​Exercise Crescendo is just 2 weeks! 2 Weeks! So the morale is a bit high for me. It is better than 3 weeks in Australia and Taiwan. In my mind, even if we cock up our missions or whatever, we still have to catch a flight home. There won't be any "Charlie Mike"; the dreaded call sign for "Carry on Mission."
​

Just like previous overseas exercises, we will start with topography exercise first. I think I was already transferred to platoon 9 by now. Yes I did. My HQ and GPMG team tagged with section 2 for the topography exercise. I think it was only a few days, maybe 3 days in the forest. Well not actually forest, it was more of like open nature area of shrubs and bushes and random trees. It was very hot, dry, dusty and the view was always pale brown. Very much like the movie Ong Bak Muay Thai Warrior. That movie should be on Netflix. It is one of my favourite movies.


Since the vegetation is sparse, the topography was not that difficult. We could see the surroundings and the grounds and the hills clearly. It was quite easy to navigate. When it got too hot in the day, we waited and walked in the evening. Even at night, the area was clear to walk. We used the opportunity to test our star navigation skills. The Orion belt was our constant guide. Remember, we had no GPS then. It was pure map reading and pace counting. And since it was dry, there was no worry of rain so we just slept in the open under the skies and stars. 


Since it was our first time there, we didn't bring much money with us. We didn't think we should. We just brought some emergency cash. Apparently the training area was notorious for its "Ninja Van". It is not a bad thing really. Even though we were told not to interact with them but, we just did. They were also nice, so if we said we didn't want anything, they would not pester and drive away. 


What are these "Ninja Vans"? They are vans that zoomed around the army training area, filled with snacks drinks cigarettes and even meals. They would pass by us and asked what we want. They would open the vans and showed us what they have. With just combat rations in our bags, these simple snacks looked so so delicious. But we didn't have money. But....... on the last day of topography, we used our emergency cash to buy instant noodles since the trucks will take us back to the camp anyway and we won't have to use the cash. Imagine this, we were in the forest, a van came up and asked what we want, we looked through our emergency cash, we said we want instant noodles, The took out their portable gas stove, a wok and cooked us the yummiest instant noodle we have ever eaten. Right there in the middle of the forest. I can remember the taste until today. I have no idea what flavour it was. It was just yummy. 3 days in the forest with combat rations, constant temptations by the vans, it was a satisfying treat to end the exercise. 
​

I cannot remember if it was a battalion mission exercise or a company mission exercise. All I remember was, we better bring more money this time. Hahahaha!


We were not disappointed. The ninja vans were everywhere. It was not discreet anymore. And they brought their family along, wife, grandmother, children and all. I'm sure they have seen this often. I mean, they live there. So they would know that business would be better during mission exercises compared to topography exercises.


One thing I cannot forget. The hills were steep. High and steep. 


I remember we charged up the hill and captured it during one mission. Luckily for us, we would have to capture the hill and stay there to defend it for a few days. At least we got to rest. 


The charge up was painful because it was so steep. By the time we captured the hill, we just sat on the ground panting. What was funny to me was, we were very fit soldiers but had a hard time capturing the hill. Once we were done, we just sat down catching our breath. While we were charging up the hill, there were a number of children about 3 to 4 years old. Small children. They were in singlets and shorts and slippers. They just walked up the hill beside us while we were "fighting". They didn't disturb us. They just walked and watched. The moment we sat down. The moment they realised that our mission was completed, they approached us with plastic bags of cold canned drinks and said "drink.... drink.....". Basket. They were all fitter than us. Oh heck.... we didn't care. We bought the drinks of course.


I mentioned that after capturing the hill, we would stay there to "defend" it. I think we were there for a few days. So did the ninja vans. They just parked at the foot of the hill. Every now and then they will send children to sell drinks and snacks up the hill to us. Sometimes instant noodles too. Not too long after, we actually finished up our cash. I remember on our last day there, all of us were cashless already. The stuff weren't expensive but it shows how much of a good business happened on that hill. But the people there were nice. They know we ran out of cash and they never pestered. We just said we have no money already. Since it was the last day, we had friendly chats with the children. We even traded our combat rations for their snacks and drinks. They really loved our biscuits and fruit bars. So a number of did that. The children didn't mind. Their parents didn't mind either.


It was funny. Day one they would go around saying drinks drinks.... how much? 10 baht 20 baht etc....


Day 3, they came.... drinks drinks.... no more money... they held their hands and said.... biscuit biscuits....

​Another experience that I couldn't forget. 

I just got transferred to platoon 9. I was still trying to recognise all of them. 

So the platoon had to defend this hill. It had a scenic view because the vegetation was sparse. Somehow there was this rock formation overlooking the road. It was a perfect defensive place and the rock formation was just perfect. It was like a trench with a path through it and a cover. I was so happy. It meant that I didn't have to dig my own trench. I just had to park myself there. It was perfect. 
​

​To prevent enemies from attacking our position, we would have to plant some booby traps and some kind of signals to warn us of their advance. So in front of my position, we set up a trip flare. You can google how trip flares work and look like. So basically if someone were to trip on a hidden wire, the flare will explode and brighten up the area like fireworks and we can see the enemy. Of course we would have to conceal the wire and the flare strategically. And of course also, the whole platoon would know the position of the flare and the wires. It wasn't just one booby trap. Traps were set up around the perimeter of our positions. 


Then in the middle of the afternoon, a flare nearest to my position tripped. There was a pop and fireworks flaring. We were all like eh....??? It was broad daylight and we couldn't see the enemy. The vegetation was sparse remember? We definitely could see soldiers coming to our direction in the day. But there was none. 


Then I hear the guys shouting... "Alamak! Must be Foo la!" 


Platoon 9 had this thing. Whenever something goes wrong, they would blame it on this guy named Foo. I just joined the platoon so I didn't know how true it was. To me it was just funny. 


And then, Foo really appeared around some bushes and said...."eh sorry sorry....I tripped the wire...." 


Everyone burst out in noises "See la! Must be Foo!!" "Must be him one!" "Sergeant, it must be Foo." "Platoon 9 is like that one." "See! See! Confirm already. You better believe us".


It was funny. I thought they were joking. But here it really happened in front of my eyes. I mean, after that, not all mishaps were caused by him but significant number were. Enough for the whole platoon to stick with the phrase "Must be Foo!". So it was really funny. 


Sorry Foo if you're reading this. At least it was something memorable for us to laugh as we grow old and reminisce.


