The past weeks have been insane. So insane that I'd rather not blog about them. And so I didn't.
Apart from keeping my work off my private turf, I am also trying to limit the damage that such bitching might do if people read it over here and then carry tales.
There are things I am unhappy about. There are things people do I am unhappy about. I bitch about them in person and I'll leave them as that.
There is more to life outside work. We say it but do we know how to live it? This is a skill many of us sorely lack.
A couple of recent deaths are stark reminders once again of the careless way we live our lives. Again, I believe we should not have to face the inevitable ourselves to wish we had lived differently. In fact, one of them probably had no inkling his life was ending so abruptly; he was all but a 40 year old keep fit guy.
There, I've said it. I'm going to live life! And, how I love ironies, I will persevere in doing it.
Showing posts with label thank you Death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thank you Death. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Bull...
The source of fuel for many an organisation.
I think this verbal excerpt is taken from some dialogue from some TV show. And I cannot seem to take it out of my consciousness just yet.
I cannot help but think of this when I look at the promise of the AH1N1 vaccine as a cure or for prophylaxis to deal with the ongoing pandemic.
In view of the vaccine, the WHO Director General should be commended for her even keel in stating her reservation about seeking a cure with scant regard for proven safety.
I now wonder what is the next yarn the Big Pharmas purportedly mass producing these vaccines are going to spin...
I think this verbal excerpt is taken from some dialogue from some TV show. And I cannot seem to take it out of my consciousness just yet.
I cannot help but think of this when I look at the promise of the AH1N1 vaccine as a cure or for prophylaxis to deal with the ongoing pandemic.
In view of the vaccine, the WHO Director General should be commended for her even keel in stating her reservation about seeking a cure with scant regard for proven safety.
I now wonder what is the next yarn the Big Pharmas purportedly mass producing these vaccines are going to spin...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The Great Sieve
People fret the homoswivian flu like it is the end of the world. To me, it isn't. It actually represents the beginning of a new world.
In fact, I am looking forward to the next pandemic. I am so looking forward to it I'll lay out the red carpets, throw it a fireworks party and hire some Texas university marching band to give it a grand welcome.
The pandemic is nature's way of selecting the next batch of worthy candidates to carry on the human line. When your gene's time is up, it's time to say goodbye. No need to fret and no need to cry.
When it is not time yet, you will fall ill, then develop resistance and survive the affliction. And then your offspring will have immunity to this new strain of flu. Once these people develop resistance, they will carry the torch for the human species. The last time during the Spanish flu, even though the case-fatality ratio is greater than 2%, the reality is that less than 1% of the population (or about 50 million) died. Incidentally, the Spanish flu was also of the H1N1 sub-type.
Given these trivial numbers, I really wonder what is the big deal about such pandemics.
Let the pandemic do what cancer, heart disease and AIDS failed to do. It is one way of rapidly cleansing the population - au naturel - and it is ethical, scientific and entirely random and objective. You leave or stay depending on your genes suitability to stay on. It is a brutal (f)act but it works.
In fact, I am looking forward to the next pandemic. I am so looking forward to it I'll lay out the red carpets, throw it a fireworks party and hire some Texas university marching band to give it a grand welcome.
The pandemic is nature's way of selecting the next batch of worthy candidates to carry on the human line. When your gene's time is up, it's time to say goodbye. No need to fret and no need to cry.
When it is not time yet, you will fall ill, then develop resistance and survive the affliction. And then your offspring will have immunity to this new strain of flu. Once these people develop resistance, they will carry the torch for the human species. The last time during the Spanish flu, even though the case-fatality ratio is greater than 2%, the reality is that less than 1% of the population (or about 50 million) died. Incidentally, the Spanish flu was also of the H1N1 sub-type.
Given these trivial numbers, I really wonder what is the big deal about such pandemics.
Let the pandemic do what cancer, heart disease and AIDS failed to do. It is one way of rapidly cleansing the population - au naturel - and it is ethical, scientific and entirely random and objective. You leave or stay depending on your genes suitability to stay on. It is a brutal (f)act but it works.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Darwin Award Contender
Japanese man dies after retirement party hijinks
A 60-year-old man who was thrown into the air in celebration at his retirement party died after his colleagues failed to catch him and he fell to the floor, a Japanese newspaper reported on Tuesday. Read more...
My first reaction: I'd say it's time to go after the widow. I'm sure he left a good fortune behind.
On hindsight, was he really that unpopular? I mean, why would anyone toss someone in the air and then not want to catch the person? It's not like the one in the air is wearing conical bra a la Madonna.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Why disasters are good for us
Too often, people are lulled into complacency when things go as planned. People take comfort afforded by the relative calm and, by and large, believe that if nothing is on fire, then everything is fine. Many people go by the adage, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unknown to many people, things may not be "broke" at the moment but there could be people who are trying to "enhance" the "ain't-ness" by tampering with the products. For each and every expose that shows who the real bad guys are, I am pretty certain that there are many other heinous acts that have gone unnoticed. All too often, to be constantly on our toes to monitor the entire market is untenable because of the massive effort required. However, if we need a shake-up quickly, a disaster may be the best option because of its wide-ranging impact.
Disasters in aviation lead the way in showing how a slip-up can shake up an entire industry. One does not have to look far to realise that the ultimate outcome of aviation disasters was a much safer flying environment for travellers. From zero, investigators learnt about metal fatigue, autopilot limitations, aircraft limitations, pilot training manual mistakes, substitution (of parts) problems, wind shear, bird strikes and so on. Each and every disaster precipitated immediate rounds of aircraft checks and aviation practices reviews. It forces industry players to review and propose new updates, changes, training checks, flight safety improvements and most importantly, renew their respect for human lives in the knowledge that human beings are ultimately at the mercy of the equipment they create. Who would have expected, for one, that the black box on the aircraft is given more protection than the pilot and the passengers?
