Holiday babble

A/N: The holiday's boring, and I've some random crap here for you all to think about... enjoy!

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The haze and now, the rain is keeping me at home this time. (Too bad no CAT 1) I ever wonder if Singapore is being punished by Mother Nature in another way (since she can't give us a tsunami) for being a 'throw away' society. Being consumption driven, we use so much plastic bags and our landfill at Pulau Semakau would only last us another 20 years (compare to Halus which took 30 years to fill). Having bush fires right at our doorstep (especially for a Tampines resident) is really horrifying man. I ever wonder if our kiasuness and bo-chapness would bring about divine retribution for us. Looking out from the train, I saw rubbish being clotted up at the Kallang River. With this, I thought to myself. Does Singaporeans deserve the Marina Barrage? What will the Barrage bring us other than the recreational fun? Contaminated water thanks to the apathetic Singaporean?

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Was blog-hopping and profile-hopping in blogspot and Friendster respectively. Read through a number of profiles, especially the testimonials of my fellow clerks in Hendon Camp. I also read through the profiles of my mates who were now in their new units. They seem to portray a rather enjoyable and positive feeling about their new environment. And look at me. Stuck in the office, stoning, and now feeling like an 'expendable item' (quoting one my officer's quote of himself). Perhaps I should be in SISPEC. Not that SISPEC as in School of Infantry Specialists but Suffering in Silence plus Extra Confinements. Can someone tell me how to make my life more interesting like my ex TJ and Tekong mates? Please don't suggest clubbing or bitching.... I really miss you all. Sometimes I feel that it's a mistake being out of course...

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If you know me as.... (Army version)

Zen-non: You're an ex-TJCian or ex-Chung Cheng student. You may also be LCP Denka Wee.

Zee-non: You're anyone in the SAF. (A/N: In the SAF that's how most people address me.)

Lee: You're likely to be a WOSE of rank SSG and above. Also, you may not be familarised with my identity hence resorting to reading my name tag.

Scholar Lee: You're 1WO Mickey. (Zenon's note: I'm not a scholar anyway)

Clerk: You're the Duty Officer in my camp.

Zee-nong: You're 3SG Alwi.

C3PO: You're either LTA Ibrahim or CPL Russell.

Pui Lee: You're LCP Zong Xuan.

A/N: You see? Army is where all the nicknames are created.....

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If you subscribe to the Economist, you may've chanced upon the obituary of George Kennan. The guy who sparked off the Cold War. The guy who wrote the Long Telegram and the Riga Axiom. The guy who spark off the paranoia in the White House. The guy who coined the phrase of the "Russian Grand Design". History buffs, may we observe a minute of silence for him. Remember him as the one who changed the world climate into the bipolar world, but thankfully we've the stable equilibrium between the USA and the USSR.

Paul Kennedy (an American historian who wrote "The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers") in 1989 prophesised that the 21st century would be the 'Chinese century'. And now, the world is hoping that China, Japan and the US can maintain the 'balance of power' in Asia. Will we have another George Kennan who'll spark off a Third Cold War? Will we have another Third World War? The Middle Kingdom is the banker of the day. We shall see.
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Good Friday thoughts...

It's Good Friday today and it just struck upon me this week that I wasn't really aware that it would be a long, mundane and hazy weekend ahead. The boring clerical work in my camp just made my mind vegetate. Back in Tekong, I was complaining about the 'sheer bureaucracy' of the SAF, and right now I feel like taking back my words. It is not contradicting of myself, but when you yourself are inside the bureaucracy you realise that sometimes such a system is deliberately made frustrating for the masses so that there can be 'proper' ways of handling stuff, such as the ledger for non-SAF items, the dreaded SAF 1206, and the list goes on... Then you start to realise that again, the SAF computers are deliberately like dinosaurs (in contrast to the other civil service ministries) so that it lowers the risk of our system being attacked by the worms that we hear attacking our modern XP systems. Well, that's absolute rubbish. Viruses of various genre will attack the systems that is of their genre anyway...