Next week : Exercise Crescendo Part 3 / R & R

Categories: The Army Series
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​Hello. 

So my last post in this army series was in October 2021. That is almost a year ago. Well, to be honest I lost my motivation to write. Basically due to low readership. I was also overwhelmed with the work around me. Not because I was busy with work which would be a good thing but because work and people somehow sucks and it was very tiring to keep up with their nonsense. 

Anyway my contract is not. or have yet to be renewed, my projects for the year are all done, I have some time for myself now. I think I can continue writing. It does not matter that the readership is low. At least I put them on record. 

So Crescendo Part 1.

​One reason why I want to continue writing is because I can feel that I am slowly and surely forgetting about all these things. I really have to type them down before I forget. I cannot even remember when I went to Thailand. It should be some time in 2002.


If you have been a consistent reader of my blog, you would know that I hate travelling. I did not like this overseas trip too but I was quite ok with it because it is "nearby". It is only a few hours flight away. I think it was about 2 hours. And also, it was only a 14 days trip. 1 week shorter than Taiwan and Australia. So i guess it is slightly "better".


The flight there was cool. I remember we checked in to the airport in the evening. I cannot remember what time it was. It was already dark. We board the plane as per normal. Just like any other commercial flights. Just like how it was when we went to Taiwan and Australia. 


The flight was an SQ flight but the cabin crew were all male. It was a chartered flight just for these soldiers. 


Here comes the cool part. I am not even saying this because of confidentiality or what nots. It is really cool. 


You know when you are about to land, there will be some kind of announcement of sorts. We will be told to get back to our seats, push the table up, put on seat belts etc. This time, there was none. I think I remember it was just a seat belt sign. We were told to get back to our seats and put on our seatbelts. We looked out the window and it was night so it was pitch black. Well usually before we land, we will se the ground or some street lights or city lights or town lights or roads or something. But no, it was really pitch black. It was so black that we could not gauge that we were landing. We could feel the descend and suddenly we were on the ground. I am telling you, it was still pitch black. We thought we would land in Bangkok airport or something. We looked out, no buildings no airports, just black.


The doors opened and we exit the plane as per normal. As I exit the plane, we had to go down the stairs and on to the tarmac, just like how it was in Australia. It is still pitch black I am not kidding. We were only assisted by the basic lights of the plane. As I stepped off the stairs, I was on the tarmac and a few steps away we were stepping on grass. All of us just walked to the grass and listened to instructions to position ourselves. 


When all of us were on the grass, the aeroplane wheeled away and off goes our only source of light. Oh yes, we did not have smartphones with torchlights if you are asking. It was the year 2002. 


As the plane left, we realise that we are standing on an open patch of grass, pitch black around us, no airport, no nothing. As our eyes got used to the dark, yes there was really no building or airport around us. Just grass and trees.


A light suddenly turned on in the distance. A white light. About 500 metres away. But since it was pitch black, it was obvious. "Everyone! Walk to the light!" 


We picked our stuff up and walked towards the light. In the dark.


Upon reaching, we realised that it was a small wooden guardhouse and a gate. We walked to the gate and trucks were already waiting for us. Boarded the trucks and off we rode into the darkness.


It was so cool. Until today, I have no idea where we landed.

​We checked in to Sai Yok Camp and got into our bunks. I think many of you would by now have seen the pictures of Sai Yok Camp. It looked the same then a long time ago. It was nice actually. Like some tropical island resort with the sombreness of an army camp. The bunks were like long houses with beds and cupboards stretched all the way to the end. The weather was pretty cool as the bunks were wooden and we were surrounded by nature. I was quite sure at that time that I would get good sleeps there. 


The bathing area was cool too. The mould of the building was pretty much like the bunks. A long building. When you enter the building, it was like a huge public toilet. The cubicles were at one half of the building while the bathing area was on the other half. There were no showers. In the middle of the area was a long ceramic trough with a pipe head every few metres. You would have to turn on the water and fill the trough. And then everyone would just have to stand beside the trough and bathe yourself with a water dipper. I was so tempted to swim through the trough but that would be an irresponsible thing to do. But guess what, on our last night there at Sai Yok Camp, a number of people did exactly just that. I did not. It looked disgusting. Fun but disgusting.

The cookhouse served nice food. I do not remember having problems with my meals there. So I guess it should have been nice. I cannot remember what they were but I there were no problems worth remembering. 


The canteen though.....
​

Somewhere near the cookhouse was the canteen. It was squarish big space with stalls at its perimeter. Pretty much like an old school canteen. I think it look quite the same today. I just did a google search. Oh I remember this canteen very well. 


One part of the canteen were the stalls selling food. The other half were stalls selling souvenir. It was fun. They were selling t shirts, scarves, memorabilia, keychains shoes shades lighters all things fun. Chokers bandannas wristbands dogtags pins just so many fun things I cannot name them all. Oh and the cool muay thai singlets, shorts and gloves. Those were really fun. 


All the stalls too had very pretty ladies attending to them. Of course it was meant to be a draw. There were really pretty to see. I did not know what to say plus I had nothing to say to any of them unless I buy anything, so I just looked. 


Also, we did not have much canteen breaks, so when we did have the time, the whole battalion would be there. It was very crowded but that was where the fun happened. Everyone would bargain the price of the stuff there. Because it was too crowded, you most probably get good price for the things you bought because the stall holders would be too overwhelmed with the haggling. 


The food stalls... hmmm I remember this clearly. I was unsure if the food were halal so I avoid eating meat. Actually I do not remember them selling pork though. I do not eat seafood but here at Sai Yok Camp canteen was where I learnt to eat calamari. The food was yummy. Tasty hot spicy and delicious. My favourite was tomyum steamboat with plain rice and fried calamari. Remember I told you it was always so crowded and the stallholders getting overwhelmed? Yes, your meals would take so long to be ready. But it was not a problem as you would be browsing and shopping at the souvenir stalls while waiting for your food. I actually pity the stallholders as it was so crowded. But I guess it was their time to get good business and you know Singaporeans can be troublesome customers. 


How it works in the food stalls was, you would come over to the stall, place your order and pay for your food. Take a seat. Once the food is ready, someone would carry them over to your table. But it was so crowded, they will not remember your face. They will just walk over to tables and asked if you ordered the food they were carrying. If you did not, they would walk over to another table, "did you other fried kway teow?". Until they found the table. Or they will just scream out, "Fried Kway Teow!" "Calamari!" and someone would just say "Yes! Yes! Here! This table!" And they will send the food to the table. 