Similarly, the recent Sichuan Earthquake showed us that Chinese engineers have achieved a world's first in civil engineering - they managed to use "soy pulp" (aka toufu zha) to build houses. The race to trace the history of this practice has led to an ongoing review of the building codes in the region. People are concerned how they could be sold such houses and how public buildings such as schools could also be built in this way with such material. People around the world wonder how such houses are built too. But I am also rather sure that engineers in regions that are immune to earthquakes must also be reviewing their bulding codes - do they really need to reinforce their concrete beams and piles with steel rods since the Chinese have showed that under non-earthquake circumstances, these are not necessary? Some people may be able to get cheaper soy pulp houses in the near future.
People living in the hurricane/typhoon zones and tornado-afflicted areas may especially be interested in these kinds of houses. Imagine, you get soya milk after the disaster. You will be swimming in soya milk! And think of all the benefits that you get from these houses - people get crushed to death by concrete beams and pillars. But do you see or hear of people crushed to death by tofu pulp? No! These people are buried because they added concrete to reinforce their pulp. See? The moral of the story here is not to be too smart!
Talking about additives, the latest melamine additive scandal hit the Chinese dairy market right in the balls, I mean bull's eye. The practice was aimed at "showing" a higher nutritional value of the milk during its decomposition through the emission of more nitrogen, a measure of milk with higher nutritional value. Of course, many of us would have realised that the milk is so nutritious that Chinese, Hong Kong and other babies taking them have ended up with kidney stones. And some of them were so over-nourished, they died. The whole world and China are now looking to check if there are other melamine enhanced milk or related products. Looking back, I do not recall steriods killing that many people, even though WWE wrestler Chris Benoit's death did raise a hue and cry in the North American media. By the way, it was the Chinese media leaking the story of the tainted milk (how I hate the English term; the Chinese call it du-nai, which sounds like tonigh(t)) that led to the expose of this latest scandal; had it not for them, Chinese Dairy apparently would have kept quiet about the entire issue. But how does one add melamine to milk? Imagine melamine is what my chopsticks are made of. How could anyone add that to food? And is it in solid or liquid form? Or did the farmers rub melamine to cow udders to promote milk growth? Or maybe it is injected to make the udders harder so milking can take place more often? Sigh, to quote my favourite "philosopher" from beside Down Under, "I really don't know". Oh, it's the male, not the female, though he has threatened the hanky act too! I wonder what's with the southern hemisphere folks and their handkerchiefs.
Disasters are usually broadcast by the media. In at least one case, I am sure the media has a hand in - the recent Wall Street meltdown. Yes, I blame the media. The media has been guilty of not calling it when they had the ability to. While earning big bucks for themselves is important, the media should blow the whistle when they see the obscene subprime rape. They did not; there was defintely insufficient media expose - isn't that their job - of the issue and I wonder who the guy was who short-sold Lehman until the brothers lost their shirts of their backs. Maybe one day, time (or maybe Time) will tell. I am pretty sure that that story will sell for many bucks. I cannot wait to learn more about the guy who changed Wall Street's landscape. (I am sure many investors are cursing me now, after seeing their investments crash into the proverbial wall! Oh yes, I think some Walls' ice-cream is also being recalled for having used tainted milk.)
As my examples show so far, the world loves a disaster. Diana died - disaster. Mother Theresa died - disaster. Michael Jackson's nose collapsed - disaster. Pope dropped dead - disaster. Hurricane Katrina struck - disaster. 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami - disaster. George Bush got elected for a second term - disaster. Al Gore didn't win - disaster. September 11 - disaster. Sichuan Earthquake - disaster. Hurricane Ike - disaster. Obama wins - disaster. McCain wins - disaster. AIG collapes - disaster. AIG saved - disaster. Marking assignments - disaster. So what's new? What is not a disaster these days?
With the spate of "disasters" now, everything is being checked and rechecked. People are suspicious of everything. You know what is truly a disaster? I received a free - yeah, FREE! - packet of chocolate hazelnut bars in my pigeon hole courtesy of the welfare committee where I work. The first thing I did, I read the packaging from the first word to the last trying to see if the word China appeared anywhere. Or tainted milk. I'd eaten the thing without a second thought in the past.
I think I'll let the rest eat first. If they don't die...
PS. I won't be held responsible for anyone attempting the "Chinese Building Feat - the Soy Pulp Building Method" because it is more an analogy of their concrete being non-reinforced rather than literally being a soy pulp structure. That, would have been a tremendous eye popper!
Disasters in aviation lead the way in showing how a slip-up can shake up an entire industry. One does not have to look far to realise that the ultimate outcome of aviation disasters was a much safer flying environment for travellers. From zero, investigators learnt about metal fatigue, autopilot limitations, aircraft limitations, pilot training manual mistakes, substitution (of parts) problems, wind shear, bird strikes and so on. Each and every disaster precipitated immediate rounds of aircraft checks and aviation practices reviews. It forces industry players to review and propose new updates, changes, training checks, flight safety improvements and most importantly, renew their respect for human lives in the knowledge that human beings are ultimately at the mercy of the equipment they create. Who would have expected, for one, that the black box on the aircraft is given more protection than the pilot and the passengers?
Similarly, the recent Sichuan Earthquake showed us that Chinese engineers have achieved a world's first in civil engineering - they managed to use "soy pulp" (aka toufu zha) to build houses. The race to trace the history of this practice has led to an ongoing review of the building codes in the region. People are concerned how they could be sold such houses and how public buildings such as schools could also be built in this way with such material. People around the world wonder how such houses are built too. But I am also rather sure that engineers in regions that are immune to earthquakes must also be reviewing their bulding codes - do they really need to reinforce their concrete beams and piles with steel rods since the Chinese have showed that under non-earthquake circumstances, these are not necessary? Some people may be able to get cheaper soy pulp houses in the near future.
