« "I'm not happy. I'm just... mad?" | Main | In My Life by the Beatles »
May 24, 2005
Not As Though I Am A Saint...
Poetry
.jpg)
Plonked this on the old place some time ago and the passing of time ensured that this poem was stashed in some obscure part of my brain.
It was a piece of good fortune this morning when somehow the first line of the poem “laugh, and the world laughs with you” came into my head. Googled the first line and not long after, I managed to get the entire poem.
***
I made some people laugh on an otherwise boring Saturday afternoon. It was interesting to note that a sad and always-not-merry bloke like me could do an impromptu skit of sorts which made (some of) them laugh. Well, I was only selected to play one of the protagonists in this five-minute piece because of my relatively passable fluency in the Cantonese dialect as compared to the others and unintentionally, I milked it for all its worth to its full comedic effect.
Still, things did not turn out very well and some people were uncomfortable with the humour (which was entirely clean since it was performed in the church). Despite playing the clown and observing, for a moment, how our drama leader was chuckling along with those who were laughing, I went home feeling sorry for playing the fool.
***
Checked the DHL website on the status of my most expensive CD acquisition to date, and it stated that the item was shipped on 23 May. So then, it is highly likely that 25 or 26 May will be happy days.
Now, I know how those ladies who ordered stuff via Victoria’s Secret or blokes who got their animae orders from Japan feel.
***
Of course, this is a depressive tinge to this Tuesday morning and it is not just because it is the first day of the work week (how did that long weekend pass so quickly?).
The first email I got this morning was something unpleasant and it made me hate my job even more. Really, if there is ever a big regret in my life, it will be how I got myself into this hellhole in the first place.
***
The packet of tempura sits forlornly on my desk. It may well be pleading with me to ingest it all before everything turns cold and soggy (cold and soggy tempura is as appetitising as cold and soggy KFC chicken). However, the great procrastinator that I am feels uneasy about coming within touching distance of that packet of food.
A few moments ago, I was wondering about whether penning down my thoughts here was akin to talking to myself about my day, my feelings and other whatnots (psoriasis anyone?). Now, if we think about someone who can spout so much nonsense to no one but himself, will we consider that person as insane?
Then again, some medical records stashed somewhere have certainly confirmed the fact that I am insane.
***
Rant
Flipped the rags this morning, the supplement fell out and I caught sight of yet another article on local blogs (this time round, it is about emotional blackmail a la “you read my stuff, now you have to pay for my toy”).
Sometime ago, there was a blogger who wanted to get a spiffy machine to replace his computer. So, he did something quite original (at that time) by asking for donations from people / friends who visited his site frequently. I remembered how this piece of news was featured in the local rags as well, but some people voiced their concerns about how he should have used it for charitable causes instead.
So, the navel-gazing continues. Now, we get an article about local bloggers every other week. The odd piece of commentary about a new start-up by a group of local bloggers has appeared on the scene and it is not surprising that sieving out the good from the seemingly negative is sorely lacking. We know what constructive criticism is all about and we go foaming at the mouth by telling others about it but we rarely apply this principle on ourselves (myself included).
My take on this is simple (if you have not gotten the hint already from my previous entries). It was a noble idea gone awry. It was supposed to be a self-serving community and was paved with (all the) good intentions. However, because prominent people have dipped their hands in it, the popularity stake can only be higher. Being anonymous editors would have put things into perspective. Instead, it simply highlights the (almost) anal side of our little island and serves to bring forth the bad or even the worse out of our much-maligned everything-else-here.
I’m sorry, I know it is not trying to be another Today but don't we already have the New “it’s a tabloid la” Paper?
On the flip side, I came across an opinion piece (featured in the NYTimes) this morning. Yes, it was about blogging. Yet, what sets it apart was the fact that it featured a blogger from PRC who posted the results of his investigative work on injustice meted out to ordinary folk by the middle-authorities and highlighted their misdoings on his blog. This is what I think civic-consciousness is all about. This is what I call “admirable”.
Excerpt from the article:
“Another of Mr. Li's campaigns involved a young peasant woman who was kidnapped by family planning officials, imprisoned and forcibly fitted with an IUD. Embarrassed by the reports, the authorities sent the officials responsible to jail for a year.”
I do not want to read about the soliciting of funds from the people who like reading your stuff for your toys (digital cameras are a luxury, not a bloody need). I do not want to read about your sexual experiences (there is a tome called “kamasutra” already). I do not want to read about how, in the guise of trying to be funny, you flippantly decide to show no respect for comfort women at a time when diplomatic relations between China and Japan are strained (another reason why I think people should watch that ten-minute scene in the film “Irreversible”).
Having a voice, having loads of readers and having your photos splashed on the local rags do not give you the ultimate right to throw your words around irresponsibly.
Posted by D W at May 24, 2005 04:07 PM
Comments
with regards to the poem... seems to give me the impression that Man is selfish. lol. only there for laughter. when you are in trouble they all run away.
Posted by: aberwyn at May 24, 2005 06:28 PM
Even though you captioned it a rant, those are very good points raised. But more that, I'm heartened to see your passion -- even if it's in the form of indignance. You still care, and that's more than I can say for a lot of other people. :)
Posted by: Laughingcow at May 24, 2005 08:39 PM
aberwyn: In my opinion, there's a bit of truth in the poem. Maybe I am forever a cynic...
laughingcow: You know sometimes I think I have a passion for all the wrong things...
Posted by: D W at May 25, 2005 12:03 AM
the blogging world changed and somehow we were just standing still don't you think?
Posted by: fhope at May 25, 2005 04:00 AM
fhope: Things will change, sooner or later...
Posted by: D W at May 25, 2005 09:42 AM