Of Devils and Zoos

I am very pleased with myself over the past few days. Somewhat.

Because I am getting a bit sick of k-dramas and tired of all-round boozing, I've managed to find that little bit of energy to expend in doing things I used to enjoy.

Like? Like hanging around in Borders and fantasizing about that humongous bookcase I'd like to brag about. I couldn't resist the temptation. After pacifying myself that I haven't really spent any on books recently, I trotted home with not one but two new titles. Time to read myself to sleep, and not fall asleep in the middle of episode don't-know-what.

And also, like catching my devils live in action over magnums at Ice Cold, with none other than my chick next to me. I thought I got high, crapping and cursing and cheering over just a couple of beers. Then, I realized the four-nothing thrashing was the one that got me high instead. You go, boys.

And then, the most satisfying of all, a long-overdue day trip just for Gu-gu and the little man. We beat the rain, but had to tackle the sun. We made it to the zoo, finally.



The little man with big shoes to fill.

Even though there was some expected miscommunication (read: we two kenna 'dua') at the beginning, it was all good. If the little one could express his thoughts coherently, I know he would've given me a big hug and a wet slurpy kiss on the lips, topping it off with a "Thank you, Gu-gu... I love you much!"

=) Fantasies.


Oh. And of course. There were the regular wines and beers, and nowadays Guiness drafts. With folks I like these days.

But it is all balanced out.

My Man

Singer. Songwriter. Actor. Golden Horse Award winner. Director-wannabe. B-baller. Magician. Mama's boy. Granny's boy. Joker. Buddy.

And now... Shoe designer.

And mind you, it's not just any shoe.





Tell me... just tell me how to not love this boy???


I am soooooo going Taipei.

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This is for real.

Ping me.

Flattered

The Starbucks boy I met every morning and afternoon while I was last in Hong Kong for a week-long meeting, who insisted on serving me everytime and who eventually succeeded in getting my email address, is coming to see me.


20:02:54 You're Beautiful Je t' aime: hihi
20:02:54 You're Beautiful Je t' aime: i will go to singapore
20:04:55 ME Inc.: hello!
20:05:01 ME Inc.: wow... really? when?
20:05:07 ME Inc.: thought u're gg india??
20:05:39 You're Beautiful Je t' aime: yeh.
20:06:01 You're Beautiful Je t' aime: i will stay in singapore few hours only.
20:06:02 You're Beautiful Je t' aime: i want go to see you..
20:06:37 ME Inc.: oh? transit only?
20:06:46 You're Beautiful Je t' aime: but i cant see u online b4... i want go to visit u and go around singapore b4...
20:09:11 You're Beautiful Je t' aime: so bad...
20:13:46 You're Beautiful Je t' aime: Dont worry, i will be back...


Wow.

Dognana

Sunday afternoon, I was playing dognana. A post-rain, still-hazy, sunless afternoon at Tanjong. The beach was very nicely empty, 'cept for the posers 'chilling out' at the beach bar. It was just perfect for us, me and Sam had good deal of fun.

Sam. I am going to ask his momma if I could be his godmomma. I can forget about all the hair shed all over my backseat. No problemo.

I haven't felt this quiet peace and happiness for a while. I have almost forgotten how much joy dogs bring me.

And so, it's got me started on something I could possibly try out. Dognana.

Hmmm...

*****

The past couple of weeks or so have been just quiet and anonymous. Eventful, yet not that eventful. With a chunk of unplanned for nostalgia.

Things that I haven't done for quite a while, and that have recently made me realized how good they used to make me feel and how much I actually do miss them.


I drove to places I haven't been back to since... since a while ago. They unfortunately reminded me of those times I have so wanted to remove from my memory, yet they also reminded me how much I enjoy the thrill of adventure and exploration. I never fail to get a kick out of amazing people (especially men) with my topological knowledge of the island. I especially love it when I am usually the one who finds the quickest route from point A to B.

I really miss driving around, although sometimes aimlessly. Question now is, do I really need a kaki for this?


I am also back to the running and the swimming. A little easier on the knee, though I suspect it's cranking up the neck and shoulders.

And I've been good at keeping up with the plan. No, I am not fat. But there're a few pounds and inches I could do without because I can't even squeeze into my jeans now and I don't have nothing much left to wear. Which is a bummer, because I really don't feel like spending money on new clothes. Which is devastating, because I fucking miss shopping.