People living in the hurricane/typhoon zones and tornado-afflicted areas may especially be interested in these kinds of houses. Imagine, you get soya milk after the disaster. You will be swimming in soya milk! And think of all the benefits that you get from these houses - people get crushed to death by concrete beams and pillars. But do you see or hear of people crushed to death by tofu pulp? No! These people are buried because they added concrete to reinforce their pulp. See? The moral of the story here is not to be too smart!
Talking about additives, the latest melamine additive scandal hit the Chinese dairy market right in the balls, I mean bull's eye. The practice was aimed at "showing" a higher nutritional value of the milk during its decomposition through the emission of more nitrogen, a measure of milk with higher nutritional value. Of course, many of us would have realised that the milk is so nutritious that Chinese, Hong Kong and other babies taking them have ended up with kidney stones. And some of them were so over-nourished, they died. The whole world and China are now looking to check if there are other melamine enhanced milk or related products. Looking back, I do not recall steriods killing that many people, even though WWE wrestler Chris Benoit's death did raise a hue and cry in the North American media. By the way, it was the Chinese media leaking the story of the tainted milk (how I hate the English term; the Chinese call it du-nai, which sounds like tonigh(t)) that led to the expose of this latest scandal; had it not for them, Chinese Dairy apparently would have kept quiet about the entire issue. But how does one add melamine to milk? Imagine melamine is what my chopsticks are made of. How could anyone add that to food? And is it in solid or liquid form? Or did the farmers rub melamine to cow udders to promote milk growth? Or maybe it is injected to make the udders harder so milking can take place more often? Sigh, to quote my favourite "philosopher" from beside Down Under, "I really don't know". Oh, it's the male, not the female, though he has threatened the hanky act too! I wonder what's with the southern hemisphere folks and their handkerchiefs.
Disasters are usually broadcast by the media. In at least one case, I am sure the media has a hand in - the recent Wall Street meltdown. Yes, I blame the media. The media has been guilty of not calling it when they had the ability to. While earning big bucks for themselves is important, the media should blow the whistle when they see the obscene subprime rape. They did not; there was defintely insufficient media expose - isn't that their job - of the issue and I wonder who the guy was who short-sold Lehman until the brothers lost their shirts of their backs. Maybe one day, time (or maybe Time) will tell. I am pretty sure that that story will sell for many bucks. I cannot wait to learn more about the guy who changed Wall Street's landscape. (I am sure many investors are cursing me now, after seeing their investments crash into the proverbial wall! Oh yes, I think some Walls' ice-cream is also being recalled for having used tainted milk.)
As my examples show so far, the world loves a disaster. Diana died - disaster. Mother Theresa died - disaster. Michael Jackson's nose collapsed - disaster. Pope dropped dead - disaster. Hurricane Katrina struck - disaster. 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami - disaster. George Bush got elected for a second term - disaster. Al Gore didn't win - disaster. September 11 - disaster. Sichuan Earthquake - disaster. Hurricane Ike - disaster. Obama wins - disaster. McCain wins - disaster. AIG collapes - disaster. AIG saved - disaster. Marking assignments - disaster. So what's new? What is not a disaster these days?
With the spate of "disasters" now, everything is being checked and rechecked. People are suspicious of everything. You know what is truly a disaster? I received a free - yeah, FREE! - packet of chocolate hazelnut bars in my pigeon hole courtesy of the welfare committee where I work. The first thing I did, I read the packaging from the first word to the last trying to see if the word China appeared anywhere. Or tainted milk. I'd eaten the thing without a second thought in the past.
I think I'll let the rest eat first. If they don't die...
PS. I won't be held responsible for anyone attempting the "Chinese Building Feat - the Soy Pulp Building Method" because it is more an analogy of their concrete being non-reinforced rather than literally being a soy pulp structure. That, would have been a tremendous eye popper!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Case in point
The New Paper Headline today:
SINGAPORE MOTORIST DIES IN CRASH
He beats red light while fleeing from police.
Sister says: He has no licence but he loves to speed
He rides like he wants to die
And I think he's only 17.
I suddenly feel a teeny weeny bit smarter already!
SINGAPORE MOTORIST DIES IN CRASH
He beats red light while fleeing from police.
Sister says: He has no licence but he loves to speed
He rides like he wants to die
And I think he's only 17.
I suddenly feel a teeny weeny bit smarter already!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Post Sichuan quake thoughts
Long before (well, about 3 to 4 days before) the quake, I was already feeling unwell. I knew something big was coming. It wasn't different from the 2004 tsunami. But I only wished I knew where it was going to be.
Or would that have made a difference?
It's been almost three weeks after the quake. News are still coming in about the death toll, the quake lakes threatening to burst their barriers and the arduous reconstuction journey ahead.
These are normal, although, honestly, fatiguing to hear so much of all these... I somehow have this thought that come 1 Jun, there might be another biggie. It'll be 68 days to the Olympics. I don't know... It seemed to be a rather bad year for China.
Another development that is getting rather out of hand is fund raising for the quake victims. I guess Singaporeans have to capacity to be overflowing with love, since the last major catastrophe we had was the New World Hotel collapse. After that, we hardly had anything to bleed the country's coffers or the gullible Singaporeans' wallets. We weren't hit by the tsunami or any other natural disasters, except for ever increasing oil and food prices.
But what bugs me is the fact that people are organising fund raising events wave after wave after wave... like many small little tsunamis that take turns to hit different coasts, each time requiring a mass evacuation. It's plain tiring to be constantly bombarded. And there are confidence tricksters out to make a quick buck. Fraudsters apart, people raising money begin to look at you in a funny sort of way when you decide and tell them that you have had donated enough to such causes.
Hey, how much can ONE person donate? I am neither Jet Li or Jackie Chan. How am I going to find so much moolah to give away, especially when I need to worry about where my next meal is coming from? I don't go around telling people that I gave $x at y to the Sichuan victims, do I? So, don't assume that if I say I am not giving, I hadn't given.
