the recluse’s hideout

I was limping (from a busted ankle) to the toilet, with toothbrush in hand, fearing that I would sit out the route march that morning. Then the siren came, followed by the none-too-familiar voice that growled “0615 FULL  BATTLE ORDER!” I dashed back to my room, put on my uniform, boots and gear and dashed down to fall in.

I had been running–with load–and I could run. So I went on, did the march and finished it fine.

It was rather puzzling. I choose to believe it must be the wonders of adrenaline (and not my weak mind) at work. Maybe next time they’d make adrenaline-ated cola to complement the existing carbonated ones? It’d be quite a hit, at least with people like me whose bodies seem to be falling apart.

P.S. Someone was referred to my blog with the search engine keywords: “army ocs showering”. Seriously, what?!!!

When I first came in, there were many people I prejudged. There were some I thought would make brilliant friends–ones who I thought I could click with– then there were those that I thought I’d never talk.

Just somehow, my judgement was flawed. Those who I thought I’d hate (too strong?) and never talk to are actually those that make my days in here a lot better. Sounds gay, but they make me happy.

Can’t believe I just said that, but you know what I mean right?

I AM NOT GAY!

I think I’m suffering from caffeine withdrawl symptoms. I’m feeling lethargic, have occasional headaches and keep thinking of coke. Maybe it’s just psychological. Read it off Starbucked: A Double Tall Tale Of Caffeine, Commerce and Culture, became consciously aware, and then the mind started running wild.

But nonetheless, it has been an interesting read as I come close to the end of the book. Taylor Clark writes in style and language a peasant like me can read and more importantly, sustain my ever-dwindling attention span. Written with a slightly light heart, the book covers varying topics from coffee history and culture, the Starbucks Experience, how Starbucks became such an “international juggernaut”, fair trade and even to employee benefits.

Quite a fun read if you wanted to know a little bit more about coffee, Starbucks (*$) and if like me, aspire to start a coffeeshop without an overdose of mind boggling language and boring technical jargon.

The day started out fine, really. Until you had to unleash the gnoll in you. Seriously, what’s the hurry? Or what really is the matter at hand that you have to frown and yell and get the whole world in a dreary mood. For years it’s been like that, can’t you learn? I believe you sense it too, and I choose to believe that you do feel bad about it.

I also know it’s impossible to adjust the winds, and in this case, I can choose to adjust my sail. So yea, it’s no one else’s fault but mine. I can only blame myself.

I’m at the airport now. Feeling slightly sick and nauseas even though i haven’t taken the malaria pills. can’t imagine how bad it’ll be later. gah, what is wrong??

I also had tasteless kaya toast, probably the worst ever at killiney kopitiam. Not only was the toast bad, the service was quite bad. thank goodness i was still slightly alert, he wanted to bill me $12 for a few slices of kaya toast n 2 drinks. okay, let’s be nice, he’s afterall a trainee.

alright, off to malaria pill parade!

I’m off to Brunei tonight (actually tomorrow) and it’s been quite a nice long weekend. Gave me a lot of time to rot, think and catch up. It’s times like these you sit down, catch a breather, and start reflecting and regrouping. Many a times, we get too caught up in the hustle and bustle of things that we lose sight of our goals, visions and dreams. It is all too convenient to get sucked into the mundane routine of everyday life, especially a life dictated by regimentation and lesson plans.

It gave me time to think about the things that mean a lot to me, and about people whom I love and care about a lot. It feels nice, a feeling almost so foreign because of the rigours of training. I only fear for a repeat of history — of being put in the exact same predicament all over again. Believe me the feeling wasn’t nice and it took awhile for me to move on. Sigh.

Also recently, I assumed more responsibility. From platoon, I moved up to wing, then now to the school level. It also places immense pressure on me to perform and pass the coming course (with style). If anything at all, at least I bring some pride home, for my parents, brother and buddies.

The blog will proly remain quiet for the next 2 weeks, and whether or not mushrooms start to sprout will depend on the willingness of the guest blogger to play her part n keep this pad going.

Wish me luck, please!

p.s. Pray for no rain, and no casualties, and for 100% passes!

Saddam Hussein visits McDonald’s in Kuching for a free Big Mac and a chance to win RM10,000 with the Big Mac Chant online contest. Absolutely hilarious! Must watch! Hahahaa.

Link

Evolutionary Economics: Bottom Up Solutions to Business Problems

“Government bailouts and handouts are both forms of appeasing producers. If we focus on solving problems for customers instead — encouraging the creation of can’t-live-without products — we will have an easier time riding out the natural storm of a down cycle.”

Link

It’s time like these that are nicest. When there’s no high key event/activity going on, and when many of the instructors aren’t around. It’s mostly self-governed and the day is relatively free. You walk down the corridor and see people taking their well-deserved rest even though the bed sheets are off, people watching a movie together in a bunk off a macbook, lights dimmed and all. Some are reading, though struggling to keep awake (that’s me), and some are busy because that’s how it works — appointment holders just do most if not all the work.

It’s also times like these when you have time to actually think. Something quite foreign in the service, especially when the helmet or camouflage cream is on.  And when you think, your mind starts to wonder too far, and the slightest things spark off a series of disturbing thoughts that only serve no purpose but to further depress you, and pushing you into the abyss of selfpity once again.

Perhaps sometimes, just sometimes, its nice to be busy. Maybe it’s been a blessing i’ve gotten appointments one after another. Just maybe.

What an empty weekend yet again.

I’ve essentially accomplished nothing, met hardly anyone and thought about nothing.

What a swine!

Dad & Mom at New Taiwan Porridge

Dad has lead quite a life. I think like most people, he’s had quite abit of ups and downs, in fact, really quite a fair bit of downs. Nonetheless, he’s been a great mentor, friend and father for the past 23 years. At least I can attest to 20 of the 23 years.

I wish him the best of health, endless wisdom, and success in work and business. Most of all, I wish for everlasting love and warmth in his family.

I’ll be a better son.

I think I might have solved my internet woes.

Took the modem and router, and a whole lot of wires from bro’s, then shifted to mine. So I stuffed it behind the TV and now signal strength reads Excellent in my room, Very Good in parents’, and Medium in the rest of the house. I think that beats Very Low/Low in my room previously.

Only problem now is that its hideous, its cluttered, its unsightly, its an annoying mess. But since I’m away from home most of the time, and I hardly face the TV, and I use the net a way lot more, I’ll live with it.

Saves the trouble of ditching starhub, and going for singnet instead. You’re lucky SingNet takes 4 working days and a trip down to a hello shop.

Marketing tip: reduce the number of barriers for the consumer to buy your product and conversions will likely go up.

My friend wanted to buy stuff that he already had. Then I went something like why waste the money? Then he retorted, it’s only money.

I was dumbfounded. It hit me that money is really just money.

It made me think about my personal saving scheme, expense tracking and so on. Sure, they don’t take a lot of time to keep up, but it sure makes me conscious about the dollars and cents spent. It takes away a little bit of the fun and exhilaration in spending money. I don’t know. Short term pain, long term gain?

But then again, if I really died tomorrow, I’d have only ’suffered’ and gained/enjoyed nothing?

Mind boggling…

Nice fluffy clouds, no? But it’s a rare view. I spend 6 days a week in camp, and only one at home. And it’s an even rarer view cause the blinds are mostly down. Veh hot you know?

Save me. My internet keeps dying/dropping.

First, I think the signal from the cable point is quite weak.

Second, I’m a mere 10-20m away from the router sited in my brother’s room and I’m getting a Low/Very Low signal strength.

Help, anyone?