On the last day there, my friends and I did an experiment. It was crowded as usual. The queue was long. The staff were overwhelmed.


We sat at a table and looked around. We asked each other, what we wanted to eat. But looking at the queue, we just said something like, we'll see first.


A lady from the stall screamed, "Tomyam Steamboat!! Plain Rice!!"


We looked at each other and asked, "you want?". "Sure. Can"


And we looked to her, "Yes yes! This table!"


And she placed it over at our table and left. Our naughty eyes just looked at each other in glee. I remember this clearly.


"Calamari!!" 


We looked at each other. "Want?" "Yes"


"Yes! Yes! This table!"


And she placed it at our table. 


So our table had Tomyam steamboat, plain rice, calamari, kangkung. It was quite a meal. Yummy. And we did not order them. We did not know who ordered them, the stall owners do not know, the people who ordered them did not know that theirs was taken because they would just say yes it is theirs when a stall owner shouts the same dish again later. It was just a whole big mess. It was a yummy mess. The experiment worked. We did not queue or ordered. We just took someone else's order. 


Anyway after the meal, we went over to the stall and paid the price of the meals. The stall owners were overwhelmed anyway and just took our money. So, no harm done.


So overall it was fun. We went back to our wooden bunks and chilled in the cool evening with the kampung smelling air. It was more of the smell of the wooden buildings actually. But it was nice. Some of us had our mini muay thai matches with the shorts and gloves we bought at the canteen.
​

​Next Week : Crescendo Part 2 / Topography and Mission Exercise

Categories : The Army Series

At 40 years old, I found out that I might have been having a neurological condition, though I cannot (yet) afford an official assessment and diagnosis. In the meantime I shall call this condition “AS”. I spent time reading about “AS” and it made me realise that the signs and symptoms were prevalent throughout my life. It is like these writers know exactly how I have been living my life though we have never met before. I start this “Weirdly Wired” series to document about my life experiences with the symptoms which all these while I thought were “normal”.
​

This I have to explain. If you have been following my posts, you would know that I had no idea about having AS. I know that for 40 years of my life, I just cannot fit in. I cannot fit in with people and people just drift away from me. Most of them become evil.

I haven’t been posting because life has been difficult. I spent most of my time either working or sleeping. I have been very tired and I embrace it better now. Especially with the most recent project that has just ended. I spent most of my time alone and just keeping silent. I am not arrogant. I just want to keep my peace and to be able to sleep soundly at night. 

There were some things that annoyed me to the cells but I shall not talk about that. People will not like it. They also cannot take the truth from me. So if you are really interested to know, we can always talk verbally with each other. But then again, I have trust issues with people now, so we’ll see if you’re lucky. But anyway, just forget about it. 

Anyway it is still somewhat linked to today’s post. 


Hypersensitivity. 
​
It is not like super sensitive as you might imagine. Like, hearing a sound and it makes my ears hurt. Or a touch to the skin and it makes me squirm and run or a smell can make me pass out or a taste of some food will make me puke and fall sick. Some things do of course but it does not happen all the time. Like people look at me in disbelief when I say I do not eat seafood and I am not allergic to them. They will say that I am losing the best things in life. I do not see what is the difference with people who adamantly not eat vegetables. It just don’t taste good right? Yes, so seafood sucks to me. They taste like yellow thick mucus and phlegm when you have flu. It makes me gag. Yes that’s how seafood taste to me. Try eating your mucus. The yellow one. 

So what hypersensitivity are we talking about here?

Only recently when I found out about AS do I piece things up to make sense. I did not know how to explain before this. I just know I am different but I always thought that it is normal for everyone. 
Now just a reminder again that the spectrum is not of 2 extremes like a ruler. It is more of a sphere and no two persons with AS are on the same part of the spectrum. It is different with everyone but with some basic similarities.

One symptom is the way our brain works. For me at least. My brain cannot stop working. I mean all of our brains do not stop working until we are dead. But what I mean here is that, my brain is on hyperdrive 24/7. Even when I sleep. What do I mean? You remember the introduction visuals of Marvel movies where there would be flipping comic strips and very fast image changes? Yes. That is the closest I can try to relate to you about how my brain works. It is a constant flipping of pictures I see in my head that will never stop and it is that fast. Very fast. What pictures? It can be anything. Anything at all. Just pictures after pictures flipping. 

Basically, a brain of someone with AS do not filter things that are considered unimportant. It processes everything.Every sound light smell taste touch everything.

There is an itch on your back but you don’t realise it because your brain filters out these unnecessary information. Now that I mention it, you will suddenly realise, yes there is a tiny itch somewhere. But for an AS brain, we do not filter them out.

The sounds of the fan, breeze on the window, the hanger the knocked on the door, someone sniffing their nose downstairs, a lorry that pass by, I hear them all. Oh yes, the constant itch on every inch of the skin.

Sidetrack.

There is a theatre exercise. We used to do it quite often. The facilitator would tell the participants to lie down and relax. Clos your eyes. Leave all worries outside of the door and just relax. Do not think of anything. Do not imagine anything. Just the black screen from the closed eyelid. 

It never worked on me. I do not understand this activity. I close my eyes and I will never see black. I will see colours, those bacteria looking dust on the cornea and pictures and pictures and many many pictures flipping. 


Back to our topic. So what are the pictures?


Senses. Let me give some examples. 

I the train passing by. I have images of the cabin, the colour, the people in it, the lady in black blouse and white skirt, the uncle dozing off, the driver looking out the windscreen, the spilt brown coffee stain on the floor, the mask up advertisements, yes all these images. And while these images are playing in my head, I would have already hearing another set of sounds and felt another set of sensation on my skin from the wind from my fan and the door that just closed. I see images of the fan with collected dust and it has sleepy eyes and a hand that covers its mouth to yawn. Yes my fan becomes a cartoon character. The door was brown, there was a bronze and rusty handle. 

I don’t know if you understand me saying all these. I just want to say them.

Imagine meeting me in person. 

You are looking at me and say a simple, “Hi. How are you?”

A normal person would say, and most probably lie by saying, “I am fine thank you.” because it is socially acceptable. 

My brain would be telling me things to answer like. “I am fine but I didn’t get any fine because I didn’t park my motorbike haphazardly and I parked it at proper place but maybe I accidentally littered a piece of paper somewhere and maybe I’ll get fined for it. But why would I be fine? I am hungry, the weather is hot, I don’t have a proper job, the workplace was toxic, they didnt renew my contract, people are spreading slanders about me. But I am ok because I am still healthy, I haven’t pooped for 3 days but I am still healthy maybe…….” and so forth…. I can just go on. And I have to suppress all these by saying, “I am fine thank you.” 