The Chinese, as with many other peoples, are very expressive people and know how best to tug at heartstrings. The two poems below, with their laymen translations (from me), are case in point. If you need drama-mamas, try getting the Chinese. It some times make me wonder how people in Singapore could be bawling their eyes out when the only things they recognise in Sichuan are the pandas. And yet they speak of their suffering and their misery, as though they were a part of the entire catastrophe. To outsiders looking in, this is so... hilarious.
I am not a callous person. But I believe to be believable and to be above board, you need to temper your willingness to help with good sense and good taste. Otherwise, your emotions are most ill-placed.
Or would that have made a difference?
It's been almost three weeks after the quake. News are still coming in about the death toll, the quake lakes threatening to burst their barriers and the arduous reconstuction journey ahead.
These are normal, although, honestly, fatiguing to hear so much of all these... I somehow have this thought that come 1 Jun, there might be another biggie. It'll be 68 days to the Olympics. I don't know... It seemed to be a rather bad year for China.
Another development that is getting rather out of hand is fund raising for the quake victims. I guess Singaporeans have to capacity to be overflowing with love, since the last major catastrophe we had was the New World Hotel collapse. After that, we hardly had anything to bleed the country's coffers or the gullible Singaporeans' wallets. We weren't hit by the tsunami or any other natural disasters, except for ever increasing oil and food prices.
But what bugs me is the fact that people are organising fund raising events wave after wave after wave... like many small little tsunamis that take turns to hit different coasts, each time requiring a mass evacuation. It's plain tiring to be constantly bombarded. And there are confidence tricksters out to make a quick buck. Fraudsters apart, people raising money begin to look at you in a funny sort of way when you decide and tell them that you have had donated enough to such causes.
Hey, how much can ONE person donate? I am neither Jet Li or Jackie Chan. How am I going to find so much moolah to give away, especially when I need to worry about where my next meal is coming from? I don't go around telling people that I gave $x at y to the Sichuan victims, do I? So, don't assume that if I say I am not giving, I hadn't given.
The Chinese, as with many other peoples, are very expressive people and know how best to tug at heartstrings. The two poems below, with their laymen translations (from me), are case in point. If you need drama-mamas, try getting the Chinese. It some times make me wonder how people in Singapore could be bawling their eyes out when the only things they recognise in Sichuan are the pandas. And yet they speak of their suffering and their misery, as though they were a part of the entire catastrophe. To outsiders looking in, this is so... hilarious.
I am not a callous person. But I believe to be believable and to be above board, you need to temper your willingness to help with good sense and good taste. Otherwise, your emotions are most ill-placed.
孩子快抓紧妈妈的手 (Child, quick grasp Mother's hand)
孩子快
抓紧妈妈的手
去天堂的路
太黑了
妈妈怕你
碰了头
快
抓紧妈妈的手
让妈妈陪你走
妈妈
怕
天堂的路
太黑
我看不见你的手
自从
倒塌的墙
把阳光夺走
我再也看不见
你柔情的眸
孩子
你走吧
前面的路
再也没有忧愁
没有读不完的课本
和爸爸的拳头
你要记住
我和爸爸的摸样
来生还要一起走
妈妈
别担忧
天堂的路有些挤
有很多同学朋友
我们说
不哭
哪一个人的妈妈都是我们的妈妈
哪一个孩子都是妈妈的孩子
没有我的日子
你把爱给活的孩子吧
妈妈
你别哭
泪光照亮不了
我们的路
让我们自己
慢慢的走
妈妈
我会记住你和爸爸的模样
记住我们的约定
来生我们一起走
Child, quickly grasp Mother’s hand
The road to heaven is turning dark and Mother’s afraid you’ll hurt yourself along the way.
Quick, grasp Mother’s hand
Let mother accompany you
To walk to heaven before it gets too dark and I not to be able to see your hand
Ever since the walls collapsed, I am no longer able to see again your thoughtful eyes
Go on, Child. There is no more misery in the road ahead, no more endless books and daddy's fist
I want you to remember Daddy and my looks
So that we can carry on our journey in our next life.
Mother, don’t worry. The road to heaven is a little crowded.
My friends and I have resolved not to cry
Each child’s mother is everyone’s Mother
Each mother’s child is every Mother’s child
In your days without me around, please give your love to all the other children
Mother, please don’t cry, for your tears will not light up our path to Heaven.
Let us find our way to complete our own journeys
Mother, I will remember Daddy and your looks
And remember our promise
So that we can carry on our journey in our next life.
抓紧妈妈的手
去天堂的路
太黑了
妈妈怕你
碰了头
快
抓紧妈妈的手
让妈妈陪你走
妈妈
怕
天堂的路
太黑
我看不见你的手
自从
倒塌的墙
把阳光夺走
我再也看不见
你柔情的眸
孩子
你走吧
前面的路
再也没有忧愁
没有读不完的课本
和爸爸的拳头
你要记住
我和爸爸的摸样
来生还要一起走
妈妈
别担忧
天堂的路有些挤
有很多同学朋友
我们说
不哭
哪一个人的妈妈都是我们的妈妈
哪一个孩子都是妈妈的孩子
没有我的日子
你把爱给活的孩子吧
妈妈
你别哭
泪光照亮不了
我们的路
让我们自己
慢慢的走
妈妈
我会记住你和爸爸的模样
记住我们的约定
来生我们一起走
Child, quickly grasp Mother’s hand
The road to heaven is turning dark and Mother’s afraid you’ll hurt yourself along the way.
Quick, grasp Mother’s hand
Let mother accompany you
To walk to heaven before it gets too dark and I not to be able to see your hand
Ever since the walls collapsed, I am no longer able to see again your thoughtful eyes
Go on, Child. There is no more misery in the road ahead, no more endless books and daddy's fist
I want you to remember Daddy and my looks
So that we can carry on our journey in our next life.