The long holiday is a good time to think slowly over the issues that you have in mind, regardless of whether it concerns you or the larger society. Good Friday is the day where Christians commenmerate the cruxification of Christ. I now think to myself, why religion can survive for long in times of trouble and in times of criticism? Apparently, faith seem to be the world's most powerful superpower for society! Christians like to "thank the lord", and the Muslims like to say "Insya' Allah". In times of tribulations, the power of faith has always been the victor where who wins and who loses always seem to be tied by 'faith'.

Perhaps in this dynamic society which has been evolving since the Industrial Revolution, the developments of the world which seem to bring about greater danger than good meant that society must search for a faith, a protector, a god in order to galvanize the hope that the 'Armageddon' would not be a reality. The consequences of environmental devastation, even made more obvious by the Indian Ocean Tsunami shows that faith have to constantly keep the framework of the modern society together so that they can tackle the challenges that face them as science progresses. Human nature shows that when one feels that he is under a threat, the more he would be more faithful and determined and defending what he believes is right and so on. So it can be correct to say that conflicts like terrorism has indeed strengthened global society rather than weaken it, as the resolve to subdue these terrorists is increased given that these terrorists often capitalise upon discord and poor faith. This is where history comes into the picture, where events like the Crusades and the Holocaust hence catalyses 'faith' as a result.

If you have read Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons", you would have noticed the invisible battle between the Catholic Church and the scientific world, perceived as the "Illuminati" group. The camerlengo, in his address to the people, has sent us a message where we've often neglected. The message is while we constantly progress forward in the advance of science and technology, we must not let it clash with religion as far as possible, and hence allow it to stay relevant no matter what. Thus, there is a need for a balance for both sides! With respect to issues like cloning, abortion and euthanasia, I find the debate over it pointless. The debate can go on forever with no firm answer and no victor. This is where I believe that freedom of the mind is important, where one must make careful decisons under the jurisdiction of their faith and science. The government cannot be showing the way in scientific progress! Rather, it should be the scientific and religious leaders showing society the way in going about it because everyone is entitled to juggling faith and technology to his own. The government can only monitor and encourage. Even with its judicial system, it can't do much because the forces of science and faith have been embedded in the system, from the very basic Constituition all the way to the political parties.

I'm really surprised that Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" hasn't created the uproar I expected. It seems that the Christians just seem not to care about the issues tackled in the novel and just kept their faith in Jesus. They didn't give a damn if people say that the Bible was a fabrication or whether Jesus had married. Protesting and conflict, as shown by them, is not the way to go. The apparent message they sent to themselves was to just stay more faithful and continue to live life normally. Anyway, the climax of "Angels and Demons" just shown us the power of faith, of how thousands gathered in St Peters' Square to pray despite the threat of the anitmatter.

The thing I was trying to say is simple. Anything can be vanquished but not religion, and that it'll continue to be relevant even when science threatens to challenge them over the position of God. With this, I wish all my readers a long weekend, and do take this long weekend easy!
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Discipline

It has been almost 100 days ever since I've been holding an 11B. Time really flies so fast where the carefree civilian and teenage days are far, far away and where the guys have to embrace the harsh reality of society today. Well, it just seem Darwinian out here. When we ORD, we've to fight for a place in the university, get a job and so on; but I ever wonder what'd happen to our mental states had we had not been conscripts.

First of all, one thing that defines the SAF is that of the regimental life, enforced by 'orders', the harsh and grump sergeant majors and footdrills. The list can go on. I ever wonder if there were alternative ways of enforcing discipline in the civilian world. I ever wonder if the working world, as well as one's own education in school would've nurtured any kind of discipline and focus that would allow oneself to succeed in the near future. After all, it is often said that 'your altitude depends on your attitude.' What a sharp contrast to the alternative abbreviation of the SAF being 'Serve and Fuck Off'. I wonder how we can be disciplined, like managing our time properly or being focussed on what we do, without being barked or nudged by anyone.