It is hard work. Really. It is very tiring. 

Here’s the best thing. 

While I am trying to suppress all those thoughts, a bus passed by. I couldn’t see it. I just hear it and I see images of the bus, the driver, the passengers, the white tissue on the floor, the people tapping out, the indian auntie tapping her ez link card, the china lady boarding the bus, it just goes on….

The itch on the back of my shoulder. I cannot reach it as I have my bag strap and why am I itching? Is it the sweat or the strap? Maybe I should change my bag. But it’s just an itch, maybe I should wear singlet inside next time or change my powder and images of all these playing simultaneously with the other things I mentioned above. Oh another itch on my right sole, in between my toes, behind my ears, armpit. Shoudl I scratch? It will look awkward.

And the smell of curry. I cannot see it but I can smell it and it triggers the images of zamzam and the pseudo drive through and their uniform and I prefer zamzam to victory and the pot is so big and the colour is so nice and the smell is so nice and I had venison there before but it tasted like beef so it could just be beef and they lied to us saying it was venison and charging us a different price and ……. it goes on….

You know what. Let’s suppress all these and concentrate and I finally managed to say…..

“Hi. I am ok.”

By the time I said that, I will be tired already. 

These pictures in my head. They can be a curse but also a gift. Basically, the brain do not filter out unnecessary information input. It processes everything. 

You know, I really hope people can understand more about all these AS things. Especially that there are more portrayals of these things in the media. Attorney Woo is quite popular. Do know that it is not the same for everyone but at least be aware that we exist. We do not need your sympathy. We just need you to understand that we are different. I am not looking at you because I am rude or distracted or bored. I am not looking at you because I am trying hard to to filter the information processes in my brain.

Categories : Weirdly Wired

In and around a hospital.

Mrs A: Now that you are discharged, how are you feeling?
Mr A: Feel good la. If not good how can get discharged?
Mrs A: You sick of hospital meals?
Mr A: Hospital meals play a part in making me well.
Mrs A: Want to get your favourite dish? We can get your favourite Dish A or Dish B or Dish C
Mr A: Don't want. Doctor said I cannot eat them. Avoid those already. 
Mrs A: Maybe once in awhile?
Mr A: Maybe can lah. But not now la. Must avoid. Must follow doctor's advice.


Mdm B: Mak teringin sangat lah... macam kempunan.
Mr B: Mak nak apa?
Mdm B: Mak nak makan Lauk A, nak Lauk B, nak Lauk C
Mr B: Sekarang kan masih dalam hospital.
Mdm B: Makanan hospital tak sedap.
Mr B: Nanti besok orang datang, orang beli ok?
Mdm B: Doktor tak kasi.
Mr B: Nanti dah baik, dah keluar hospital, kita makan banyak-banyak ok?



Categories : The Short Story Series

​Lunchtime. 

Kawan: Nwar… hari ini engkau hendak makan apa?

Aku: Aku tidak tahu. Aku tidak rasa hendak makan apa-apa hari ini.

Kawan: Tidak lapar eh?

Aku: Not so.

Kawan: Time makan kena makan.

Aku: Engkau hendak makan apa?

Kawan: Apa-apa yang ada lah.. tidak cerewet. Engkau kalau hendak makan epok-epok, engkau beli dekat mana?

Aku: Old Chang Kee.

Kawan: Kalau Nasi Lemak?

Aku: Qiji. Dulu ada Ananas.

Kawan: Kalau nasi dengan lauk?

Aku: Yong Tau Foo. 

Kawan: Kalau nasi ayam?

Aku: Foodcourt. Bagus ke Cantine ke MyKampung ke.

Kawan: Engkau makan makanan Melayu bukan dekat kedai Melayu.

Aku: Kadang-kadang aku hendak juga makan nasi dengan lauk-lauk Melayu. Tapi….

Kawan: Ok hari ini engkau sapot kedai Melayu pula ok?

Aku: Hmmm… mana?

Kawan: Hendak makan nasi dengan lauk kan? Pergi kedai nasi padang sahaja.

Aku: Ok.


Kita pun berjalan ke arah kedai nasi padang. 


Makcik: Ya hendak apa anak?

Aku: Nasi. Makan.


Makcik pun cedok nasi.


Makcik: Letak apa?


Aku tidak selera makan sangat hari ini. 


Aku: Hmm… letak ayam goreng dengan sayur kangkung.

Makcik: Kuah?

Aku: Asam pedas.

Makcik: Lagi?

Aku: Itu sahaja.

Makcik: Sambal hendak?

Aku: Sambal belacan boleh.


Makcik bawa pinggan aku ke meja pembayaran. 


Aku: Berapa?

Makcik: Tujuh ratus lapan puluh empat ribu dua ratus tiga puluh sembilan ringgit enam puluh empat sen.

Aku: Terima kasih.


Aku bawa pinggan aku yang berisi nasi kuah asam pedas, kepak ayam gorend dan kangkung bersama sambal belacan duduk di meja makan. Aku teringat emak aku pernah cakap, dulu-dulu, kangkung boleh petik tepi longkang.


Kawan: Sedap?

Aku: Sedap. 

Kawan: Besok hendak makan apa?



Tags : The Short Story Series

I find it funny every time I hear people say "East Side, Best Side". It's just funny. Unlike "West", east doesn't even rhyme with "Best". But then again, whatever rocks your boat. 

I spent about 17 years in the east. Long enough to know how the place is like. I first spent my time there in the mid 1990s. Back when there were no smartphones, no accessible internet and only 2 MRT lines. At that time I have already realised that the east is different from where I was from. 

What is the difference? It is hot. It was already hot then. It is even hotter now. 

I remember telling the people around me when I said that the east is hot. Hotter than other parts of Singapore. But they always say that Singapore is too small to have any climate difference. But I noticed. Even the natural vegetation is different. I didn't understand why no one noticed the difference in the vegetation. And since there were no internet to back me up, no one believed me.

But yes, I have always realise that the east is hot. Now that I am away from the area, I really do not mind not going there again. Actually, I avoid the east as much as I can.

You can say that the east is the best side, but I have to say that the west is "cooler". Literally.

I knew that the there is a hilly range in the west and I believed that could be the reason. Obviously the natural vegetation is different too. 

