Are you desperate for an ounce of reality here? Slowly driven mad by the fact that I never post anything 'realistic' (ie what's going on in my life), or really, anything but the progenies of my (slightly mental) head?
Well, I'll deliver a slight relief to that, though I don't promise pictures, or anything interesting, really.
Written a lot, physically, today (so much so that a part of my right hand hurts and I had to make myself stop, because man, this ceaseless writing can be addictive. They're only law notes, but can they put you in a trance-like state). So technically, I've did a lot of work. Trying to make everything fit snugly, so they'll have a degree of permanence there. Please stay, kindly knowledge. I'll try to treat you well, dust you sometimes, and always use you benevolently.
Facebook is decent enough to permit the introduction of two avenues of actual activity, too. (You can't believe the hissy fit it's throwing these days - I suspect because it's made slightly insecure by the introduction of Google+, and because of the fact that I deactivated it for a while, so it knows I don't like it very much. I've had two - two - friends leaving comments almost simultaneously going along the lines of 'that's weird, I'VE LEFT A COMMENT HERE! Where has it gone to?!') Anyway, one is a warm, snug meet in a college (not mine), where I'm cordially invited for an afternoon of coffee-sipping, brownies-nibbling, and music-listening. All generally very cosy, artsy, and loveable. Something I'd drag my lazy self to, if I can persuade myself to stop being so lazy.
Another is a notice left by a friend who I live 1km away from but I haven't met since maybe 4 months ago (there were a few international sojourns in the way, and just stupendously bad luck after that). I'm induced to a - slightly devilishness, just because it can be so much fun - plan to go cook up something in her house on Thursday, where we would have a whole house to ourselves to cook in. Anyone who follows my twitter stream (of profanities and occasional insight but usually, just a lot of madness) would know of me spontaneously hatching up plans to cook mad stuff when I'm feeling restless. So far, the progenies of such restless states are: omelettes that are just unbeatable because they have the awesome combination of BBQ cheese and onions as stuffings. Nuggets with melted cheese on top. And odd combinations of bread spreads including marmite on bread, and honey + koko krunch on bread. With other mad - and frankly brilliant - spread ideas I couldn't execute because the intended ingredients are beyond my reach. So yeah, nobody says I can't cook, or don't have the inclination to try. My mad inclination to try will beat up your sad resignation to cook.
Before I descend further into the stream of utter hyperactivity, yes, I like cooking. So yes, I would like cooking something fun, very much indeed.
And this would also mean meeting something I can spend hours talking to without feeling bored, which is more than a good thing because frankly, those sort of people are running short in my social life.
Sure, people are lovely, but can they be less boring to me please?
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Monday, 10 October 2011
Not-very-sorry.
I know I've broken my own rule about writing something every day here.
It was because I was tired, and lazy. And I'm only slightly sorry now.
My explanation is that Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are tiring Class Days (because I'm coolly unconventional like that and elect to have my classes on weekends. Well to tell you the truth it's only because I'm lazy to commute/commuting is tiring for me, and this option allows me to travel less, and hence, study more. You nerd), and I come home on Fridays and Saturdays tired and definitely pass 8pm. The only thing I feel like doing after I come home is laze around, besides sleeping.
And I did write something for Thursday. It's nicely saved up in my iPod. But I was too lazy to look for the links I want to provide for it, so it is staying nicely tucked up in my Moleskine app, waiting for a day where I'm less lazy for it to be made an honest article (will it be today? Only time can tell.)
Meanwhile, I've taken the train so much that I have a whole, vaguely-completed set of sketch ideas in my head, all having to do with trains.
Mitchell and Webb would be so proud. Mostly because when the sketch ideas come spontaneously into my head, one of them would inadvertently be cast in the lead role, acting out my sketch.
I watch too much British comedy.
It was because I was tired, and lazy. And I'm only slightly sorry now.
My explanation is that Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are tiring Class Days (because I'm coolly unconventional like that and elect to have my classes on weekends. Well to tell you the truth it's only because I'm lazy to commute/commuting is tiring for me, and this option allows me to travel less, and hence, study more. You nerd), and I come home on Fridays and Saturdays tired and definitely pass 8pm. The only thing I feel like doing after I come home is laze around, besides sleeping.
And I did write something for Thursday. It's nicely saved up in my iPod. But I was too lazy to look for the links I want to provide for it, so it is staying nicely tucked up in my Moleskine app, waiting for a day where I'm less lazy for it to be made an honest article (will it be today? Only time can tell.)
Meanwhile, I've taken the train so much that I have a whole, vaguely-completed set of sketch ideas in my head, all having to do with trains.
Mitchell and Webb would be so proud. Mostly because when the sketch ideas come spontaneously into my head, one of them would inadvertently be cast in the lead role, acting out my sketch.
I watch too much British comedy.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Work.
Yes!
Got a lot of work done.
Enough to be modestly proud of myself, at least.
I think I might have rediscovered my inner workaholic.