Looking back at my JC mates, I then realised something. Many of my peers who were once from uniformed groups actually show not only better leadership, but also great discipline, focus and passion in whatever they do. Along the way, they gain not just the credit, but also the respect and envy from their peers. And looking now at my life as a clerk in comparison to that of a trainee in Tekong, I would really agree that one's own life as a trainee under regimentation is more clear with respect to its end-point. Yep, it may be nasty with all these 'tekans', but at least we're given some sort of 'shelter', just like in a school where we've the guidance of our teachers. That's why it is said that the childhood and teenage years are one of the most enjoyable parts of your life cos' you don't have to worry about anything setting your life back, like debts, conflict and so on. The direction and focus just doesn't seem to be there the minute I was out of course. I just don't know how to pick up, even up till now. I just wonder what'd happen when I get back my pink IC in december next year. The cover will be gone. Even as a university student, you're now an adult, an indepenent person. How're you going to move on from there?

That's why the older generation describe NS as the transition from 'boys to men'. This is the time we learn how to be a good worker, instructor, team player and so on. It teaches us something that not even adventure camps or inspirational workshops can provide. It teaches us how to embrace life in the near future. We may not be a soldier, but at least we're shaped to be good to ourselves. Not just being the 'First and Foremost' (As in the malay phrase 'Yang Pertama dan Utama' in the SAF crest) in defending our country, but also in defending ourself and the people around us.

P/S: Ladies, any comments? What do you think makes a lady disciplined when the gentlemen undergo the baptism of fire?

P/P/S: I've decided. Not just PSC-MOE, but also FIREFLY. Well if I do not be a teacher I do not mind roaming the world selling Singapore in any aspect. After all, life is like an Amazing Race with detours, roadblocks and yields. Sorry, no Fast Forward.
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Will the bonds hold in the future?

Here we go again
same old route again...
up and down this avenue...
30 months to uni day...

Yes... this applies to we guys who have to Serve and Fuck Off, while some will have to Suffer in Silence Plus Extra Confinement....

It seems that the university scene has just gone through really a version of radical perestroika. Look back at the past few years where SAT, MT, PW and PEARLS got in and out of the list. Look at how they started to realise the importance of having broad-based education. Look at how they realised that they're global competitors in the Darwinian world.. Look at how the guys have to be separated from their female friends that they've made for the past twelve years, only knowing that they'll reunite in campus in thirty months to come buy. Yep, it's everyone's perestroika as well.... we never know what to expect when we enter the gates of our dream university.

Anyway, I was visiting the NUS open house yesterday and I just set my target for myself. I've just remade my Zenon grand design. Now I do not bother about what NTU, SMU or perhaps, even overseas universites offer. Being a pragmatic person, I felt that it was better to set a realisitc decison on what to do for the future, given the fact that my A levels results wasn't that fantastic. After all, you can pursue your passions in all sorts of ways, cos' there're many routes to Rome, given the common proverb. However, NUS seem quite a nice place for me, where I can really make the most of what I strongly believe in a broad-based mindset. I can't really decide whether I'm really a science or arts student. I'm not a Donald Trump, neither do I wish to travel to another end of the island to NTU.

The environment in NUS is really daunting. A hilly place offering us a scenic view of western Singapore. A place that offers the spark for one's life. A place where intellectual discourse goes to the apex. A place where everyone is your friend, where anyone within a 5 metre radius is someone you know. A place for challenge, a place for being a global citizen. Sometimes I really feel that staying local for the time-being could be a good ground for postgraduate studies elsewhere, given that the local universities are in reality not a local one for foreigners make a significant influence both at the lecture and hall scene.

Now, I have to make tough decisons over what I want. I'm very sure that I want to do a double degree. However, which one in particular, I'm still in a dilemna. From the Faculty of Arts, there's Politics. From the Faculty of Science, there's Chemistry. From the Faculty of Engineering, there's Environmental Engineering. And one more thing, can I get into the USP? (only 200 out of 20000 people get admitted, and already 1 out of 5 A level graduates have at least 3 As) Such kind of indecisiveness is prevalent everywhere, and it really gives us the sort of mental stress similar 2 years back when we've to grapple with our O levels results. And I may not necessarily be allowed to pursue a double degree if timetabling is a problem, and also if the professors in the two faculties don't think that I make a strong case to do so.

I was also having a dinner gathering with 33/03 last night. We spoke about our future, where the concerns was over what to really study. For the privates who just passed out, the fact that they flunked their SOC was enough to make them worry about not making it into the commanding schools. (FYI, only 40% of Mohawk Coy people passed IPPT in comparison to the direct coys with near 95% passes. Also, many people regardless of their physical fitness failed SOC.) This is an added worry for scholarships and university choices are enough to bring them down. Nevertheless. to have a nice dinner while having a sharing session was great for it allows for the strong bonds of 33/03 to never waver.