"Generally, there is much more rainfall on the western side of the island than on the eastern portion of Singapore, owing to a rain shadow effect.

Thus, the eastern side of Singapore is much drier and slightly hotter than western Singapore. This can cause slight weather disparities from one side of the island to the other. This is significant to note because even a small hill such as Bukit Timah Hill can cause this phenomenon. Despite Singapore's small size, there may be sunshine on one side while there is rain on the other. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Singapore

So yes, the west side is cooler. 

But I will not stop here. I will still not go to the west. Every time I ride home, I will always notice the difference in temperature. And here is what I can find to back me up.

"Coolest – Northern region

We’ve always believed that the West side is the coolest side in Singapore because of the constant East-West comparisons.

But little did we know that folks up in the North have the last laugh because their region is the one holding this unofficial title."

https://mustsharenews.com/geneco-regions-hottest/

So easterners and westerners, you all can debate all you want in deciding which side is the best side. 
East side best side? Ok.....
West side best side? Cool....

Northside? Coolest. 

Categories: The General Knowledge Series
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This one happens once so far in my lifetime and I am going to blog it to record it. 

An interesting thing happened today which doesn't happen often but yet not something uncommon. 
On the 1st of May 2022, it was announced that Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei will be celebrating Hari Raya Puasa on the 2nd of May while Singapore will be celebrating on the 3rd of May.

I find it interesting because I have heard about these kind of situations but have never happened to Singapore or during my lifetime. At least not on searchable record. 

I find it interesting too because I have always been interested in astronomy, celestial alignments and timelines. One of my childhood wish is to own my own telescope. I still cannot afford one until now. If anyone read this, can you please link me up to a telescope sponsor or gift please. I work hard and yet still a loser in my 40s being effectively unemployed thus I cannot afford things that are beyond my needs. So yes, a telescope is actually a childhood wish not achieved or granted.

I find it especially interesting too because of the flak our Mufti received from netizens. I guess human behaviours have been around since the bginning of time but with social media, they are more apparent. 

There were a number of people in Singapore who disagree with Singapore celebrating one day later. I find this super funny. I personally do not celebrate Hari Raya like a generalised Malay, based on customs, so any day does not matter to me. I just find it super funny that these people can be triggered by this. 

In my mind was:

Who are you to doubt?
Isn't one more day of puasa better?
What makes you think you are more qualified than the mufti?
A mufti's responsibility supersede ours. They will be responsible. Our task is to trust.
Funny that you pentingkan raya over puasa.
In the first place, did you complete your puasa or not?

It is such a funny day and may it be on record. 

Anyway here is the statement by the Mufti.

Shared with Public 1st of May 2022

Assalamualaikum wr. wb. 
The Office of the Mufti would like to issue the following clarification regarding the announcement of Syawal 2022 for Singapore.  


1. The determination for the beginning and end of Ramadan follows the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. in a few narrations, among them:
لا تَصُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْا الْهِلالَ وَلا تُفْطِرُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْهُ فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدُرُوا لَهُ.”
Do not fast until you have sighted the crescent moon, do not end your fast (celebrate Eid) until you have seen it (the Syawal crescent moon). If it is obscured from you, then regard the month of Ramadan as 30 days.  

2. Based on the guidance of the Prophet p.b.u.h., scholars use two primary criteria, hisab (calculation based on the science of astronomy) and rukyah (the sighting of the moon) to determine whether the crescent moon is visible. 

3. In Singapore, it is generally extremely difficult for the crescent moon to be visible because of its climatic conditions, which is often cloudy. Thus, Singapore uses the commonly agreed criteria used by the MABIMS countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia dan Singapura) in determining the sighting of the crescent moon. This methodology is known as imkan ar-rukya.

4. This imkan ar-rukya criteria has been reviewed and refined by MABIMS countries since 2017, and finally revised in 2021, based on more than 700 data points of crescent sightings from around the world. The new criteria considers two parameters during sunset on the 29th day of the month – the elevation of the crecent moon (which must exceed three degrees) and the degree of elongation of the sun and the moon (which must exceed 6.4 degrees).  

5. Based on these criteria the crescent moon was not visible in Singapore at sunset on 29 Ramadan. For confirmation, the Office of the Mufti together with experts in the science of falak attempted to conduct a physical sighting of the crescent moon, which was unsuccessful (i.e. the new moon was not visible). During the sighting it was also clear that the western horizon was overcast with clouds.  

6. The religious authorities of the other MABIMS countries reported that the crescent moon was visible in their sightings at only certain sites in their own territories.  

7. Although the results differed, all MABIMS countries adopted the method of determination with was based on the principles and guidance of the Prophet p.b.u.h, and their individual results are valid in their respective contexts, and everyone adheres to the principle that Ramadan in each country did not exceed 30 days.  

8. This difference in determining the beginning or end of Ramadan was also narrated by Imam Muslim among the companions of the Prophet who were in different cities, where Mu’awiyah fasted on a Friday whereas the rest fasted on a Saturday, based on the differences in sighting the crescent moon in the cities of Syam and Madinah. When queried why they did not simply standardize with Mu’awiyah to regularize the fasting period, Ibn ‘Abbas replied that such determination (in following the geographical location of a person) was what had been taught by the Prophet p.b.u.h., even though it would cause different start and end dates for Ramadan among Muslims.

9. In this region, differences in the start of the Hijri calendar have occurred very frequently in the past (as recently as 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2021) and may well occur again in future. Thus, in 2022, not all countries in the world (including Muslim-majority countries) celebrate Ramadan and Aidilfitri on the same dates. Indeed, the crescent moon has also not been sighted in a few other countries, and as a consequence, they will be celebrating Aidilfitri on Tuesday 3 May, like Singapore. For as long as we hold true to the principles of our faith and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h, s.a.w., as mentioned above, differences in the determination of the Islamic calendar is something which is neither unexpected nor alarming.  

10. In closing, for the Singapore Muslim community, Ramadan in 2022 will last for 30 days, and Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on Tuesday 3 May 2022. Thus, the community should continue to fast including on Monday 2 May 2022, to complete 30 days of the month of Ramadan.  
11. May we continue to find peace and solace in worship in the month of Ramadan which Allah S.W.T. has continued to bless us all with.  

Wallahu a’lam.
DR NAZIRUDIN MOHD NASIR
MUFTI



Simple right? Let me quote a phrase from Usop Wilcha, "Itulah pentingnya English education...."

Anyway it has happened many times before this but maybe not really well recorded. Here are some that I found.


