Retirement Plans

Been looking very far into the future these days, perhaps its a sign of getting older? I dream of many things to come: graduation, a stable job, marriage, kids etc...

I have even dreamt about my retirement plans, (paint yourself a picture) here's how it sounds: I'd live by the beach in a small modest house whom can accomodate my 6 kids, 2 dogs, my wife and myself. Every morning, I would take my fishing boat to sea; late in the evening, I would bring the catch of the day back. My wife will prepare dinner while I drink hot green tea at the deck, watching my 6 kids playing "pepsi-cola" on the beach. We put our kids to bed, then take a long walk by the beach, have a moment of peace for ourselves. We would take our dogs for a stroll, holding hand in hand, gently humming tunes from our younger days. We finally find our favorite spot under a coconut tree and sit down. With my wife in my close embrace, we would look at the stars and listen to the crashing waves of the ocean, while our dogs wander around playing in the shallow sea water. She would then fall asleep on my arms, and I would then carry her back home, and tuck her in bed, before collapsing beside her. I would watch her adorable pretty face till' I fall asleep soundly as well, as the lil' candle by our bedside slowly burns itself out...

Deep stuff eh? I'm definately feeling my age. =P

And the Award Goes to...

I have made up my mind. I have chosen my one and only favorite car. The winner goes to... *drum roll* the Ford Mustang Eleanor 1967! *audience applause*

My reason for choosing this car was simple. I want a car that represents me. The Ford Mustang Eleanor 1967 is like me: unique in its own way but not too flashy, vintage classiness yet strong and powerful. Everyone will notice its presence, "wow, look at that car!" Yet, its mysterious in its own way, "what car is it? i have never seen one before!" Everywhere it goes, it brings with it a cool retro feel with it. (see picture below)

Truely, its an amazing and wonderful car... No... Its not just a car... its... The Ford Mustang Eleanor 1967!

My Ride (At Least in My Dreams)

Chatting among male friends, it's inevitable that the topic of "what's your dream car" pops up frequently. I actually gave it some thought, but I just couldn't make up my mind on a single car. It is obvious, different lifestyles will lead to the difference in my choices of cars. So lets just say: I'm your average person whom can afford cars of a wide price range, these would be the nominees:

If I turned out to be an archaeologist or some ancient historian whom travels around many places of rough terrain, I would definately go for a 4x4. My modest choice would be the Suzuki Jimny with fitted kangaroo bars behind. If I fancy being different and travel with style, then a Hummer H2 would be the *bling bling* choice. To go all crazy and just be fun and cool, then the Jeep Hurricane would be ideal. By the way, did you know the Cobra Hurricane could turn all 4 of its wheels inwards so it could actually spin on the same spot? (see picture below) Cool eh?

If I ended up getting married, settling down with a boring white collar job, raising 6 kids and 2 dogs, then I need a bigger car. I don't fancy those gigantic MPVs - have been driving one since getting my licence: not the most user friendly car when it comes to parking. I prefer SUVs or just normal saloon cars. Something like a BMW 5 series would be nice, or a Toyota Harrier perhaps. I might be a father chauffering my kids around, but I make it clear that I chauffer around... With style.

If I let my wild and notty side run lose: I would end up racing in the streets with my modified car. When it comes to racing, no other car beats the Mitsubishi Evolution VIII, somemore must be yellow colour! In contrast with that would be the smooth and cool Nissan 350Z. What a beauty!

Finally, comes to the sports car part! Now this is bizzare - I don't really fancie driving a Ferrari or a Porche. I have developed a passion for vintage muscle cars. They're pricey because they are rare: mostly out of production. Still, they're classy, powerful have their own unique touch of style. If someone knows where I can find a Ford Mustang Eleanor, please tell me. This is the same car used in the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds", driven by Nicholas Cage. Another favorite is a remake but looks great anyhow: the Ford GT40 Tungsten, which comes with compulsory "go faster" racing stripes through the middle of the body of the car. Mmm... Sexy...

No harm dreaming right? =P

Sight & Sounds on My Way Back from Work

Although the Japanese restaurant I work in is only 5 mins walk from my flat, its amzing what I encounter on my way back. The things you see; the things you hear. Today, it was a rather eventful journey back, which made me think alot.

Let me set the scene: It's 1am on a friday night. Restaurant closed late due to irritating customers whom refused to budge from their seats. It's the beggining of a long weekend, and the nights are unusually rowdy. Drunk men and women shouting and trodding up and down the streets can be heard. I stand outside the restaurant, locked the main door, ready to make a move. Now here is where the story starts. My 3 bizarre encounters.

1st encounter: Just after I locked the doors, a drunk women came up to me and asked for directions to the trains station. I pointed to the left as she stumbles and tries to balance herself. 20 secs later, I see her trodding down in the arms of a total stranger towards my right. I overheard words which resembled "let me take you home... I can make you feel better..." What is going on? I might be wrong, but just stop and think what could be happening before making a judgement.

2nd encounter: Walked pass an elderly couple (looks sober to me). They were at their 50's I think. The man was having a really bad temper and the lady (presumably the wife), kept quiet. Just as they walked passed me, this man started shouting at her using all the most foul and vulgar language that made hokkien sound like baby talk. Then, this man slapped her across the face. This lady, just kept quiet and walked on with him. The conversation I overheared sounded like "what the hell are we doing here then?" Obviously, it was much more spiced up with X-rated stuff than that.

