Jan/1001:57
Adieu
Well, in about 19 hours’ time, I’ll be embarking on a year-long journey to Stockholm, Sweden for the NOC programme. I’ll be missing sunny Singapore and braving a ~40 degrees difference in temperature. To anyone who wants to send me off, just gimme a yell for the details =P
This will be a great opportunity to explore some of Europe, and more of myself. But of course…
I’ll be missing my friends. The Compclub bunch for all their geeky (and more often than not, wrong) nonsense, my NUStyle buddies for the close support we’ve lent each other, and various other wonderful individuals. I’m thankful that I got to spend some cherished time with many friends during the holidays.
I’ll be missing my whole family, for their support and all the chatter.
And I’ll be missing home.
Aug/0920:37
Nuances
My dog’s so irritatingly adorable sometimes. She’s mortally terrified of getting her nails cut. Upon hearing the words “cut” and “nail”, she will drop whatever she has in her mouth and scurry off to a corner or to her small house. Just now I tried sticking my hand inside to pull her out, AND SHE BARKED AT ME! That gave me quite a shock. It was the first time she barked like that in that context. Most of the time she’d just resign to her fate while I dragged her on the floor by her feet.
Anyway, the first week of school’s over, and there’s already plenty to think about, especially for my 8MC project module. Not sure if my groupmates wanna continue developing on the multi-touch table or to try something else. Of the 4 suggested topics the lecturer gave us, only one of them stood out for its novelty. It was a BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) based game. Definitely interesting (and challenging), but the lecturer did warn us that interest and curiosity doesn’t carry you through all the way.
Warning: Mild tech talk ahead.
On another note, I just finished writing the bulk of stuff for a Wordpress plugin. It’s active on this blog, and it basically lets certain parts of the page update without having to refresh the whole page (which is slower and resets the Flash content). It’s just a simple plugin I wrote to get myself introduced to the inner workings of Wordpress. After I fully develop this plugin (by adding in compatibility with browser history), I’m gonna write another one that integrates Qik into Wordpress.
Aug/0923:15
Faculty
This evening, I attended the post SoC FOP appreciation dinner. I bore witness to all the heartfelt gratitude everyone involved had for each other, and through the series of videos (painstakingly strung together and edited by Elizabeth and Kai Wei), I saw the effort, the camaraderie, and the fruits of their labour.
[Aside: I was wondering about the amount of work put into editing the really long length of video footage as I watched it. Having done basic video production before, I was notably awed.]
And while sitting there, I felt quite alone. I had missed out on all that. I had missed out not only on the fun, but also on the friendships formed, the inside jokes and the shit stirred.
I sure was occupied during the holidays. Taking a module during special term 2, having to attend RT, being part of the Union Camp committee and handling many separate NUSSU CBLC matters really ate up my time. People always need to breakaway for a while in order not to break down, and after all was done, I really did feel like it was high time I took a rest from everything school related. A friend questioned me: “What have you done this holidays that doesn’t involve school?” Aside from all the small outings and (re)writing a Facebook application, I couldn’t give her a good answer. Not that it’s entirely a bad thing, but it did sound kinda sad.
Thus, when Erik and Pei De asked me to help out in FOW, I turned them down, and I also rejected Chee Full’s request for me to help out in the Elections Committee. Heck, I skipped FIC, Flag day and the whole FOW, including Rag Day, which I passed over in favour of working over the long weekend.
Now, Rag Day was something I actually did want to go for, and I wanted to see how SoC’s Rag performance turned out. I managed to catch a video of the performance just now. I was astonished. Like many have already said, this year’s Rag performance is the best so far, and I now am part of this group of many too. The execution and scale of the performance was so much better.
Well, at least I popped by the FOC and got to know a few freshies (a few of which I later got to know better after UC as well) and met all the familiar faces again. And as Chong Sheng noted, whenever people see me, it’s not a “hello!” I get, but rather a “long time no see!”. I guess it’s time to change that, although I don’t know if I’ve much of a chance to do so. This year is the last opportunity to be part of the CompClub, but other circumstances prevent me from seeking that path.