12 June 1982 
Perak and Johor

13 June 1982
Rest of Peninsula Malaysia

30 Aug 2011 Peninsula Malaysia / 31 Aug 2011 Borneo

I've also heard of different timings in Indonesia within my lifetime but yeah I cannot find any record.

Just to share, these are Hari Raya years on record that were interesting.

1969 Hari Raya Flood

1964 65 66 Chinese New Year and Hari Raya

1968 Hari Raya on January and December.

Within my lifetime.
CNY and Hari Raya on the same days in 1996 1997 and 1998

2 Hari Raya in the same year, ie. year 2000 in January and December

And on these periods, I heard people say that the world is ending, "Dunia hendak kiamat". Especially the one in the year 2000.

Anyway, it doesn't matter to me. I'm just recording it. I'm just looking forward to the end of Puasa so that I can eat again.

Categories : The General Knowledge Series

​“Cakap! Cakap! Berucap! Berucap!”

Sekumpulan siswa berada di dalam sebuah dewan syarahan. Mereka memberi dorongan kepada setiap seorang antara mereka untuk berkata sesuatu bagi mesyuarat agung mereka. 

“Kita adalah suara rakyat!” kata salah seorang daripada mereka.
“Kita adalah siswa harapan rakyat!” sambut lagi seorang daripada mereka.
“Kita suara ramai!”
“Kita ramai bersuara!”
“Kita siswa harapan negara!”
“Tidak semua anggota rakyat boleh menjadi siswa! Kita istimewa!”
“Kita istimewa!”
“Kita bijak pandai cerdik pintar bistari!”
“Tidak ada siapa yang boleh diamkan kita!”
“Tanpa kita, tidak ada mereka!”
“Cakap! Cakap! Berucap! Berucap!”


Mereka terus mendorong satu-sama lain dengan perasaan penuh bersemangat. Salah seorang dari mereka menaiki pentas dengan dorongan dan sorakan yang lain.


“Cakap! Cakap! Berucap! Berucap!”
“Kita bijak pandai cerdik pintar bistari!”
“Tidak ada siapa yang boleh senyapkan kita!”


Siswa pertama berada di atas pentas, membetulkan alat pembesar suara di hadapannya dan berkata, “Esok hujan!”

Dewan menjadi riuh. Ada yang bersorak. Ada yang mengeluh. Mereka semua bersuara pada masa yang sama.


“Ini semua bencana alam!”
“Sekarang bukan musim hujan!"
“Jabatan kaji cuaca tidak boleh dipercaya!”
“Hujan akan turun tetapi harga air naik!”
“Banjir kilat menandakan kemajuan dalam pembinaan lebih banyak prasarana!”
“Banjir itu bencana!”
“Bukan banjir. Hanya kolam sahaja!”
“Bila hendak jemur baju?”
“Hujan itu rahmat Tuhan!”
“Bersyukur!”
“Ini bencana!”


Siswa pertama berjalan menuruni pentas. Siswa kedua mula hendak menaiki pentas. Para siswa yang lain memberi dorongan kepada setiap seorang antara mereka untuk berkata sesuatu bagi mesyuarat agung mereka. 


“Kita adalah suara rakyat!” kata salah seorang daripada mereka.
“Kita adalah siswa harapan rakyat!” sambut lagi seorang daripada mereka.
“Kita suara ramai!”
“Kita ramai bersuara!”
“Kita siswa harapan negara!”
“Tidak semua anggota rakyat boleh menjadi siswa! Kita istimewa!”
“Kita istimewa!”
“Kita bijak pandai cerdik pintar bistari!”
“Tidak ada siapa yang boleh diamkan kita!”
“Tanpa kita, tidak ada mereka!”


“Cakap! Cakap! Berucap! Berucap!”

Siswa kedua berada di atas pentas, membetulkan alat pembesar suara di hadapannya dan berkata, “Handphone saya cantik!!”
​
Dewan menjadi riuh. Ada yang bersorak. Ada yang mengeluh. Mereka semua bersuara pada masa yang sama.

“Maksud awak handphone saya tak cantik?”
“Kecantikan itu subjective!”
“Alat bijak, pengguna bodoh!”
“Kita semua sudah diabui kapitalisma!”
“Handphone lain lagi murah tapi fungsinya sama.”
“Kerana awak membeli handphone cantik, maka harga handphone lain juga dinaikkan walaupun fungsinya sama!”
“Penggunaan barang elektronik merosakkan alam semulajadi!”
“Carbon footprint!”
“Awak menggunakan handphone untuk menunjuk riak!”
“Awak bukan pembeli handphone, awak pembeli jenama!”
“Awak adalah lembu yang dicucuk hidung, diheret jenama!”

Siswa kedua berjalan menuruni pentas. Siswa ketiga mula hendak menaiki pentas. Para siswa yang lain memberi dorongan kepada setiap seorang antara mereka untuk berkata sesuatu bagi mesyuarat agung mereka. 


“Kita adalah suara rakyat!” kata salah seorang daripada mereka.
“Kita adalah siswa harapan rakyat!” sambut lagi seorang daripada mereka.

“Kita suara ramai!”
“Kita ramai bersuara!”
“Kita siswa harapan negara!”
“Tidak semua anggota rakyat boleh menjadi siswa! Kita istimewa!”
“Kita istimewa!”
“Kita bijak pandai cerdik pintar bistari!”
“Tidak ada siapa yang boleh diamkan kita!”
“Tanpa kita, tidak ada mereka!”


“Cakap! Cakap! Berucap! Berucap!”


Siswa ketiga berada di atas pentas, membetulkan alat pembesar suara di hadapannya dan berkata, “Saya suka warna hijau!”


Dewan menjadi riuh. Ada yang bersorak. Ada yang mengeluh. Mereka semua bersuara pada masa yang sama.


“Ini diskriminasi dengan warna-warna lain!”
“Kalau awak suka hijau, kenapa awak tidak menghalang penebasan hutan-hutan?”
“Hijau itu warna Islam!”
“Awak mendiskriminasi mereka-mereka yang buta warna dan tidak dapat melihat warna hijau!”
“Apakah mereka tidak berhak untuk meminati warna hijau juga?”
“Adakah awak terpengaruh dengan askar? Jika ya, awak menyokong pembunuhan!”

Siswa ketiga berjalan menuruni pentas. Siswa keempat mula hendak menaiki pentas. Para siswa yang lain memberi dorongan kepada setiap seorang antara mereka untuk berkata sesuatu bagi mesyuarat agung mereka. 