I am back at the movies.

And I am also back at Ice Cold.

Both of which could possibly cause the onslaught of some undesired problems. That I really, really don't wish to be bogged down with.

No, not at this point in time.

Fuck.

*****

"Maybe you need a change in social scenery."

Yeah, maybe. But how?

先苦后甜

Is there anything in this world possibly more painful than heartache?

Probably 推拿, yes.

Well, for one, both made me tear. So far-ar-ar-king painful, I actually teared on the stringy towel draped over the massage bed that has threatened an outbreak of 1,000 blemishes on my face.

I can only thank the damned k-dramas and my bunk-in little man for the pain that led to the ultimate pain.


The funny, and unexpectedly sweet, thing about 推拿 is that after the few moments of intense pain comes a relaxing sooth that surges over your entire body. From the neck all the way down to the legs.

I grit my teeth, I let loose a few tears, and then I feel a brand-new me.

After the initial cussing, my fifty bucks were well-spent after all. I deserved the pain, and I sure deserve the pleasure afterward. I think I am beginning to fall in love with 推拿.


Should I then apply the same logic to heartache? Should I assume pain in any instance only brings on happiness thereafter?

If only love could be bought. With a mere fifty bucks.

*****

In times like this, I always get reminded of how fortunate I am to have friends like the ones I have.

19:21:26 ME Inc.: is it a good monday for u babe?
19:31:03 delilah: hi there
19:31:08 delilah: its ok, how was it for you?
19:31:40 ME Inc.: terrible... i was so tired with a bad back/shoulder/neck
19:31:55 ME Inc.: my nephew has been sleeping on my bed for the past couple of days thats y
19:32:03 ME Inc.: just went for a tui na session that killed me
19:39:01 delilah: oh no
19:39:03 delilah: you come my house sleep
19:39:06 delilah: i got extra bed
19:39:07 ME Inc.: eh?
19:39:09 ME Inc.: oh
19:39:13 ME Inc.: sigh
19:39:16 delilah: really
19:39:32 ME Inc.: maybe i need to invest in a good pillow, no?
19:39:32 delilah: oh you wan sleep my bed, I sleep my sister's. she damn long no come home wan
19:39:48 ME Inc.: =) thanks babe...


And it reminded me. This wasn't the first offer of a bed to me.

Dude, thanks. I remember.

I give umbrella. You give bed. =)

Orh Kong

Ahem.

Because I am the nice samaritan that I am, here goes.

*****
Price increase without further notice.

Speeding:
Exceeding 1 - 20km/h = $130 + 4 demerit points.
Exceeding 21 - 30km/h = $150 + 6 demerit points.
Exceeding 31 - 40km/h = $180 + 8 demerit points.
Exceeding 41 - 50km/h = >$200 + 12 demerit points + Court.
Exceeding 51 - 60km/h = >$200 + 18 demerit points + Court.
Exceeding >61km/h = >$200 + 24 demerit points + Court.

If you want to be hero and fight the court case yourself, and you lose, you pay the court charges yourself, which will add up to your fine. I guess the court charges is at least $200 and above.

Careless driving = $150 + 6 demerit Points
Inconsiderate Driving = $170 + 9 Demerit Points + Court
Dangerous Driving = >$200 + 24 Demerit Points + Court + Vehicle Compounded
Illegal Racing = >$200 + Vehicle Confiscate + Court
Fail to put Seat Belt = $120 + 3 demerit points
Crossing Double White lines = $130 + 4 points
Phone and Drive = $200 + 12 demerit point + Phone Confiscate
Do not hold your hp in your hand when you drive even with loud speaker or ear piece.

Drink Driving
For first offence = Up to $5000 Fine And, or jail Term + License Suspended + Court
2nd time offence = Jail term + Fine + Court.

Making an illegal U Turn when there's no U Turn sign = $70.
Fail to Signal when changing lanes = $70.
Driving at night without headlights or taillights switch on after 7pm = $30.

No Number Plate = $70.
Obstructed Number Plate = $70.
Obscured Number Plate = $70.
Number Plate Of Unapproved Type = $70.