Mother, don’t worry. The road to heaven is a little crowded.
My friends and I have resolved not to cry
Each child’s mother is everyone’s Mother
Each mother’s child is every Mother’s child
In your days without me around, please give your love to all the other children
Mother, please don’t cry, for your tears will not light up our path to Heaven.
Let us find our way to complete our own journeys
Mother, I will remember Daddy and your looks
And remember our promise
So that we can carry on our journey in our next life.
Friday, May 30, 2008
妈妈别哭 (Mother, do not cry)
妈妈别哭，我现在已没有痛苦
不用再看我，你一辈子也会记住
地震来得那么唐突
没有什么可以遮护
幸存的同学真让人羡慕
那一刻，求生的愿望强烈却茫然无助
妈妈别哭，我不能陪你走今后的路
这么多人陪我我不会孤独
却担心你悲痛地泪流如注
我多么希望你能幸福
我多想长大了孝敬父母
我真的不想早走这一步
妈妈别哭，地震是大地在发怒
也许是它一时糊涂
才伤害了这么多无辜
我只是不幸中的一卒
还有更多的人惨不忍睹
泪水掀不起压我的混凝土
妈妈别哭，别再抱着我幼小的身躯
我已没有往日的温度
呼吸和心跳已经止住
请给我换上爱穿的衣服
拿来我爱读的书
假如天堂里还有学府
我会在梦中告诉你考试的分数
妈妈别哭，天灾人祸是对圣灵的荼毒
你柔弱的身躯无法挡住
只要妈妈你还活着
就是上天对我们的眷顾
因为有你，每年清明那小坟上，会多一锹土
Mother, do not cry. I am no longer in pain now
You will not need to look at me again to remember me for a lifetime
The earthquake came suddenly;
Nothing could shield us from its destruction
We really envy our schoolmates who survived
At that moment, the desire to fight for life was intense but alas, futile
Mother, do not cry. I cannot accompany you on life’s road any more
There are many people with me and I won’t be lonely
But I worry that sorrowfully tears flow endlessly
How I hope that you can be happy
How I want to grow up and be filial to you
I really do not want to leave this early
Mother, do not cry. The earthquake is but Earth’s anger
Perhaps it was muddled for a while
Not realizing how it wrought misfortune to that many
I was only one of the unfortunate ones;
There are more worse off than me
Your tears cannot raise the concrete slabs off me
Mother, do not cry. Do not hold my young body
I no longer have the warmth of the days past
Breaths and heartbeats have already stopped
Please put on my favourite clothes
And bring me my favourite books
If there is a school in the heaven
I will tell you my examination score in your dream
Mother, do not cry. Natural and man-made disasters are our tribulations
Which your delicate body is unable to block
So long as, Mother, you are also living
It is Heaven’s blessings on us
Because of you, at each All Souls, a new layer of soil will be added to our little graves
不用再看我，你一辈子也会记住
地震来得那么唐突
没有什么可以遮护
幸存的同学真让人羡慕
那一刻，求生的愿望强烈却茫然无助
妈妈别哭，我不能陪你走今后的路
这么多人陪我我不会孤独
却担心你悲痛地泪流如注
我多么希望你能幸福
我多想长大了孝敬父母
我真的不想早走这一步
妈妈别哭，地震是大地在发怒
也许是它一时糊涂
才伤害了这么多无辜
我只是不幸中的一卒
还有更多的人惨不忍睹
泪水掀不起压我的混凝土
妈妈别哭，别再抱着我幼小的身躯
我已没有往日的温度
呼吸和心跳已经止住
请给我换上爱穿的衣服
拿来我爱读的书
假如天堂里还有学府
我会在梦中告诉你考试的分数
妈妈别哭，天灾人祸是对圣灵的荼毒
你柔弱的身躯无法挡住
只要妈妈你还活着
就是上天对我们的眷顾
因为有你，每年清明那小坟上，会多一锹土
Mother, do not cry. I am no longer in pain now
You will not need to look at me again to remember me for a lifetime
The earthquake came suddenly;
Nothing could shield us from its destruction
We really envy our schoolmates who survived
At that moment, the desire to fight for life was intense but alas, futile
Mother, do not cry. I cannot accompany you on life’s road any more
There are many people with me and I won’t be lonely
But I worry that sorrowfully tears flow endlessly
How I hope that you can be happy
How I want to grow up and be filial to you
I really do not want to leave this early
Mother, do not cry. The earthquake is but Earth’s anger
Perhaps it was muddled for a while
Not realizing how it wrought misfortune to that many
I was only one of the unfortunate ones;
There are more worse off than me
Your tears cannot raise the concrete slabs off me
Mother, do not cry. Do not hold my young body
I no longer have the warmth of the days past
Breaths and heartbeats have already stopped
Please put on my favourite clothes
And bring me my favourite books
If there is a school in the heaven
I will tell you my examination score in your dream
Mother, do not cry. Natural and man-made disasters are our tribulations
Which your delicate body is unable to block
So long as, Mother, you are also living
It is Heaven’s blessings on us
Because of you, at each All Souls, a new layer of soil will be added to our little graves
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Why is it always money money money?
Why do we always give or get asked to donate money during disasters and crises?
Why not send school kids who need to chalk up community involvement hours for points over? We could give them a 10X multiplier bonus for going to ground zero.
Maybe this would help some no-hopers get an opportunity to at least submit a university application, since universities now (pretend to) look at applicants' holistic achivements.