“Kita adalah suara rakyat!” kata salah seorang daripada mereka.
“Kita adalah siswa harapan rakyat!” sambut lagi seorang daripada mereka.


“Kita suara ramai!”
“Kita ramai bersuara!”
“Kita siswa harapan negara!”
“Tidak semua anggota rakyat boleh menjadi siswa! Kita istimewa!”
“Kita istimewa!”
“Kita bijak pandai cerdik pintar bistari!”
“Tidak ada siapa yang boleh diamkan kita!”
“Tanpa kita, tidak ada mereka!”


“Cakap! Cakap! Berucap! Berucap!”


Siswa keempat berada di atas pentas, membetulkan alat pembesar suara di hadapannya dan berkata, “Masakan nenek saya sedap!”


Dewan menjadi riuh. Ada yang bersorak. Ada yang mengeluh. Mereka semua bersuara pada masa yang sama.


“Anda mendiskriminasi nenek-nenek yang lain!”
“Apakah orang muda tidak boleh memasak?”
“Nenek anda sepatutnya berehat dan tidak perlu memasak lagi!”
“Di mana anak-anaknya? Apakah mereka anak-anak yang derhaka sehingga ibu mereka yang perlu memasak?”
“Akhir zaman! Seorang ibu melahirkan majikannya!”
“Anda tidak menyokong syarikat-syarikat penjualan makanan!”
“Anda tidak menyokong pekerja-pekerja penghantaran makanan!”
“Yang sedap itu selalunya tidak sihat!”


Siswa keempat berjalan menuruni pentas. Siswa kelima mula hendak menaiki pentas. Para siswa yang lain memberi dorongan kepada setiap seorang antara mereka untuk berkata sesuatu bagi mesyuarat agung mereka. 


“Kita adalah suara rakyat!” kata salah seorang daripada mereka.


“Kita adalah siswa harapan rakyat!” sambut lagi seorang daripada mereka.


“Kita suara ramai!”
“Kita ramai bersuara!”
“Kita siswa harapan negara!”
“Tidak semua anggota rakyat boleh menjadi siswa! Kita istimewa!”
“Kita istimewa!”
“Kita bijak pandai cerdik pintar bistari!”
“Tidak ada siapa yang boleh diamkan kita!”


Tiba-tiba setengah dari lampu di dewan itu mati. Kesemua di situ terdiam. Seorang lelaki tua yang bertugas sebagai pegawai keselamatan menjenguk ke dalam dewan itu dari balik pintu.


“Maaf semua, masa kegunaan dewan ini sudah tamat. Harap semua dapat beredar.” 


Seorang lelaki tua. Beliau sudah tua tetapi masih terus bekerja. Dari rautnya kelihatan dia sudah penat bekerja. Tetapi beliau terus bekerja untuk menampung hidupnya. Beliau bukan seorang siswa. Beliau tidak berpendidikan tinggi. Dari itu beliau harus terus bekerja. Tidak tahu bila akan masa persaraannya. 


Pegawai itu terus berkata,


“Saya sudah hendak kena kunci dewan ini.”


Para siswa di situ semuanya akur dan keluar dari dewan itu dengan tertib. Diam. Tidak ada siapa-siapa yang berkata apa-apa.

​

​TAJUK: BACAAN ORANG TULISAN SEORANG


sudah habis baca semua?
ini puisi, sajak, gurindam ke apa?


tulis halus hati tulus
tulis mulus tak bererti tak bagus


sajak mesti bergerak
mesti berganjak
tak boleh sentiasa di bawah tempurung katak
tak semestinya terus bertanjak


gurindam
terendam kecut berendam


puisi
tiada gigi tinggal gusi


belum lagi kias madah syair dan pantun
gerak cepat lupakan santun


kejar arus berduyun-duyun
baru maju tanpa ampun


ada yang boleh ada tak boleh
ada kasi ada tak kasi
ada setuju ada tak setuju
ada izin ada tak izin
ada suka ada marah
ada juang ada lelah


ada ada sahajalah


last last nanti.... bukannya faham pun
dari gurindam sampai ke pantun


setakat bahan menunjuk pandai sahaja....


dah habis baca semua?

This is going to be a short post. I don't even have any photos of it. But I am going to just write this down just so I can document whatever memories I have of these times.

We are back from Australia. Remember my gripe is always about not able to book out? Yes, we only book out every Saturday afternoons and back in camp on Sundays. That too if we don't have any weekend duties in camp. And then we had to go overseas to Australia for 3 weeks. We come back to Singapore and I think we had a few days of leave or off. Just a few days. Not even a week. And then we're back in camp again.

A few weeks after returning from Australia, we were told that we were going to be on Alert Red.

​What is Alert Red? 


Every unit would have to go through this at least once. Basically, there will always be one unit in Singapore that is on standby. If in any case that we are activated for whatever reasons, the unit will have to be ready to go within 2 hours. Alert red is also called 2NTM (2 hours notice to move). A unit will be on standby for 14 days. A Tuesday to another Tuesday 2 weeks later. 

Nice, another 2 full weeks in camp. I think it was during a Chinese New Year period in 2002. 

We all knew we have to go through this. It is just a matter of when. Unfortunately it was during Chinese New Year for us. It was really a morale blow. 

What made it feel better was, since it is 2NTM, we were not allowed to have any field exercises or time consuming activities as we are supposed to be ready within 2 hours. So this 2 weeks, we would just stay in bunk, go for meals, maybe play a few games amongst ourselves or do our own exercises. It was going to be a relaxed 2 weeks.

This is where the interesting things happened. 

We all prepared ourselves to be in camp for 2 weeks. 

First and foremost..... somehow... somehow....... somebody managed to bring in a TV. It was funny but was really welcomed. It was placed in our bunk at the foot of our bed. And then, slowly more things were brought in.

From TV to VCD player to a playstation. The other side of the bunk also has their own TV and another playstation. 

There was also a lot of snacks. A lot! We had a whole empty cupboard filled with foods. Snacks to instant noodles to bread to biscuits to eggs to i don't remember what else. 

These boys really knew how to fill time for these 2 weeks. 

We would then bring playstation games and VCDs. 

So yeah. That was how we spent 14 days in camp. The food in the cookhouse were extra nice too during this period. There were a lot of days with western food and Chinese food. I especially enjoyed the Hor Fun.

Back in the bunk, it was playstation, movie and drama marathons. 