As for Demerit Point system:
Let's say you have 0 points on 1st January 2005, and you committed The offence of Failing to Put on Seat Belt. So now, you will have 3 demerit points and this will last for 1 Year. If during this 1 year you have no demerit points offence at all, your 3 demerit points will be gone on 1/1/2006. But, if during this one year, From 1/1/2005 - 1/1/2006, you committed
Another offence with demerit points, your very first offence will be extended for another year until 1/1/2007.

Courtesy of Miss Tan.

*****

I think I should just sell that blody car, no?

Forever Lost

I feel apologetic.

Thousands of apologies. Millions, in fact.

To all those dear to me who have sent me birthday well-wishes on my cell-phone, I truly sincerely desperately offer my deepest heart-felt apologies. I have not seen any of your sweet messages.

I fucking lost my precious phone. Just on that very night before.

And especially to the giver of the precious phone... gazillions of apologies.


I no longer really wish to talk about that stupid fateful night.

I lost my phone. And a little bit more.

'Nuff said. *Humph*

La La La La La...

Things that make me go hmmm...

hi,
i am really glad to see the videos on the 8th akf that you posted on youtube. i was there live for all the 3 days. japanese were great, weren't they?

if possible, please keep these great videos coming up. appreciated.

cheerio

... and then, a big fat smile. =)

Four Birthdays And A Funeral

And many, many sleepless nights.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my eternal love and gratitude to my Sasy chick who opened my now-panda-like eyes to the beautiful world of... k-dramas.

Yes, Korean dramas. Those sappy-soppy weepy dramas with too-good-to-be-real male-lover specimens who will love you to their literal deaths (or yours too, for that matter). Awww.

I've made quite a feat myself as well. Five dramas in just two weeks - complete to the very last weepy-teary episode. I know.

I think I am going up the road called Crazy again. Or, perhaps this time I should take a turn up Delusional instead.


Sometimes, I really doubt myself, my existence.

I no longer know the planet where I come from. I recognize the planet where I live in, but I don't know the one where I come from.


I've made a startling discovery of late.

That the last weeks of September turning into early October are indeed calamitous.

Four birthdays (read: four crazy nights) have already gone by. Two more to go, one of which belongs to the Crazy Delusional One. =/

Don't know why. Just can't find myself to smile.


The party starts today. Or maybe only today.

I am so gonna torture the chicks with an all-Jay concert at Party World. I don't care.

It's my party, and I'll sing Jay if I want to.

And then... the bottles will hit me. And maybe the mambo bug will bite too. Whatever. I have only one last year in the damned twenties.


I remember, in a past not too long ago, I used to be Queen this time of the year.

And suddenly, I remember too, in a past very long ago, I was Baby Cheng 365 days of the year.

How more delusional can life get?

At some point in time, you can be something to someone, anything to anyone, everything to everyone. But at the end of it all, you realize you can only be one thing, and only to yourself.

And nothing else really matters.


Damn.

I can feel the wires tangling up in the brains.

I think I need to get back to the k-dramas.

Pardon the silence, if there's any. I think I might have forgotten how to write.

In Memory of Michael...

I'd always loved this picture.

I'd always thought the three of us dudes here were one of your bestest friends in the team. I just know. Because, despite what the others might've said of you, we loved you for who you really were - not what you did or did not do. We loved you when you acted the diva, but we didn't love you less when you didn't do your numbers well.

I'd always known it hadn't been the easiest, nor greatest, of times for you in the team - and I thought for that, you reciprocated our friendship by giving us your vulnerable, yet utmost trust.

But today, a dark gloomy today, I feel worse than the weather. Had I betrayed your trust, by not being the friend you'd trusted me to be?

There are plenty words of regrets stuck in my throat, and in my mind.

I am sorry I hadn't been attentive to you, like I used to be, in the last few weeks of my stay. Just because I had woes of my own, I neglected a friend who needed my ear and my words - more than I needed them.

I am sorry I hadn't shown you more love than I did, I'm sorry I did nothing much to make you feel more at ease with the whole family.

But - I am happy. That you told me, just before I left, you were getting happier at work. That you were loving the team more. That you were finally feeling comfortable with the whole big family.

And, most of all, you're a son of God. And I am happiest that while I will never see you again, I know at least, you're safely tucked in His arms.