So here’s my thanks for everyone who’s been part of SoC FOP in any plausible way. I can see a lot of people interested in the club’s activities after them having experienced all this with you guys. In the words of Wen Jie, “this is GOOD SHIT!”
Nevertheless, there are still things to be improved on and gaps to be filled. Two points struck me as this evening’s programme was going on.
Firstly, the general standard of English of Computing students. It’s not bad to the point of being incomprehensible, but when I was reading some of the messages of thanks during the video, it was very jarring to see all the mistakes being flashed up there. I know not many will share this sentiment, but it did mar the beauty of the moment for me. Improving your command of the language will only be beneficial to yourself, especially when you are presenting yourself to other people, or trying to communicate your ideas. Do think about making a conscious effort to work on it =)
Secondly is something specific to the Rag performance, and is just an opinion, so feel free to ignore it or act on it as you wish. Compared to last year, I saw a lot more energy in the dance moves. The movements were sharper, more refined. There were also a lot more dancers this year, which was absolutely fantastic. Where the improvement could be made, I feel, is in the choreography. There were a lot of portions where people were shuffling in and out, preparing for the next segment of the performance. I think it would be more aesthetic if there were something for the audience to look at while others were moving in. What I’m saying is, preparation and the actual performance of each segment should be pipelined (I apologise for using a computing term here =P).
I think I’ve managed to pour out and cohere whatever was floating in my head after this evening now. Talk is cheap, and I agree, but some things still have to be said. I feel really guilty for not helping out the CompClub after 2 years.
Aug/0916:35
Firefly
I managed to finish watching all 14 episodes of Firefly and the movie, Serenity. Well, the short-lived series is 7 years’ old now, and I finally took the time to watch it. It’s sad that the series got cancelled after only 14 episodes. There were still so many unanswered questions after the abrupt end.
I like how the show marries the Old West with space age sci-fi, showing that even 5 centuries of technology doesn’t solve the same logistical and administrative problems we have today. Thematically, it’s quite similar to the anime Cowboy Bebop in terms of setting and plot, and how the genres of music (Blues & Jazz in Cowboy Bebop, Country in Firefly) used in them is one of the defining points of the respective shows.
The characters are morally complex, especially the captain. It adds quite a bit of depth and dimension to him, yet also makes it particularly difficult to pinpoint his motivations. You understand the bitterness in him and his honourable ways of doing ungainly deeds, but even then, there’s a large grey area for arguing quite a few of his actions. What makes him tick?
What makes us tick?
Jul/0901:08
Perspective
Sometimes, you need a friend to validate yourself – your existence, your thinking and your actions. Sometimes, you learn that you were wrong, and I’m thankful for that.
Jul/0900:20
New
New space, new platform, new academic year… but the same old stuff.
