If It Makes You Happy

Someone asked me recently, if I remembered the last time I was truly happy. Really happy.

I do. Doesn't make me bitter or anything, not anymore. We should all cherish the fact that we managed to live, be alive in those moments, rather than bemoan how they've passed.

What's yours? Do you remember?

Just A Simple Word

Test

This isn't my first rant on the topic, so if that puts you off, let me know. I'll unfollow you on Twitter or remove you from Facebook or any other social media if you have ever come close to preaching about your faith, but choose to minimize my opinion.

It seems, for some reason or another, that the three-letter word is popping up more and more and more online these days. I might go so far to say that I haven't even been in an environment quite like how it is right now, regarding the sheer frequency of the G-word. And I used to talk to lots of bible thumpers. Went to St Gabriel's Primary School, even. The devotion is nigh on palpable.

What irks me though, is how some people can so blindly attribute all that is good to an external locus of control, and yet label any misfortune as a "test".

I don't even know where to start, really.

If you're facing difficulties, looking at it as a test can be a good thing, I admit. It's almost always beneficial to all involved when things are framed in a positive light. No point despairing, right? But you see, there is a difference in changing your point of view on things and believing that it's merely a part of a big cosmic plan.

Let's say you're a Good Person. I think most of us are. Good People. Sure, everyone has their faults, their moments of weakness, their little things. But I don't think most of the people I know are Bad People. I'm sure this applies to the people you know too.

Extend that, and eventually you'll come across more than a few Good People who seem to have been screwed over by the Big Cosmic Plan. A test? Can you really say that with any conviction to the innocent young boy who's lost his family in a hurricane (an act of God), or to the poor honest woman whose children are born with birth defects, or to her beleaguered husband who loses his job to someone sleeping his or her way to the top?

Yeah that last dude wasn't screwed by the Big Man, you say. It was another person that screwed him (well, everyone but him, maybe...).

So what about that Bad Person then? Does the plan not apply to him or her? Aren't they tested? If the Power(s) the Be are testing you to see if you're "worthy", why not "test" these Bad People? Because they're already condemned? Then why do they still get the material wealth? Why are some Bad People born with a silver spoon in their little infantile mouths, and live out a life of comfort and luxury?

But they will be punished in the afterlife, you say.

How do you know that? Because some book that exists in several versions says so? The same book that also decrees that certain cultures and demographics are less than human? I'm not even going to get into that. Yet.

If the "afterlife" excuse is all you have, it's a piss-poor one really. You're trying to tell me that we, creatures of this mortal plane of existence, are supposed to work and strive towards an intangible, unproven, unconfirmable, otherworldly reward? That's faith?

No. I think faith is internal. You believe that things will work out if you actually do something about it. Getting onto your knees won't help (in most cases...), but it might let you focus or calm down to get things done to then make things better. It isn't some Divine Being that's helping you along, it's you finally coming to terms with what you have to do.

Again, some people will object to that, saying that their Deity is their focal point. And that's what I agree with. Everyone should have their own focal point, their own way to meditate - for lack of a better term - over things and to find the solution, or what is perceived to be the best path towards the solution. Again, that brings me back to my earlier point, in that I believe everyone has the ability to make things better for themselves. Perhaps (and probably) not to the extent of which they might ideally want to, but it's more than what an unproven Lord and Creator might bestow upon you.

Here's where someone interjects with an anecdotal story about how someone they know had their life changed for the better because of divine intervention. How they prayed for assistance, and something came out of nowhere to make things brighter and easier. One problem though. If you pray, and that solution appears out of the blue, there isn't really any way for you to say with any certainty that it would not have happened without the prayers. Right?

And what about the millions of people who do pray for help and receive none? Be it your Grilled Cheesus or other religious artifacts, can you really believe that somebody up there helped you get a B+ on that history test when children are starving all over the world?

Do you really believe that that's their test?

Today

It's not really a finale if it isn't the last part though, eh?

Shoot

Disclaimer: For the most part, I was not thinking of actual people I know (or maybe already shot...) when I was making up the list. Just bored and in a heightened state of irritation.