It hadn't been easy being who you were, I suppose. Coming out in front of us must've been a tough one.

But you know what, darling? It wasn't such a big deal, after all.

My darling Michael, I'll always remember how you cooed "my daarling" whenever you saw me. It's such a pity - you'd never been able to see those flutters in my heart.


If there's one last regret I have to say, it's that I wished I had gone back to the office much earlier from lunch last Friday.

I would have seen you before you left for the airport. And given you a last big bear hug.


Thank you, Michael, for being my friend.

Thank you for allowing me to be your friend.

Thank you for giving me now one of the best lessons in life.

I love, and will always miss you.


For now, I just wanna take a good walk in the rain outside.

Six

Go Piper, it's your birthday.
We're gonna party now, it's your birthday.

Wait a minute... Did I also sing this song for my baby last year? Er...


My little girl turns six today. And that is also the same number of years that have gone past since we met each other. Since the day I first saw her 'swimming' on the ceramic-tiled floor, eyes barely open yet.

Six good years since the day I went home with all of the tiny four-legged furry baby in my one girly palm.

There are just some things in life you'll never, ever forget.


Pipe's looking better and better by the day now. Her once-red skin is slowly regaining the healthful light-pinkish tinge.

Right. Just for this big day, Mommy's gonna remove that awful-looking Victorian collar that's making you look like some weird flower.




That's the house-police dog with the birthday ang pow from her Ah Ma. =)




May you have only happier days to come, baby.

Momsy wuff wuff wuff wuff you.

"All You Have Is Today..."

Somewhere along the way, I lost myself. I think.

I don't, sometimes, recognize me. Not, at least, some part of the-now me.

Oh. What a major revelation.


I miss me.


Ah well. Tomorrow will be a nicer day. *Paws crossed*

Crashing

I see I'm being sporadic again, but I also feel like I have a million little words, all stuck right there at the larynx.

If I have one-thousand-and-one programs running simultaneously in my hard-disk, I think nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine of them are causing me to hang - and possibly crash soon too.

But ah, you know me.

If I am this quiet, you'd know I'm doing that much thinking.

Talk soon. Real soon.

... And I Hate YouTube Too

Oh, oh, oh. And that thing called YouTube.

I love, yet so much hate hate hate you too. =/

I Love You, But I Hate You Too

Me and that thing called Technology. It's been a roller-coaster, love-hate affair.

One minute, I declare to the whole wide world it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. The next, I'm cussing and swearing it to death.

My cell-phone, in particular, had been a long-standing heartache. Until the day I got the new toy. And then, the heartache set in when I somehow lost the stylus. Ah, hate. And then, someone I bumped into gave me a brand new one. L-o-v-e.

I've been using my P-Book without a battery pack for the past two weeks - hate. I am waiting for a brand-new one, which is pretty timely since my original battery had been running flat-out within an hour but the waiting kinda sucks 'cos I still have about another two more weeks to go. Ok, a teeny bit of love there.

My iPod, barely a year old, just decided to stop working and hang on me one fine day. Which caused me major duress, since fixing an MP3 player is like the least favored priority in my life now. Quite some hate. The Apple folks were sweet enough to declare it a 'hard-disk failure' and replace me with a brand-new one - free-of-charge - within the next few days. Oh, trust me, there was a lot of love.

Just about three days ago, I was struck with the latest blow. A major one. I lost some sleep to nightmares for two nights.

My P-Book creaked and clicked, and just died on me. And I was no tech-paramedic. The once-sweet-turned-sour Applets took one look, and dropped the bomb: I think your hard-disk is going to crash very soon, you'd better do some back-up on your files before you decide if you want to send it in for diagnosis.

And how long will it take for diagnosis and repair? (Read: And how long am I going to live without a computer?!)

Oh, at least five working days, ma'am.

Hate. HATE. H-A-T-E.

Sometimes, you just don't realize how much you need someone - until you've lost him, or her.

The same goes for a computer. Or at least, mine, I think. I call it my 'livelihood', my life-line, now.

I fell into a daze the same night, and for pretty much the whole of the next day. Until I made a painful decision. That is, to make a lone trip to Sim Lim and get me my own external hard-disk drive. Back-up, and then repair. Fuck it.