Credits given, with much gratitude, to the Pomodoro technique (something I overheard other writers talking about, but which turned out to be the absolute Tabasco Sauce). And Accuradio is also a very good motivator.
Its Classical Radio channel is just unrivalled. Soul-snatching stuff.
Got a lot of work done.
Enough to be modestly proud of myself, at least.
I think I might have rediscovered my inner workaholic.
Credits given, with much gratitude, to the Pomodoro technique (something I overheard other writers talking about, but which turned out to be the absolute Tabasco Sauce). And Accuradio is also a very good motivator.
Its Classical Radio channel is just unrivalled. Soul-snatching stuff.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Militant sister.
These days, I've made it a routine to teach my 6-year-old brother bits of Mandarin every day. Sweet kid, but he can get a bit restless, and he likes watching tv/playing games too much. And he reads his things so slowly my mum would often quip that one can really fall asleep while teaching him. I just say he moves at a non-human pace altogether when he's reading. Like how slow lorises move at a completely different pace when compared to humans.
I used to do the nice, kindly sister thing when I'm teaching him, but I've recently adopted the militant, angry sister stance.
I'd use a timer and threaten him with something if he doesn't finish reading/learning by a certain time. I'd fling some small objects around (seemingly) in anger where appropriate. A bit of table-banging and yelling. Exposing him to the good ole' Chinese-style education, in short. (If you think that sounds cruel, you've never been to a Chinese school)
And that works quite well actually. The brother isn't too terrified (because I'm just a sister, not his mum. If you understand familial hierarchy/ever had siblings, you'll get what I mean), and he's learning by leaps and bounds. I think he quite likes the excitement implicit in such a routine. And he sure loves the timer.
Plus, today, he got nuggets (that I fried!) after reading. If that isn't reward enough, I don't know what is.
I used to do the nice, kindly sister thing when I'm teaching him, but I've recently adopted the militant, angry sister stance.
I'd use a timer and threaten him with something if he doesn't finish reading/learning by a certain time. I'd fling some small objects around (seemingly) in anger where appropriate. A bit of table-banging and yelling. Exposing him to the good ole' Chinese-style education, in short. (If you think that sounds cruel, you've never been to a Chinese school)
And that works quite well actually. The brother isn't too terrified (because I'm just a sister, not his mum. If you understand familial hierarchy/ever had siblings, you'll get what I mean), and he's learning by leaps and bounds. I think he quite likes the excitement implicit in such a routine. And he sure loves the timer.
Plus, today, he got nuggets (that I fried!) after reading. If that isn't reward enough, I don't know what is.
David Mitchell + angry rants.
Now, if you don't know who David Mitchell is, I'll tell you that he's a comedian famous for being posh and for his angry logic rants.
When I watched this, I pictured him being irritated by an inconsistency in a widely touted parable, and decide to use his sketch show to sort of transport himself back to when Jesus was telling that parable, insert himself in it, and have that rant. I found that mental image very funny.
(Of course, someone did make a point that in the bible, Jesus didn't actually use the words 'Good Samaritan' concurrently.)
When I watched this, I pictured him being irritated by an inconsistency in a widely touted parable, and decide to use his sketch show to sort of transport himself back to when Jesus was telling that parable, insert himself in it, and have that rant. I found that mental image very funny.
(Of course, someone did make a point that in the bible, Jesus didn't actually use the words 'Good Samaritan' concurrently.)
Stray observations (or a lot of 'I was's)
# I was drifting in and out of listening to BBC Radio 4 yesterday (I was studying, you see), and I caught something about a politician heaping abuse on a journalist, using the word 'wordsmith' repeatedly, derogatorily.
I do happen to think that's a very nice word to call someone who fiddles with words.
If I'm to call myself anything, that is what I'm going to call myself. Writer/blogger screams "YOU THINK YOU ARE GOOD, DON'T YOU" (and I'm the cowardly sort who fears, at every moment, someone's going to scream that in my face and go on a spiel about how I'm not very good at all). Author no, because I don't write books.
Yes, wordsmith would do, though I'm not calling myself anything as of now. An inner voice clucks disapprovingly and is telling me I'm giving myself airs.
# I was getting angsty sitting at my table doing tort-lawly things, so I went downstairs with my mind set on cooking instant noodles. I didn't bother turning on the lights of the kitchen, because I can see well enough with the light streaming in from outside the kitchen. In the dark, I sort of saw this fluttery shadow of a black thing darting quickly across a pot I moved, but I can't see anything, so sort of told myself I must be seeing things.
I turned on the lights later, and saw a cockroach hovering around the sink.
Now, I have this odd relationship with cockroaches. I think they're vile creatures and I don't like them, but I do realise the poor things can't help being what they are.
And having read Kafka's Metamorphorsis, and probably too much Nazi-related literature, I now think that me, personally, killing cockroaches (or any other insect that doesn't bite me for a living) is like being a Nazi.
You're killing them off because you don't like the look of them, the slimy creatures. That's exactly what the holocaust was about.