I can just imagine the application essay:
I was a volunteer at Ground Zero of the Pacific Ocean Sea Bed earthquake which sent tsunamis to all sides of the Pacific, drowning all the coastal cities that ringed the ocean. I was bopping up and down the ocean trying to find survivors. I had to fish for squid and fish to keep myself alive. After it was decided that there were no human survivors of the quake in the ocean, I returned home. In recognition of my efforts, I have a million, billion, trillion, gazillion CIP points. I know the esteemed university gives great emphasis to applicants outside of their academic achievements and in this regard, dedicates 5% of the entry score to personal achievements in other areas. I hope my million, billion, trillion, gazillion CIP points will help in my application.
Although I am an average student in school (GPA 1.00), I am an all-rounder in other fields such as partying, boozing, puking, dancing, singing, bitching, volunteering, doing CIP... etc etc etc... I hope you could consider my application most favourably. I hope to hear from you soon.
Why not send school kids who need to chalk up community involvement hours for points over? We could give them a 10X multiplier bonus for going to ground zero.
Maybe this would help some no-hopers get an opportunity to at least submit a university application, since universities now (pretend to) look at applicants' holistic achivements.
I can just imagine the application essay:
I was a volunteer at Ground Zero of the Pacific Ocean Sea Bed earthquake which sent tsunamis to all sides of the Pacific, drowning all the coastal cities that ringed the ocean. I was bopping up and down the ocean trying to find survivors. I had to fish for squid and fish to keep myself alive. After it was decided that there were no human survivors of the quake in the ocean, I returned home. In recognition of my efforts, I have a million, billion, trillion, gazillion CIP points. I know the esteemed university gives great emphasis to applicants outside of their academic achievements and in this regard, dedicates 5% of the entry score to personal achievements in other areas. I hope my million, billion, trillion, gazillion CIP points will help in my application.
Although I am an average student in school (GPA 1.00), I am an all-rounder in other fields such as partying, boozing, puking, dancing, singing, bitching, volunteering, doing CIP... etc etc etc... I hope you could consider my application most favourably. I hope to hear from you soon.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Li Bai's Prediction
Somehow, I have the nagging feeling that the poem is fake. To be honest, I put that up despite not being able to corroborate that the poem actually exists.
Well, for the fun of it. I won't be held responsible for this, whether or not it is geunine.
True, however, was my giddiness which started three days before the actual Sichuan earthquake. And after the quake, I began to feel better.
I wonder why I am not that accurate about striking lottery for myself.
I mean, if I said, Al, Fraser, I have this weird feeling. I think you're going to win US$20 million this weekend. I wonder if Al and/or Fraser would go out and buy a ticket just for the fun of it because they read this. And I wonder what would happen if they really struck the lottery as I foretold.
I bet if Al and/or Fraser did buy and won, my blog would explode. I bet then that everyone would want me to name them for striking lottery...
Well, for the fun of it. I won't be held responsible for this, whether or not it is geunine.
True, however, was my giddiness which started three days before the actual Sichuan earthquake. And after the quake, I began to feel better.
I wonder why I am not that accurate about striking lottery for myself.
I mean, if I said, Al, Fraser, I have this weird feeling. I think you're going to win US$20 million this weekend. I wonder if Al and/or Fraser would go out and buy a ticket just for the fun of it because they read this. And I wonder what would happen if they really struck the lottery as I foretold.
I bet if Al and/or Fraser did buy and won, my blog would explode. I bet then that everyone would want me to name them for striking lottery...
China's Nostradamus - Poet Li Bai
1.25 snow disaster = disaster of the heavens
3.14 Tibetan independence = man-made disaster
5.12 earthquake = disaster of the lands
1+2+5=8
3+1+4=8
5+1+2=8
The Olympic Games 08.08.08 are away from for 88 days.
When it happened is a afternoon 2.18 point .8 suffix.
What happened is a 7.8 magnitude of earthquake .8 suffixes.
China has the superstition that 8 is a propitious digit. Actually when one reviews history, most inauspicious matters are related to the digit 8.
We thought frequently 8 means "prosperous" (or a direct translation means good tidings occur). However, what "tidings" have really occurred?
A Li Bai's actually foretold the happening in a poem he wrote:
The first words of the 4 verses read: Beijing Olympic Games
whereas the last words of the corresponding lines read: Sichuan earthquake.
- Bad English courtesy of BabelFish; decision to use the bad English is mine.
3.14 Tibetan independence = man-made disaster
5.12 earthquake = disaster of the lands
1+2+5=8
3+1+4=8
5+1+2=8
The Olympic Games 08.08.08 are away from for 88 days.
When it happened is a afternoon 2.18 point .8 suffix.
What happened is a 7.8 magnitude of earthquake .8 suffixes.
China has the superstition that 8 is a propitious digit. Actually when one reviews history, most inauspicious matters are related to the digit 8.
We thought frequently 8 means "prosperous" (or a direct translation means good tidings occur). However, what "tidings" have really occurred?
A Li Bai's actually foretold the happening in a poem he wrote:
The first words of the 4 verses read: Beijing Olympic Games
whereas the last words of the corresponding lines read: Sichuan earthquake.
- Bad English courtesy of BabelFish; decision to use the bad English is mine.
中国的诺斯特拉达姆士（Nostradamus)
1.25 雪灾=天灾
3.14 藏独=人祸
5.12 地震=地灾
1+2+5=8
3+1+4=8
5+1+2=8
奥运会 08.08.08 距离88天。
事发时间是下午2点18分，8后缀。
发的是7.8级地震，8后缀。
中国有迷信传统，说8是吉祥数字。
其实回顾历史，很多事情都和8有关，而且是不好的。
我们常常认为8是"发"，反问下，到底"发"出来的是什么。
李白的一首诗
北幕苍山兰州四，
京无落下缀清川；
奥年叶落缘分地，
运水微漾人却震。
李白早知道【北京奥运，四川地震】。
3.14 藏独=人祸
5.12 地震=地灾
1+2+5=8
3+1+4=8
5+1+2=8
奥运会 08.08.08 距离88天。
事发时间是下午2点18分，8后缀。
发的是7.8级地震，8后缀。
中国有迷信传统，说8是吉祥数字。
其实回顾历史，很多事情都和8有关，而且是不好的。
我们常常认为8是"发"，反问下，到底"发"出来的是什么。
李白的一首诗
北幕苍山兰州四，
京无落下缀清川；
奥年叶落缘分地，
运水微漾人却震。
李白早知道【北京奥运，四川地震】。
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Committing Suicide
I must, first and foremost, condemn the act of suicide as one of irresponsibility and cowardice. I do not condone the act, even the attempt to do so. - added 11 Jan 08
The irony is, those who always say they will go and commit suicide are the ones who are least likely to do so.