I had to ask questions like a real techo-idiot. Because I am. And no one at Sim Lim seems to tolerate one, not especially a female one.

Why must I buy the hard-disk and the casing separately? Why is the casing so expensive?! What's the difference between the big-big and the small-small one? Got any difference between brands? Got warranty? What if my back-up disk fails? How do I set it up? How? How? HOW?

But I suppose the seemingly daunting trip didn't turn out as hellish. I think I must've walked into the right store. Either that, or I must've employed the right tactic.

When you're an idiot, don't act like one, not especially a female one. Just flash a wide-toothed grin and play the damsel-in-distress. Well, I was really in distress, anyway.

Then, just go all out and boost the ego of the salesman (yes, please choose a man if you don't desire rolling eyes from bitchy female sales assistants). You will only make him feel like he knows everything (about computer hardware, anyway), much more than you do. Like he's the hero who puts you out of misery in your life - albeit just for that few short moments.

In reality, after the role-playing was done, I felt more like I was some auntie being conned by some supermarket mushroom-frying salesman at the frozen foods department. I didn't need a freakin' 160-giga disk, but I bought one anyway. Simply because of some quick 'rational' calculation in the head: a 160-giga disk for 165 bucks, which makes it 1-giga for 1 buck. Why the hell not?!

And of course, I was sweet-talked to (read: 'conned'). Need you ask?

The damsel insisted - politely - that the hero assembled and formatted the disk on her behalf. Upon some further cajoling, the hero offered some little troubleshooting of the computer, and then some valiant advice: I don't think there's anything wrong with your hard-disk because if it was dying, it would've just died on you. Period. I think it could just be an overheating problem. If I were you, I wouldn't repair anything till something happens - since you have back-up now. Just get some fans too.

Oh.

Anyhow, back-up is always good. I didn't spend 165 bucks on nothing. I think I just saved myself hundreds more.

Love.

Or at least till the hero proves me wrong. Terribly wrong.

Paws crossed...

i-AmSam?

What if, today, I said I would like to get me an English name? Some silly English name, just like every other person, that no one will ever have the excuse of not remembering again?

I'm pretty sure 'Fatmama' will do the trick. But no way?

"You cannot do girly names. You need something more tomboy." The chicks said. Basket.

So, Wendy's out. (But I'd really like to be Wendy... so my Peter Pan will come flying to me one day.)

Well... maybe, Jude. (Because I am what... hahaha.)

My chicks finally settled on Samantha - yes, on my behalf.

"Mmm... we can imagine ourselves calling you 'Sam' for short. Sam! Sam! Sam!"

Er... why am I not convinced?

Pictures That Breathe Soul

Oh boy! My one-week-long stress was pretty worth it, after all.

My new 'boss' Les likes my material, almost as much as I love his pictures.


Go take a look at our new project at Soulbreath Pictures.


More to come. Soon... I promise. =)

i-Obsess

"I am sick... very very sick."

[2006/09/02 08:49:30] sasyz said: morn
[2006/09/02 08:49:32] sasyz said: so early ya
[2006/09/02 08:49:37] ME Inc. said: ya... haha
[2006/09/02 08:50:21] sasyz said: what u obsess with
[2006/09/02 08:50:54] ME Inc. said: er... u know one
[2006/09/02 08:50:59] sasyz said: har
[2006/09/02 08:51:06] sasyz said: again.... thot it went away
[2006/09/02 08:51:14] ME Inc. said: i thought so too!
[2006/09/02 08:51:17] sasyz said: obsessive compulsion
[2006/09/02 08:51:26] ME Inc. said: er..
[2006/09/02 08:51:43] sasyz said: cos i think it transcends beyond mere obsession already
[2006/09/02 08:51:59] sasyz said: chinese we say zou huo ru mo
[2006/09/02 08:52:10] sasyz said: walk fire into devil
[2006/09/02 08:52:12] sasyz said: haha
[2006/09/02 08:52:22] ME Inc. said: not funny leh... how??
[2006/09/02 08:52:32] sasyz said: not intended to be funny
[2006/09/02 08:52:36] sasyz said: so no need how.

Erm...

Before I forget about him.


*Photo sweetly contributed to my memory by Les =)

Choda Shigehiro.