Ideas for development:
- Qik plugin for Wordpress
- “Like” a-la Facebook for Wordpress posts
Apr/0903:52
Miss
夢のような人だから、
夢のように消えるのです
すぐ運命を死にながら
めくられてきた季節のぺ―ジ
落ちては溶ける
粉雪みたい
止まらない想い
愛さなくていいから
遠くで見守ってて
強がってるんだよ
でも繋がってたいんだよ
あなたがまだ好きだから
もっと泣けばよかった
もっと笑えばよかった
わからなって言ってよ
気にするなって言ってよ
あなたにただ会いたくて
初めてでした
これまでの日々
間違ってないと思えたこと
ひだ間に見たいな
その笑顔
生きる道を照らして見ました
心の雨に傘をくれたのは、あなた一人だった
愛せなくていいから
ここから見守ってる
強がってるんだよ、
でも繋がってたいんだよ
あなたがまだ好きだから
同じ月の下で、
同じ涙流した
ダメなんだよって
離れたくないって
ただ一言ただ言えなくて
いつか命の旅
終わるそのときも
祈るでしょう
あなたがあこがれた
あなたであること
その笑顔を幸せを
愛さなくていいから
遠くで見守ってって
強がってるんだよ
でも繋がってたいんだよ
あなたがまだ好きだから
もっと泣けばよかった
もっと笑えばよかったのかな？
バカだなって言ってよ、
きにするなって言ってよ
あなたにただ会いたくて
あなたに、ただ会いたくて。。。
You’re someone who looks like a dream
So you disappear just like dreams do
I knew we were fated to be that
It’s just like another page of a season that came and went
Just like powdered snow
Falling and melting
My feelings won’t stop
It’s ok if you don’t love me
Just watch over me from far away
I’m pretending to be strong
But I just want to be connected to you
Because I still love you
I wish I could have cried more
I wish I could have smiled more
Go on and say I’m stupid
Go on and say I shouldn’t care
But I just want to meet you
It was the first time I thought
That my life so far wasn’t wrong
Your smile is like a sunny place
Shining light over the road of my life
You were the only one
Who gave me an umbrella
To shelter myself from the rain in my heart
It’s ok if you can’t love me
I’ll watch over you from here
I’m pretending to be strong
But I just want to be connected to you
Because I still love you
Under the same moon
We shed the same tears
“This is wrong”
“I don’t want to leave you”
I just couldn’t say these words
And even when my life’s journey
Comes to an end
I’ll surely be praying
That you are the person you wanted to be
That you are smiling
That you are happy
It’s ok if you don’t love me
Just watch over me from far away
I’m pretending to be strong
But I just want to be connected to you
Because I still love you
I wish I could have cried more
Maybe I should have smiled more
Go on and say I’m stupid
Go on and say I shouldn’t care
But I just want to meet you
I just want to meet you
Nov/0814:49
Alive
You have changed
I have changed
Just like you
Just like you
For how long
For how long
Must I wait
I know there’s something wrong
Your concrete heart isn’t beating
And you tried to
Make it come alive
No shadows
Just red lights
Now I’m here to rescue you
Ooh still alive
I’m still alive and
I cannot apologise, no
Ooh still alive
I’m still alive and
I cannot apologise, no
So silent
No violence
But inside my head
So loud and clear
You’re screaming
You’re screaming
Covered up with a smile
I’ve learnt to fear
Just sunshine
And blue sky
Is this how it goes
For living here
Come fire
Come fire
Let it burn and love come racing through
Ooh still alive
I’m still alive and
I cannot apologise, no
I’m still alive
I’m still alive and
I cannot apologise, no
I’ve learnt to lose
I’ve learnt to win
I turn my face against the wind
I will move fast
I will move slow
Take me where
I have to go
Ooh still alive
I’m still alive and
I cannot apologise, no
(I’m still alive)
Ooh still alive
I’m still alive and
I cannot apologise, no
Ooh still alive
I’m still alive…
Nov/0822:51
Enter
Just read that BoA’s trying to break into the US market now, and is releasing an album early next year. Well, I’ve heard her first single, and while it’s not exactly my type of genre, it still manages to be catchy after a bit. But it’s not that spectacular a song, I must say.
I’m quite skeptical of Japanese artistes trying to enter the big US of A’s domain, for a few reasons. First, there are always lines of broken English weaved into these Japanese songs. Lines like “I know loneliness is best friend” and “mama says a man is dreamer”, both from 抱きしめる from her OUTGROW album, make me cringe everytime I hear them. Well, not that much anymore, since I’m a little desensitized to this by now. Point is, I’ve heard BoA speaking English before, and she can do so perfectly well. She doesn’t even have the weird accent(another point which makes me skeptical). I find it quite hard to believe that she has no power over minor edits to the lyrics to make them grammatically correct. But that’s an aside. Thankfully, these grammatical errors don’t carry over to their US releases.
