The taste to remember

Met f at cityhall earlier on today with the intention of having dinner and at the same time, some window-shopping. Without much of a debate, we eventually settled for some Pork ribs at a certain café which I’ll prefer not to disclose here. They’re famously known for their Pork ribs and I was delighted to know that they were having this promotion which offers a soup, drink and unlimited flow of bread combo for just $12.80.

I ordered what we wanted and deep-down I knew we were in for an ultimate treat! The ribs were served rather promptly and it looked exactly like what was illustrated on the menu. I immediately diverted my attention to the main course and put aside about half of my soup for the time being.

The 1st bite did somehow surprise me as it wasn’t really as good as I thought it would be. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like it was awful but to go there with the preconceived thought that it’s their specialty would leave one disappointed after all. Thus, to be an impartial critic, I would say that it’s just ok. The sweet sauce which went along with the ribs kind of gets into you as you hit as early as the 30% mark of the meal. The meat was done reasonably well with enough retained moisture and resistance.

As I was slicing through the half way mark of the ribs, I noticed that a substantial degree of resistance from the meat was lost. I didn’t think much of it at that point in time but the minute that slice of meat was placed in the moist and warm terrain of my mouth it disintegrated without much chewing leaving an awfully pungent garbagy stench. It tasted so bad that I had to spit it out immediately! I was pretty sure that it was not what it was to be and concluded that that chunk of ribs was probably partially decayed. Not that I’ve tasted decayed meat before, but trust me, you’ll just have to taste it to fully understand!!!

Looking forward with Photography

For the past few days(close to a week),I’ve been feeling kindof down and under due to a cold and an inflamed throat. Thanks to Danzen, I’m feeling much better now and on the road to recovery though I do experience laziness weighing down on me.

About a year or so ago, I remember gathering information from good websites and forums in hope to aid and better equip myself in making an informed choice of purchasing a digital camera. Having toyed around with the family point and shoot digital camera back then and understanding the limitations of it, together with the encouragement from uncle S, I did eventually make a bold decision on an entry-level digital single lens reflex (dslr) camera instead. I have to say that I’ve been neglecting photography due to other personal commitments, though my interest in it hasn’t depleted one bit but I would say grown much stronger. I hope to do more with it in the coming months and better hone my skills as a hobbyist while at the same time grow and have fun with photography.

As I was making my way home on the bus last night, I managed to capture a moment with a Nokia 5310 (2MP) that I wouldn’t be able to with a dslr without being very discrete or one might say sneaky about it. It’s one of those things that I find very intolerable...

(A teenager using the seat as a doormat while happily yakking on the phone.)

The Evil I cannot comprehend

The chit-chat session with ron last night at our usual haunt became a temporary stage of an unfortunate event. A Chinese lady in distress came crying towards our sitting area while trying hard to explain what had happened to her just minutes ago. She was apparently beaten up by a man who also stole her valuable belongings after agreeing to ‘go for a few drinks’. Judging by the way she was dressed though not scantily clad, I somehow figured out what exactly took place and understood the occupational hazards this lady and many others within the same trade have to silently bear.

This event has not only led me to empathize with the many who have chosen to walk through the path of this trade but at the same time feel utterly disgusted by those who deliberately take advantage of and prey on the vulnerable at their fancy.

A journey better less travelled

Left the expo about close to 3 hours ago, and hopefully I won't be back there again for the wrong reasons. It's been close to 5 weeks of endless slogging through pages and having to go through psychological and emotional battles daily. Thank God that I'm still sane and abled to put forth this entry though alittle undernourished. I don't mean to sound dramatic but it's indeed a journey better less travelled...

BLOOD, SWEAT & IRON

During one of the usual workout sessions at the gym some 2 to 3 weeks ago, one of my gym counterparts received a T- shirt from another gym go-er whom I’ve not been closely acquainted with. On the front side of the tee was a centralized tribal design and on the flip-side, a posed masculine figure was shown emphasizing his well-worked areas with 3 words, “BLOOD SWEAT AND IRON” surrounding it. I then later knew that a few of the other gym go-ers own the same shirt and what I suspected was that they have ordered them from the same source.

Having the same muscle tee to me raises a few questions that revolve around identity and ego, but what stuck with me till today are the words of BLOOD, SWEAT AND IRON. In the sweat room , anyone will agree that desired results if any, can only be realized through the passing of those 3 key words. Looking back in time at society at large, from the birth of any known civilization till the intermediate stages of growth, where ideas of materialism and industrialization became well spread, those words applied to almost every single area of life that anyone can possibly think of. A classical example, would be in the phase of career development, where an average joe would strive to slog it out at the same time better him/herself in hope to attain the economic position or social status he/she desires through the standard long winding path punctuated with the humps and bumps of life which were then accepted and unoften challenged. Clearly, the concept of 'I get what I deserve through the hard work that I put in’ was well received.

Fast tracking to the times of today, a different set of ideologies seem to be prevalent. One that promotes ‘getting there at the shortest time possible even if it’s through bended means’, ‘being no. 1 and not settling for 2nd best', and from where I come from, being kiasu and kiasi. I don’t mean to dramatize the situation but it really feels like an urban warzone as I peer out of my window. What happened to the classical way or method of getting there through blood, sweat and iron , the ideas that can well be translated to virtues of integrity, dignity and humility?

I’ll be leaving this virtual space unattended for awhile to fulfill personal commitments and perhaps, chase my dreams through BLOOD , SWEAT AND IRON. I wish you all well and take care...

Till then !

If only I could turn back time

Call it an obsession or maybe a crime, but the memories of that night never seem to fade off me and remain as vivid. Here’s a little treat (a bite of the main course from Singfest ’07)
for you ! : P

Move on

As we inch pass the 1st week of 2008, many of you would have started carrying out your resolutions, something which I’ve never brought myself to firmly believe in. The detailed list of changes and improvements translated from aspirations and expectations of what many would hope to achieve in this ‘new beginning’ or at least within that year has always been the talking point at the start of each year. To me, each day marks a new beginning and changes should be made when required or desired and not to be ritualized as a yearly event.

Even now, as I’m penning this entry my mind is preoccupied with flashbacks of events that took place for me in 2007. To omit the details and sum things up , it has been a disappointing year for me with no progress in absolutely anything I was doing. Though. I’m pretty much left in that same junction at this current moment, I’m determined to make improvements that would help me eventually move on in my journey.

And if it still matters, a Happy New Year to one and all !!!