To be frank, I still feel much more comfortable with my friends from TJ. I don't know why, but it could be due to the 'caring TJC' environment being present. If you compare my relations with my army mates, it just a bit 'fake'. The very last SAF Core Value, 'Care for Soldiers' is indeed enforced well, where everyone helps one another to adapt and to overcome any challenges that meet them. However, I feel that it's a bit artificial because the regimental system is merciless to the extent that if you show any signs of snobbishness or apathy, you'll be punished dearly in one way or another. In my opinion, the 'Care for Soldiers' concept will only crystallize when the soldiers are free from the regimental military system, for this is where the true colours of a person in the civilian will truly reveal whether he really cares for his fellow soldiers. It wouldn't be really sensible to say that the 'Care for Soldiers' value is in place just because we've to do so to ensure the discipline in the organization. Yes, you can say that the buddy system and the friendship built in NS is something that will never dies, but then in reality, are we really training to be soldiers? Do we really need to cheong swa to bring about the bonds? So that is why I think that it seems so contradictory in life that we need an iron hand to tell us that we need to care for one another. Can we return to the civilian world where the caring concept comes about naturally rather than in a regimental manner, where the family and the society inspires generation after generation to help one another? I guess this is where the extent of one's loving kindness will be at its apex when it comes about naturally, regardless of whether everyone reciprocates or not. The phrase "Care for Soldiers" just doesn't make sense cos' not all SAF personnel are Soldiers. Perhaps we should rename it "Care for Country", since it is important that one must benefit society through one's own national duties, given that the very first core value indeed is "Loyalty to Country".
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Risk

This week just seem to be a tense one for many of us out here. Thousands of guys became privates overnight, while even more thousands of 19-year old post A level graduates now find themselves in the baptism of fire. They now find themselves in this Darwinian world. Making the right choice, fighting for a place in one's dream university course, fighting for a place in the elite class of Singapore's scholars and so on. If the guys had their own 'grand design' in the army, I'm not surprised if I hear of them worrying over where they'll be posted to; and perhaps whether they can make to the commanding schools (ie. OCS and SISPEC). Apparently for myself, I've never been such an indecisive situation compared to my post O-level results week. Such decisons are tough indeed and they are already a huge mental stress on myself. I just don't seem to be myself this week and my colleagues in Hendon sort of figured it out from my expression.

Deciding our fate, perhaps against the tide of karma, is perhaps one of the most daunting tasks because there is no straight knowledge of any consequences or perhaps, retribution. This is because it is often human not to be a big gamblers or risk-takers (a trait clearly visible in successful entrepreneurs); where the layman term 'calculated risk' seem to be a more sensible word for it. What exactly does the addition of the word 'calculated' means? In my opinion, it is the mere speculation of the mind, even dwelling into the 'what-ifs' in influencing the mind of decison-making. 'Risk' just seem to be the biggest roadblock of our life for we fear the worst that may come. We just seem to be apathetic to the things happening around us only till the very day when we have to take a 'risk'.

Well, I now have a big risk to take.... to apply or not to apply for other scholarships? That is the question. And I also have to worry about my family's financial limits, my choices of study and whether the interview would ever be decent. It's just like the reality shows, where the participants have to risk their standing among others to get what they want. That's how we see risk in Survivor. Look at the Amazing Race as well. The Fast Forward and the Detour, and even simple tasks such as getting to another place to another are risks which may cost elimination and a million dollars! I wonder how Rob/Amber views risk. I wonder how Donald Trump views risk... And that's why we have the 'costs' behind it. If you watched the race yesterday, the marketing task in Chile bankrupted the teams which performed it in contrast to those who performed the book delivery task. It just takes one example for me to explain why we humans just find the word 'risk' so worrying.. Cos' it either leads to 'regret' or 'success', and neither karma nor divination nor mathematical nor experimental science can calculate risk. Risk hence to me is prevalent in the human world, but there is no such thing as a 'calculated risk'. How can you 'calculate' a 'risk' if you can't use a tool to do so?