But they're not human, you argue, so killing them is different from killing the Jews?
That's what the Nazis said about the Jews - that they're subhuman, not like us, which justifies the killing.
This explanation is very badly developed, but think about that the next time you want to squash a cockroach.
# I was following the Apple keynote address with slight interest, because I had my eyes on what speculators call 'a cheaper version of the iPhone 4'.
Yes, yes, there isn't going to be an iPhone 5 this year. You can feel the tears, anger (and the incredible desire to lynch someone) from those who worship at the shrine of Apple. After being led on for so long, how would they survive not having a new iPhone 5 to slobber over in the next few days?
But I was also pricking my ears and twitching my nose in anticipation of their new software announcement. There is just this enthusiasm at every Apple keynote event. Apple is one of the forerunning innovators in the current digital universe, and it is exciting to pay attention and see the new shiny bauble they're unveiling, and figure out how you can use it to make your life easier.
Well, they've unveiled Siri this time - a voice-activation programme that actually works.
I'm a bit of a MacGyver, so I can easily see how that can be utilised. I can also see how I wouldn't be able to help but append a 'please' at the end of the sentence whenever I'm using the system. Bit ridiculous, but I can't help but being polite, even to something that probably wouldn't appreciate it. Doing anything else makes me uncomfortable.
But then again, you'll never know - it might be convenient to cultivate a good habit in anticipation of the time they eventually create sentient devices, like those in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
I'd like something that would get sulky/upset if you leave out your please and thank yous.
*Ohh, can you choose the 'personality' Siri adopts? I'm lobbying for a Jeeves sort of personality, probably voiced by Stephen Fry.
Instead of dull, generic questions from a sat-nav voice going 'What would you like to do now?' or something of that effect, you get polite questions phrased in Jeeves' posh-English-valet sort of style. An everyday delight.
I do happen to think that's a very nice word to call someone who fiddles with words.
If I'm to call myself anything, that is what I'm going to call myself. Writer/blogger screams "YOU THINK YOU ARE GOOD, DON'T YOU" (and I'm the cowardly sort who fears, at every moment, someone's going to scream that in my face and go on a spiel about how I'm not very good at all). Author no, because I don't write books.
Yes, wordsmith would do, though I'm not calling myself anything as of now. An inner voice clucks disapprovingly and is telling me I'm giving myself airs.
# I was getting angsty sitting at my table doing tort-lawly things, so I went downstairs with my mind set on cooking instant noodles. I didn't bother turning on the lights of the kitchen, because I can see well enough with the light streaming in from outside the kitchen. In the dark, I sort of saw this fluttery shadow of a black thing darting quickly across a pot I moved, but I can't see anything, so sort of told myself I must be seeing things.
I turned on the lights later, and saw a cockroach hovering around the sink.
Now, I have this odd relationship with cockroaches. I think they're vile creatures and I don't like them, but I do realise the poor things can't help being what they are.
And having read Kafka's Metamorphorsis, and probably too much Nazi-related literature, I now think that me, personally, killing cockroaches (or any other insect that doesn't bite me for a living) is like being a Nazi.
You're killing them off because you don't like the look of them, the slimy creatures. That's exactly what the holocaust was about.
But they're not human, you argue, so killing them is different from killing the Jews?
That's what the Nazis said about the Jews - that they're subhuman, not like us, which justifies the killing.
This explanation is very badly developed, but think about that the next time you want to squash a cockroach.
# I was following the Apple keynote address with slight interest, because I had my eyes on what speculators call 'a cheaper version of the iPhone 4'.
Yes, yes, there isn't going to be an iPhone 5 this year. You can feel the tears, anger (and the incredible desire to lynch someone) from those who worship at the shrine of Apple. After being led on for so long, how would they survive not having a new iPhone 5 to slobber over in the next few days?
But I was also pricking my ears and twitching my nose in anticipation of their new software announcement. There is just this enthusiasm at every Apple keynote event. Apple is one of the forerunning innovators in the current digital universe, and it is exciting to pay attention and see the new shiny bauble they're unveiling, and figure out how you can use it to make your life easier.
Well, they've unveiled Siri this time - a voice-activation programme that actually works.
I'm a bit of a MacGyver, so I can easily see how that can be utilised. I can also see how I wouldn't be able to help but append a 'please' at the end of the sentence whenever I'm using the system. Bit ridiculous, but I can't help but being polite, even to something that probably wouldn't appreciate it. Doing anything else makes me uncomfortable.
But then again, you'll never know - it might be convenient to cultivate a good habit in anticipation of the time they eventually create sentient devices, like those in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
I'd like something that would get sulky/upset if you leave out your please and thank yous.
*Ohh, can you choose the 'personality' Siri adopts? I'm lobbying for a Jeeves sort of personality, probably voiced by Stephen Fry.
Instead of dull, generic questions from a sat-nav voice going 'What would you like to do now?' or something of that effect, you get polite questions phrased in Jeeves' posh-English-valet sort of style. An everyday delight.
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