People always think that death or threatening another with death is the surest way of getting their way.
This is so juvenile.
Using death as a threat just to get your way is just a recipe for people to give in to you now, *then* look elsewhere for a replacement for you.
Trust me.
The most brilliant ones die quietly, leaving you to blame yourself for the rest of your living days for not letting them have their way.
Why not?
After note (added 11 Jan 08) - This is, of course, an act of the vengeful on those whom they wish to affect. One class of such people are the terrorists. Fortunately, the peoples have learnt to condemn such act instead of giving them sympathy, which was sporadically shown in past.
The irony is, those who always say they will go and commit suicide are the ones who are least likely to do so.
People always think that death or threatening another with death is the surest way of getting their way.
This is so juvenile.
Using death as a threat just to get your way is just a recipe for people to give in to you now, *then* look elsewhere for a replacement for you.
Trust me.
The most brilliant ones die quietly, leaving you to blame yourself for the rest of your living days for not letting them have their way.
Why not?
After note (added 11 Jan 08) - This is, of course, an act of the vengeful on those whom they wish to affect. One class of such people are the terrorists. Fortunately, the peoples have learnt to condemn such act instead of giving them sympathy, which was sporadically shown in past.
Friday, December 14, 2007
We will we will ROCK you...
Teens stone, kill singer
KAMPHAENG PHET :A cafe singer was killed by a 1.5kg rock thrown by two teenagers who flew into a rage at obscenities she shouted at them.
The attack took place fifteen minutes after midnight yesterday in front of Manida Cafe on Ratchadamnoen road in Muang district.
The victim was identified as Saowapa Phetlek, 20, nicknamed Bia.
Before the attack, Saowapa was sitting in front of the cafe when two teenage boys rode a motorcycle past shouting taunts at her.
In a fit of anger, the singer responded by screaming obscenities at them.
Ten minutes later, they returned and threw the 1.5kg rock which hit her chest very hard and made her lose consciousness.
She was immediately brought to Kamphaeng Phet hospital, but was pronounced dead around 2am.
Pathologists found a large bruise on her chest. They said the impact might have caused internal injuries, leading to her death.
(http://www.bangkokpost.com/131207_News/13Dec2007_news99.php)
Bizarre news one after another.
KAMPHAENG PHET :A cafe singer was killed by a 1.5kg rock thrown by two teenagers who flew into a rage at obscenities she shouted at them.
The attack took place fifteen minutes after midnight yesterday in front of Manida Cafe on Ratchadamnoen road in Muang district.
The victim was identified as Saowapa Phetlek, 20, nicknamed Bia.
Before the attack, Saowapa was sitting in front of the cafe when two teenage boys rode a motorcycle past shouting taunts at her.
In a fit of anger, the singer responded by screaming obscenities at them.
Ten minutes later, they returned and threw the 1.5kg rock which hit her chest very hard and made her lose consciousness.
She was immediately brought to Kamphaeng Phet hospital, but was pronounced dead around 2am.
Pathologists found a large bruise on her chest. They said the impact might have caused internal injuries, leading to her death.
(http://www.bangkokpost.com/131207_News/13Dec2007_news99.php)
Bizarre news one after another.
Can you believe this?
Two former employees of Mitsubishi Motors were found guilty of professional negligence Thursday in the death of a pedestrian crushed by a wheel falling off a truck later recalled by the Japanese automaker. (The Associated Press - 12/13/2007 6:36 AM)
I simply can't rid my head of the chorus of "Jesus Take The Wheel".
I simply can't rid my head of the chorus of "Jesus Take The Wheel".
Thursday, November 01, 2007
I think I found it
Last night, I saw ants, big ones, crawling out of a crack at the sink area.
The entire kitchen area had been given a good once-over and there is hardly any traces of food left, I bet. The ants were lethargic and I noticed a trail of them - sporadic ants in an Indian file about a feet and a half apart between them - but the trail was obvious. It must be the well-trodden path from nest to food.
I sprayed kitchen cleaning agent into the crack where I suspected the nest to be. Once the ammonia enriched stuff hit the hole, more ants, big ones, crawled out. They were rather dazed, from human perspective.
I quickly boiled a cup of water in the microwave - and I was also boiling a kettle of water - and then poured the boiling water over the hole, letting the boiling water seep into the hole. I then repeated with another cup of boiling water.
Then I gave that place a good clean with the kitchen cleaning agent. Yet, I still saw ants making their way back to the nest. I think it must be the nest. So I took the entire kettle of boiling water and slowly and methodically flushed the entire area once over, flushing away the cleaning agent and anything that is still stuck in between the cracks.
After the hot water evaporated, the entire sink area is bone dry. Ok, the last of the grease and grime are gone; if you wish, oil free. Still there is the ant trail on the wall. I had repeatedly squashed many ants on that trail during the time I flushed the sink area with hot water. Still, the ants came.
They must have come from the food area. I have not found the other end of the rainbow, I mean, ant trail and so I do not know where it ends. But once the nest is bust, I think we are close to complete annihilation.
I must think of a more permanent solution to get rid of these ants. I searched around for my ant bait. It was a long hard search but I did finally find four pellets of it. I cut one out and cut the pellet open. I feel so happy - funny I would not even feel the tiniest bit guilty for the massacre that I am about to commit - and carefully spread two parallel lines of bait on the tiles and left the pellet with the remainder in between them.