3rd encounter: Walked pass a bar and saw this teenage girl, all dressed up to impress, drunk, sitting on the side of the streets, crying hysterically. She looked like a wreck, sitting with her legs open wide, mascara running down her cheeks, talking so loud as if she owned the streets. She was shouting "he just told me to piss off and left me here, I can't believe he is such a jerk..."

As I walk the remaining 2mins of my journey, I thought to myself. Is the world running out of love? In the words of Black Eyed Peas - "Where is the love?"

Feeling Like Shit

Arrrggghhh!!! Why must I fall sick just before my term begins?

Actually, come to think of it... It's partly my fault also. Developed a mild uncomfortable throat 3 days ago, but ate pizza. Sore throat developed 2 days ago, but I still had fried stuff in Tai Wu Chinese Restaurant. Throat starts to hurt and burn yesterday, and even so (this is the most stupid of all), I ate spicy crushed dried chillies with my pizza at Costco. NOT a very smart idea isn't it?

Now I'm sitting here, throat burning like hell, head as heavy as an anvil, nose blocked up like the sewage pipes. The feeling of trapped vacuum inside my head due to the cold is... Simply unbearable. Tears would flow out of my eyes uncontrollably, nose running like Niagara Falls and a brain that's as good as dead.

It's times like these, even the hardest and toughest macho man, breaks down and seek for comfort. Some just want to be like babies once again and crawl back into their mother's arms.

As for me, I just wish to be pampered. I wanna lie down on a pair of nice soft tighs slowly dozing away, as a pair of gentle hands touch and feel my face; run fingers through my hair. Once in a while, a soothing tune is hummed beside my ears and the occasional soft and tender kiss.

Oh well, being 20 years old and a man, I suppose its not really in my position to ask for these kind of stuff anymore. However, I know where I can get some when I desperately need some! *WINK WINK* It's corny but rather sweet if I may say so myself. =P

Disappeared? Nope... Just Been Indiana Jones'ing for 2 Weeks

Guess where have I been getting all muddy for the last 2 weeks? I have taken part in a international standard, joint venture, porfessional project of excavating (you ready for this...) near the Stonehenge! Yes, THE Stonehenge, as in the one in the picture.

Being the archaeologist that I am, we camped for 2 weeks straight at the camp site, living on just horrid meals and a tent over our heads (thank God it was waterproof and could withstand the gusty winds!) During the day, its a scary 10 hour dig everyday in a whole about 4m deep. In the night, its so pitch black, there is nothing you can do really - unless u have an ample supply of batteries with you.

Besides the usual suspects: bored, tired and blurry all the time, the rest of the excavations were great! Will put some pictures up when I get a copy of them from my friends.

PS: A great tip for campers - do NOT attempt to fart in your tent while sleeping... Lets just say it redefines the word "suffocation" and "gas chamber". (Yes, I do speak from personal experience, unfortunately, and live to tell the story.)

Unmasking the Jester

THE JESTER'S MIRROR

The king awaits patiently. It has been 10 minutes since he summoned his favorite court jester. The king is not in a very good mood today, but he knows: his favorite court jester would make all the difference. His court jester, the one whom will always make him laugh, always care free, always so pure and innocent.

The horn blows and the door opens wide. A lone jester walks in, dressed in gold with green and purple coloured costume. He hops and he leaps; he jumps and he dives. The king laughes uncontrolably. After being satisfied, the king dismisses his jester.

The jester walks up the long flight of stairs, up to the highest room in the tower. He locks the door behind him and sits in front of the dressing table. Then slowly, as if all the energy has been drained from his body, he lost the liveliness and jolliness, faltering more and more as he stares into the mirror. Then, he carefully removes his mask. As the hat slids of his head, the neatly tied hair beneath the hat rolls down like the wave and rests silently on his shoulders. His face expression, nothing similar of that of the happy mask - is a tired, sad and painful one.

For many years, no one has suspected the jester was a lady. She places her mask on the dressing table. Her eyes began to overflow with sadness and soon, teardrops; like pearls, came running down her cheeks. Her tears smudges the powder on her face, as if only her tears were pure enough to wipe away the false expression on her face. Every night, the lady, not able to find love and hapiness in her life, falls asleep on her dressing table, face soaked full of unhappy tears. It was only until the next morning where she wakes up and face the painful reality and cleans her face, wiping away the tear marks left form the night before. Every evening, she would again, powder her face to hide her emotion. Jesters, they do not show emotions - they cannot show emotion, not even when they are alone. She would then puts on her happy mask, awaiting for the king to summond her once again.

The only witness to her lonliness and sadness, is her mirror. The mirror sees her unmasking every night, her tears, her cries. It sees her putting on the mask every evening, hiding her true feelings and expression behind the cold and unforgiving mask. The mirror is the only one, whom sees the life of the jester, beneath the mask.

This is the story, of the unmasking of the jester; the jester behind the mask. I am, but one fortunate soul, able to witness the secret of true beauty of the jester behind the mask. Although I am trapped within the mirror, but at least I know - I would always be here when the jester removes her mask.

Chungy
(dedicated to the jester herself.)