So, with this I wish everyone the best in these tense period as we all make crucial decisons for our higher education and careers. For those in the Army, I understand that we never have a say in what we get; so just try to make the most out of your new unit even though life in unit is defintely more flexible than being in a school. Always be prepared for the unexpected....

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P/S: I was in Plaza Singapura today and just noticed something interesting. Two Macpherson Secondary girls were walking around with their blouses tucked out. However, that's not the point here. Apparently their uniforms have their school's name and telephone number printed on the bottom of their blouses! My goodness, when ever since have a school became so desparate to make their school line a hotline a channel for senseless and repetitive complaints by the public of the typical neighbourhood school and apathetic teenage behaviour? I think the principal and the DM are really big-time despos. If they've to resort to such drastic measures than I think they're merely killing their school's reputation rather than upholding it. They're just telling the public that they can't control their students so 'please tell me that my students can't be controlled'.

And by the way I think every school should be unique in terms of uniform. I can remember the common talk by some TJ people over our similarity of our uniform to Pasir Ris Sec. And you can even compare it to the SAF no.3. Did you know that the SAF no.3 is described as 'Temasek green'? When ever since was the term 'Temasek green' used? If such a description is given then I fear that if Pasir Ris Sec people go amok, TJC becomes the scapegoat cos' the larger society can't really differentiate students and their schools anyway. Well... can someone start making their uniform unique, just as TJC has been unique with regards to its polo tee. The PE attire is not enough. Honest.

And I feel moody at work while my friends are having block leave...

But anyway I'm meeting 33/03 this saturday...

And it's going to be a risk-taking weekend as the open houses in NUS/NTU are going to influence the way I view 'Risk'.....
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What is the future?

Yesterday was the day that all A level students received their results. A day of emotion, anguish and triumph, you can say it all. It was indeed great to see the fruits of the two years of hard work materialise, regardless of whether we really performed on par, above or below our and our tutors' expectations. However, life is an endless journey. Today and tomorrow is the day the guys in Tekong are doing their 24 km route march, which itself is another journey to complete. We all now have to make critical decisons over what our future should be, now that we're fated and controlled by our results which may empower or weaken us. So, what does it hold for me?

An overview of my A level performance:

General Paper B3
Chinese B4
Mathematics with S paper A / Merit
Economics C
Chemistry A
History with S paper A / Merit

I don't know why, but everyone seem to have mixed opinions about the outcome of my A levels results. Why? It's because of one freaking subject -- Economics. I know I've made many people disappointed. My mother, Mrs Ivy Lim (my Econs tutor), Mr Bala (my history tutor), my peers in Mohawk Company as well as in HQ Commando. The list can go on. Of course, the blame shifts to my handwriting (my handwriting was equally sucky in all papers anyway); and that these people all fear the grim reality that my hopes of going overseas or getting a scholarship being quashed. Because of this, I just wonder if I should just live on life and not bother about any grand designs. On the other hand, some people think my performance is just outstanding on the grounds that I can easily enter any university course without any hindrances.

Looking at the career guide again, I wonder which other scholarship organizations would bother about an average student like me. There're thousands of people getting 3As out there, and hence even if I try, chances are still quite slim! This is because there're many people getting 4As as well. I wonder how I can make an impact at the interview. I'm still undecided over what to to focus on other than PSC (even though I'm now content with a MOE Teaching Award). I still don't know what to study in the future. The politics courses in Singapore isn't as fulfilling compared to overseas. The only I think that makes NUS/NTU tick is their science courses. However, they're not at the forefront of my science passion, environment studies. Without biology, I can forget about biosciences anyway, something which Singapore seems to be giving too much attention. I doubt the University Scholars Programme will allow the contrast I want (even though the representative last year encouraged me to join them), let alone be in the programme.