1. People who are narrow-minded.

2. People who abuse animals and children.

3. People who see alcohol as an excuse, or take advantage of those who are intoxicated.

4. People who don't reply to messages.
5. People who fucking swear too fucking much.
6. People who stop at the end of escalators.
7. People who ask questions in movies.
8. People who only listen to 80's music because of Glee.
9. PEOPLE WHO TALK IN CAPS.
10. People who don't keep promises.
11. ppl hu tlk in txt spk
12. People who Tweet about being drunk.
13. People who take advantage of others who drive.
14. People who seem to laugh hard at stupid movies.
15. People who are bad at making lewd jokes, but do it anyway.
16. People who preach about religion to those who don't care.
17. People who offer their expert opinion when it is neither expert nor asked for.
18. People who act cute.
19. People who speak in another language when not everyone present can understand it.
20. People who became Michael Jackson fans only after his death.
21. People who try and explain jokes. Badly.
22. People who complain about situations of their own choosing and making.
23. People who waste food and paper.
24. People who turn on their friends.
25. People who are hypocrites or two-faced.
26. People who assume vampire fiction is related to Twilight.
27. People who think being a clerk in NS is easy.
28. People (guys) who have no sleeves.
29. People who assume they have a Divine Right to sit, even after they've obviously been shopping all day.
30. People who bring uncontrollable and misbehaving children to public places.
31. People who talk in cinemas.
32. People who retell and try to revive unfunny gimmicks. Old Spice, Chuck Norris, etc.
33. People who try to use social media to earn money FROM their "friends".
34. People who listen to Justin Bieber.
35. People who are too caught up with getting good grades or making a lot of money.
36. People who waste money.
37. People who troll when they can simply avoid what they don't want to see.
38. People who try to use big words when easier ones will do.
39. People Who Type Like This For Some Reason Which I Never Understood.
40. People... who... use... too many... dots...
41. People who put pictures of cars or other inanimate objects as their Facebook display picture.
42. People who put stupid names as their Facebook names.
43. People who steal.
44. People who love to laugh at others, but cannot laugh at themselves.
45. People who are always late.
46. People who freeload. Food, cigarettes, anything.
47. People who say they need to diet when they don't.
48. People who assume owning a camera equates to being a photographer.
49. People who act as if the world revolves around them.
50. People who can't make up their minds.

Hungry

Been going to Serangoon way too often recently. Am craving for... cookies, prata, ice cream, salmon sushi/sashimi, pizza, garlic bread, and some good fried rice. In no particular order.

Ice cream after everything, of course.

Uses & Gratifications Theory. It said something like how you choose the media you frequent because it gives you what you want. What do YOU want when you look at this space?

But I Did Not Send

Hi there,

I wonder how you're doing. Finally started (seriously) looking for a job yet? Hope the family is good.

Saw that thing the other day, good for you. Wouldn't say it caught me unawares, but then you did also say you'd never do it. Of course, that seemed like ages ago now. People change, things change, of course. Hopefully it works out better than the last time, eh? You know what I think about it, so let's leave it at that.

Got me the iPhone, as I told you I would so long ago. Getting used to it, really the first non-Nokia one I've had in almost a decade. I like it so far, but I'm still amused that some people are going crazy over Facetime and the gadget in general. Just a phone, to me. A good and cool one, of course, but a phone nonetheless.

Caught Sea Rex. Remember that? We saw the trailer for it in April or something and were so stoked (I don't think I've ever used that word before) until we found out it only opened here in November. So it's November,  but of course I figured you'd not be watching it with me, if at all. I kinda liked it, though it was slow at times and focussed more on the fossils than the actual animals.

Timbre was good, I take it. Have to say it's been a while since I was uninvited from something, but then it was to be expected really.

And was it you I saw at Kembangan MRT a few weeks ago? If it wasn't, you have a doppleganger walking about. Jeans, nice hair, jacket, pink glasses. Turned away and pretended to be on the phone just as I wanted to call out though, so.

Anyway, I hope you're doing well, even if you never read this.

Naz

Off My Chest

It was me. But it obviously didn't work out the way I wanted.

Dream

I drive to the area I know so well, the place I seem to gravitate towards even now, with little reason to. I do have a reason now though, and pass through the familiar roads and lanes slowly, reliving past smiles. The reason disappears suddenly, and I am left somewhat stranded, and frustrated. A walk will do, one thinks.

Glass doors and soft lights to my left, I move along, and suddenly I find myself at a place known very well, though never been. At the portal, at the threshold I stand, and a voice drifts from the small stage of the place, and I find myself amazed and quite confounded to see a certain short and non-singing friend performing (or attempting to perform) some manner of song. Chuckling, I start to move into the cafe, but suddenly I notice a group of people sitting comfortably on the armchairs and sofas of Central Perk, oblivious to my semi-entrance. Prudently, I step back out, and ponder over my next move. I decide to leave, for lingering would be of little use other than to aggravate a situation already lost.

Dropping down into the driver's seat, I reach for the ignition, and as I turn the key, the passenger door opens and another figure lowers herself into the seat comfortably. For a fleeting instant, my hopes soar, and then I realize who it is. Someone else.

"Why didn't you come in?"


"I didn't think the rest of them, or at least one of them, would want me to."


"Why?"


"That's what happened the last time. I was told not to come for dinner on Friday."


"But who said that? And wh - "

And the phone rang and I woke up.

I hate dreams sometimes.