This morning, the ants were either asleep or asleep. I didn't see any of them crawling around.
I'll just wait and see. And I'll go get some ant chalk - wonderful stuff - to draw all around the house so that it is ant-proofed.
Meanwhile, I'll see if we can "silicon grout" the area. Thanks for the suggestion, Bob.
The entire kitchen area had been given a good once-over and there is hardly any traces of food left, I bet. The ants were lethargic and I noticed a trail of them - sporadic ants in an Indian file about a feet and a half apart between them - but the trail was obvious. It must be the well-trodden path from nest to food.
I sprayed kitchen cleaning agent into the crack where I suspected the nest to be. Once the ammonia enriched stuff hit the hole, more ants, big ones, crawled out. They were rather dazed, from human perspective.
I quickly boiled a cup of water in the microwave - and I was also boiling a kettle of water - and then poured the boiling water over the hole, letting the boiling water seep into the hole. I then repeated with another cup of boiling water.
Then I gave that place a good clean with the kitchen cleaning agent. Yet, I still saw ants making their way back to the nest. I think it must be the nest. So I took the entire kettle of boiling water and slowly and methodically flushed the entire area once over, flushing away the cleaning agent and anything that is still stuck in between the cracks.
After the hot water evaporated, the entire sink area is bone dry. Ok, the last of the grease and grime are gone; if you wish, oil free. Still there is the ant trail on the wall. I had repeatedly squashed many ants on that trail during the time I flushed the sink area with hot water. Still, the ants came.
They must have come from the food area. I have not found the other end of the rainbow, I mean, ant trail and so I do not know where it ends. But once the nest is bust, I think we are close to complete annihilation.
I must think of a more permanent solution to get rid of these ants. I searched around for my ant bait. It was a long hard search but I did finally find four pellets of it. I cut one out and cut the pellet open. I feel so happy - funny I would not even feel the tiniest bit guilty for the massacre that I am about to commit - and carefully spread two parallel lines of bait on the tiles and left the pellet with the remainder in between them.
This morning, the ants were either asleep or asleep. I didn't see any of them crawling around.
I'll just wait and see. And I'll go get some ant chalk - wonderful stuff - to draw all around the house so that it is ant-proofed.
Meanwhile, I'll see if we can "silicon grout" the area. Thanks for the suggestion, Bob.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
10 Things I Wish I Could Do
A little deja vu. Bear with me. Feeling a little Happy Tree Friend-ish today.
1. Spit gum on a woman's long tresses because she played with her hair and invaded my space by tossing out of her hair whatever she wanted remove.
2. Knock down pedestrains who insist on taking their own sweet time jaywalking right in front of my car when they should be using a designated crossing.
3. Kick away like a football...
4. Mow down with my shopping trolley...
5. Drop my bowl of piping hot soup on...
...unattended children who are allowed to run mindlessly into my path, giving me almost no reaction time.
6. Slap that bawling child and the parent - one for not knowing manners and the other for not teaching. Especially if the child was merely bawling to shame the parent or for attracting attention of the passers-by.
7. Pushing the idiot who would not walk to the side of the stairs leading up or down an overhead bridge crossing, especially when my bus is nearly arriving on at the bus stop at the other side of the crossing. (The hand railings are on the sides, so by walking in the centre, the idiot is blocking the entire stairway which is wide enough for two-way human traffic.) A more general version of this wish is to push anyone who occupies more than one "lane" for no good reason when walking.
8. Lock smokers in a fully enclosed room and force them to inhale all the smoke they exhale as well that produced by their cigarette until the air is clear again before letting them out. Fresh air will be provided to ensure that the smokers die of cigarette-related causes and not asphyxiation.
On a related note, I shall not belabour my point about the filterless cigarettes although I have a new idea where legislation should be made such that each cigarette is to be consumed within one inhalation. If a stronger fix is needed, smokers can take a second or a third fag. However, I still insist that the fumes must dissolve within the smokers' bodies and there should be no second-hand smoke.
Amazingly, I feel better already. So the 10 second rule to curb the temper does not really help but verbalising evil thoughts of genocide or gene pool refinements do!
1. Spit gum on a woman's long tresses because she played with her hair and invaded my space by tossing out of her hair whatever she wanted remove.
2. Knock down pedestrains who insist on taking their own sweet time jaywalking right in front of my car when they should be using a designated crossing.
3. Kick away like a football...
4. Mow down with my shopping trolley...
5. Drop my bowl of piping hot soup on...
...unattended children who are allowed to run mindlessly into my path, giving me almost no reaction time.
6. Slap that bawling child and the parent - one for not knowing manners and the other for not teaching. Especially if the child was merely bawling to shame the parent or for attracting attention of the passers-by.
7. Pushing the idiot who would not walk to the side of the stairs leading up or down an overhead bridge crossing, especially when my bus is nearly arriving on at the bus stop at the other side of the crossing. (The hand railings are on the sides, so by walking in the centre, the idiot is blocking the entire stairway which is wide enough for two-way human traffic.) A more general version of this wish is to push anyone who occupies more than one "lane" for no good reason when walking.
8. Lock smokers in a fully enclosed room and force them to inhale all the smoke they exhale as well that produced by their cigarette until the air is clear again before letting them out. Fresh air will be provided to ensure that the smokers die of cigarette-related causes and not asphyxiation.
On a related note, I shall not belabour my point about the filterless cigarettes although I have a new idea where legislation should be made such that each cigarette is to be consumed within one inhalation. If a stronger fix is needed, smokers can take a second or a third fag. However, I still insist that the fumes must dissolve within the smokers' bodies and there should be no second-hand smoke.
Amazingly, I feel better already. So the 10 second rule to curb the temper does not really help but verbalising evil thoughts of genocide or gene pool refinements do!
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