If you’ve actually been following this blog since… a very long time ago, you’d know that I was totally distraught and disappointed with Utada Hikaru’s foray that was Exodus. Some Exodus it was, because the tracks left my playlist pretty quickly. Anyway, if you know that, you also know that I hated it for it’s mostly trashy lyrics, which is the next point. It feels as though it’s a necessity in order to get your music heard over there. Or maybe, it’s just the catchy hip-hop tunes and less of the lyrics that they look out for. Whatever the case,the lyrics in BoA’s single (which is entitled Eat You Up) is quite ridiculous. Lines like “I’ll eat you up… So yum yum…” leave me speechless.
And finally, the sleeeeeaze. Let’s see what I mean!
The US Version:
The Asia version:
Why oh why? The Asian version is quite whacked, but those dance moves are pretty slick. The US version just has BoA and some random dude in suggestive poses, along with some less fantastic dancing.
After the bad experience with Utada’s Exodus, I hope I’m wrong this time round, and BoA releases tracks that I wanna listen to.
Nov/0804:28
Misinterpretation
First, read this article: ACJC girl tied up, roughed up, and humiliated on elite JC premises.
Next, view the videos.
Then, decide whether you agree with what the writer said.
Personally, I think the writer was making a mountain out of a molehill. I think whether or not the whole incident should be considered a case of bullying is primarily subject to the “victim’s” perception. It was quite evident from her tone of voice and the things she said that she wasn’t shaken by the whole thing, yet it wasn’t so, to the writer. I mean, of course no one has some (sick) burning desire to be put in a situation like that, but in this particular case, since the person appreciated his/her friends’ thoughts, then who are you to complain?
I suppose the writer was referring to the moment just before she got smashed. Really, if she indeed did break down and cry, I’m confident the rest of them would have had the moral capacity to stop there and then. But nah, she (much to her misfortune) was okay with it.
Now, to drive home the point that the writer was wrong: Not bullying, but birthday celebration amongst good friends, says ACJC
Some “gems” from the comments:
you guys werent even at the scene, you guys dont even know what truly happened. if it was bullying, im sure the girl can complain and sue the whole lot of them. and the video is clearly blurred. we cannot even see the so-called “victim”’s expression. you guys just base your view on whatever is written. like hello, maybe whoever the weird person is to post this video off, HAS CLEARLY MISINTERPRETED the whole thing? what makes you guys think that her judgement and her view and whatever she said was right?
Ding!
smartypantx you are what your name suggests, acting smart and nothing more. You going to JC? My toes are laughing you might as well forget about it because you clearly don’t have the capability to achieve that. I find it pathetic and laughable of you that you are unable to accurately visualise, judge and imagine the situation based on the video and sound. It just shows your level of mental capacity and ineptness.
The irony. Not to mention, he’s making personal insults, which I feel are totally pointless and unnecessary. I actually hate people who resort to this, which automatically includes 90.23423% of the population on the Internet, or at least, in online gaming.
And well… Posting the video online isn’t the smartest thing to do. Even if it’s to share with friends, you’ll never know when someone might see it, misinterpret it and take it out of context, then post it on some public media.
Without the videos themselves, I personally still wouldn’t have made a judgment just by reading the article, because I don’t have background knowledge. However, I suspect that quite a few others would have immediately lambasted the supposed ridiculity of the situation. Regardless, even with the videos around, the same shit happens. Doesn’t help that it’s usually these same people that are vocal, and thus create the false impression that nearly everyone is on the same wavelength as them.
Point is, don’t post shit up unless you’re fully informed, and don’t say shit unless you know what shit you’re spouting (I know I might be shooting myself in the foot here, so go ahead and point it out).
There’s entirely another debate on the gray area between “in good humour” and “bullying”, and I don’t think I wanna say much about it, but you can probably infer my stand from what I said earlier on.