My takeaway from this period? That was the first time I was exposed to Korean drama. We binged on the whole season of Winter Sonata (Chong bought stacks of Korean VCDs) and one of my favourite movie till today, “My Sassy Girl”.


NEXT WEEK : EXERCISE CRESCENDO (PART 1)

Categories : The Army Series

​I covered last week on the objects that make me happy. Today I am going to share on “Special Interests”.
Just like objects, delving in these interests calm me down and make me happy.

I quote this from a website:

“AS” people often have an intense and passionate level of focus on things of interest. Some have suggested that these "fixations" are essentially arbitrary and lacking in any real meaning or context; however, researchers note that special interests typically focus on the mechanical (how things work) as opposed to the psychological (how people work).

It is important to note that the special interests are highly important and meaningful to the “AS” person, similar to an intense hobby.

Sometimes these interests are lifelong; in other cases, one is phased out to make room for another. In pursuit of these interests, “AS” people often manifest extremely sophisticated reasoning, an intense focus, and a remarkably good memory for trivial facts. Hans Asperger called his young patients "little professors" because he thought his patients had as comprehensive and nuanced an understanding of their field of interest as university professors.

“AS” people may have little interest in things outside their special interests. In school, they may be perceived as highly intelligent underachievers, clearly capable of outperforming their peers in their field of interest, yet persistently unmotivated to do regular homework assignments (sometimes even in their areas of interest). Others may be hypermotivated to do excellent work and be considered "overachievers."

“AS” people display remarkable focus and dedication when interacting with their special interests. These traits may lead them to become highly successful in the workforce if they can find a job relating to the field.


So how do they make me happy? How to define happy?

To me, since everything is depressing, being involved in these special interests removes all of them. It removes the anxiety, the depression, the masking, the social awkwardness, the selective mutism, the sensory overloads. 

Talk to me about these and I can talk forever. My eyes lit up. My endorphins running all over. That's how it feels. Even if I do these interests alone, I'll be happy.

So what are these “Special Interests”?


PHASED OUT INTEREST

Singapore football! This one has been phased out but I still store some information in my head. It phased out in 1995 when Singapore exited from the Malaysian league and cup. After 1995, Singapore football has been in decline and to me just pure lame that I have stopped bothering. But before 1995, I know every player, their stats, their height, weight, position, teams, their skills, their jersey numbers. I read every article, watched every game, listened to live broadcasts. But since this interest has been phased out, I cannot remember much. 
​
I love playing football too but I am not physically strong. I don't have friends to play with. And when I do have people around to play together, I don't understand why they play in such inefficient manner.


ONGOING INTEREST

Reading!

I love reading. I read everything non fiction. Don't make me read fiction because the “AS” mind can think of various ways to solve problems, we have enough problems, I don't need to know your problems in a fictitious story. I read non fiction. Everything. Books, newspapers, pamphlets, cards, cardboards, labels, advertisements, signboards, ingredients on packagings, everything... I read every time at any time. Reading also caused my myopia which I developed when I was 7 years old.

Maps!

Maps! I love maps. All kinds of maps. To scale or not to scale. Doesn't matter. I will look and read and stare. I would memorise them and forget them and memorise again and forget them. Some people asked me how I drive without a GPS. I thought that was just being lazy. Before the past decade, no one had a GPS and people have been driving for hundreds of years. There are always ways. To me, I will read the map before I start my journey, memorise the turns and exits and then go on my way. My favourite maps currently are Google Earth and Streetdirectory. I don't use Google Maps. Seriously, you all have to stop your over reliance on Google maps. There is a free streetdirectory app with more accurate and clear details. But of course, I know this too well (and mentioned earlier in this post), no one would listen or believe me.

I wrote this blog entry some time last year. I wasn't sure if I had AS at that time. I just wrote for fun as there was not much work to do at that time.

https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/hdb-roads

History!

History!! I love history. I love it so much, I didn't take history in schools. I choose to read them on my own. I choose to remember, analyse, map them out all on my own. Simply because history in schools are one sided and there are too many people believing in them and getting graded for them and feel superior after being graded. So no point learning them from schools. No point sharing my readings with anyone. No one bother. No one believe me. I'll just read them.

Photography!

Photography. Actually it is because of my sensory overload. This time, it is from the sense of sight. Everything catches my attention. Therefore there are many things that are beautiful to see and remember. Like cats, butterflies, flowers, sceneries, buildings, etc. So many things. They get packed in my head and I wanted to draw them. But I realise I cannot draw. So I take photos of them instead. When I have photos of them, I can free up the hard disk space in my brain. I know I have these images in my photos so I don't have to remember them in my brain. I can always refer to the pictures later. But I don't do these for notes like how current students do. They take photos of every note so that they don't write them down. To me, that is irresponsible. Writing makes you remember. You go to school to study. It is your responsibility to remember them. But then again.... no one will believe me here either.

Also a blog post. https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/the-photography-series

I haven't been updating them because the readership is very low, my Photograpy Instagram and Facebook accounts have very low numbers of visitors. So I just take photos and keep them for myself now.

Riding / Driving
​Computer Games

These two are pretty simple. They just put me in my own peaceful world where I don't have to deal with humans. But the past few years, being on the road has been more stressful than before. There are just too many stupid people being released into the “wild”. So I prefer driving and riding at night when there are less people and definitely not hot.

WANING INTEREST

Theatre Arts. Music.

The next two topics used to be my very strong interest but not anymore now. But I still do them because it is my line of work. I find myself lucky being able to have a career in my special interest but I am losing these interests now. Simply because of the people. There are too many toxic people. I just want to be alone and do them in peace. 

Another reason why I am losing interest is because, I don't have formal education in them. But there are many who can afford to be formally educated and then start flexing their knowledge and education. To me it's disgusting and it makes me feel inferior. Arts has always been subjective and a source of expression. So now I just do them quietly. Do my part and go. No more discussions, talks, idea exchanges, sharing, etc.

ONGOING INTERESTS THAT I DON'T PURSUE

​For these. I just read. That's all. Just read. I am not educated in them. I like them. I cannot afford to study them. I cannot see the career prospects of them. I cannot practice them. And if I share my knowledge about them, no one would listen because I am not educated in them and have no academic qualifications to talk about them.

I just read them and love them. But since I don't pursue them, I just read and forget and read again. I make a point to forget the information so that I have the thrill of reading them again.

Geography
Astronomy
Etymology
Anthropology

So yes! These are my interests. I love them.

NEXT WEEK : AWKWARD SOCIALISING

Categories : Weirdly Wired