘Beep’ of her alarm clock, followed by the annoying Dj who always seems to enthusiastically claim that every song he plays is ‘all new’. Bollocks. She honestly believes Tuesdays are no better than Mondays; nor any working day for that matter. She braves the curtains to be greeted by firsthand sunlight. Too much, too fast; she shuts it. 3 messages glow on her mobile; each wishing her a great one. “I’ll try”, she thinks. It starts to vibrate, revealing his call… and she smiles her first smile of her year.

-.-

Memory chemistry

I'm reading an interesting book right now called 'Social Intelligence' by Daniel Goleman. So far it's pretty good, albeit a lil technical. No mercy with the scientific terms.

In one small segment, he talks about memories. I've never really given it much thought, but according to him, they're actually chemicals in our brain that are 'stored'; much like the hard-drive you're running reading this right now.

It seems that throughout life, each time we 'access' a memory, it is re-written to take into account any new context/information.

The thought of that is just 'wow'. Imagine if we could isolate where these chemicals are exactly, and perhaps one day engineer them!

Wish you could visit the Bahamas? "Sure thing sir. This won't hurt one bit". You wake up with a complete memory of having a wonderful beach holiday with Jessica Alba!

Of course, the opposite of this would be something along the lines of 'The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', which I think has to be one of the coolest movies.

Would you like to have your memories messed with?

The sense of happiness

We humans have an interesting ability to tie emotions to our senses. Our 5 senses work in such an incredible way that they manage to summon up very specific feelings depending on the stimulus.

Perhaps the easiest one to begin with is sight. Seeing someone you love is a surefire way to bring up happy thoughts.

A great track does wonders for you when you're in the car waiting at the light.

I'm hungry right now, so I think the smell of a fresh waffle, with vanilla ice-cream and strawberry sauce is just perfect. So would the taste I bet.

The one thing I've yet to place is what tactile sensation would trigger happiness?... The closest thing I can think of is the feeling of sand falling between my fingers. =\

Frog 1 : Federal Highway 4,902,820,382,281

Awhile back I witnessed a sad sight on the Fed where this rodent took a one way ticket to the pearly gates.

Yesterday, on the way back home from work, I witnessed a surprising feat! The not-so-little frog that could, hopped its way past 3 lanes of traffic to safety! At roughly 7.30 I was on the fast lane where the fella just passed right in front of me. As I glanced back, it made it all the way without getting squished!

Once more, I can't help but wonder what the hellllllllllll was it thinking. I'm sure it's like a game going on. All the roadside creatures have a pot where they wager their chips (or used ciggy buds, leftover nasi lemak, Twisties, other road kill, etc) and the one that makes it across alive gets to claim the prize!

Of course, the odds of some fella taking the prize is slim. After all, after he makes it across, he's gotta go back to pick it up right? ;)