Anyway, I'd have to take time to make my decisons decisively, especially when I plan to apply to organizations other than PSC to try my luck. To be frank, the biggest regret of my JC life was my subject combination itself. I hated and endured Economics these two years, and felt that I didn't need the subject to really understand the economy. I'd rather study biology, even though I didn't have the foundation. Two years back, I actually found economics the bigger evil compared to biology. It'd then be the best of both worlds, where I could've enjoyed both history and the biochemical sciences. Well, it's no use whining. Perhaps it's time to search for a university course which not only let me get the best of both worlds, but also a reasonable one where I do not need a scholarship. Well... that's quite difficult.. After all, it'd allow me to be both practical and passionate in whatever I do, since it'd fulfill my mother's advice of being pragmatic and aware of the job market; and my tutors' advice of following one's interests..

I'd like to congratulate of my readers upon the receipt of their A levels results. No matter what the results are, I know that you all have done your best; and have truly deserved what you've desired for. May you continue to find the optimism and fulfillment in the times to come. Special congratulations to Koh Qiong Hui, who got 7 distinctions and is TJ's Top Arts Student and a fellow CG cum debate mate. I respect his passion and focus and I believe that he'd get the scholarship that he truly yearns. Another special congratulations to Brandon Seah, my platoon mate, who got 8 distinctions and henceforth became ACJC's top student. I respect his humility and the ability to appreciate both the sciences and humanties in great detail, even though he was a triple science student. Just as he has done well in his A levels, I hope that it shall be the same for his BMT.

Taking a leaf from the motto of OCS, may we lead, excel and overcome in all future challenges that we face.
Taking a leaf from the motto of TJC, may we do our alma mater proud and our country proud in what we do; and fully bring about the 'Passion, Purpose and Drive' in ourselves.
Taking a leaf from the motto of the Commandoes, through our achievements, may we bring about the 'Honour and Glory' not just for ourselves but also the larger society.

Congratulations!
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I was watching the Amazing Race last night and it was quite a relief that the race was relatively 'peaceful' compared to previous seasons. This time it was great to see that there's some sort of team cohesion, even though it's too early to say whether their relationship has been stretched to the limits. Unlike the previous two seasons where alliances were rather non-existent, it just took one minibus to decide how the teams could play the game.

I was wondering if Rob/Amber could become the outcast in this season. They're way too high-profiled, and the rest of the teams just seem to give them a smirk rather than a smile. It was like they were the no.1 enemy no matter how they perform in this race. The Team Survivor were lucky to have a friend to help them gain the edge in Peru, or they'll find themselves in a more serious crisis. I'll be not surprised if an Anti-Rob/Amber alliance is formed. Looking back at TAR3 where an anti-twin alliance was formed (Derek/Drew) as well as TAR5 where an anti-shortie alliance (Charla/Mirna) was formed, I feel that an anti-survivor alliance would be really lethal because of the stigma of the "strong team mentality". Rob/Amber are really in hot soup, and to survive in the race would be really different compared to what they did in Surivor All-Stars to get to the top. Backstabbing of teams would be really difficult in this fast paced environment. No more immunitiees (unless you consider the Fast Forward). Who knows, they might constantly be Yielded. And it always takes a Yield to end their race dream.

Nevertheless, Peru is indeed a challenging place to have the race. A country being notorious for its hyperinflation and corruption; we've a good show right here of how the teams can both benefit and lose from the corrupt environment here. Remember how Rob/Amber's assistant ensure that they get to the beach fast? And remember how the locals were persuaded by the earlier team in the delivery truck to lock up before the next team catches up? Well, I wonder how the local Peruvians survive in one of the most hostile environment here, which is not natural but rather man-made. You can compare that to Bangladesh where natural and man-made hazards are both present. Earthquakes are not so frequent in Peru, while Cyclones are common in Bangladesh. Continue to compare and I wonder how the people below poverty line can really make ends meet. That's why in the study of economics, the role of the government is a crucial area of study. The government has the dominating hand in deciding the country's direction! And the rest is obvious...

The teams are really an interesting mix, which even includes a POW and a Beauty Queen. I ever wonder if in TAR7, will there be another John Vito/Jill or another Oswald/Danny. And I guess the TAR7 is the time where we really see backstabbing and mind conflict firmly in play, where the Yield would be fully utilised. We shall see......

And it's less than 24 hours to results day..... our hearts may thump but may we get the results that we truly dream and deserve... !
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Here we go again
Same old march again
Up and down this avenue
Friday is our results day.
Friday is our results day ah!
Results, results day! (Or: 4As, 4As, As!)
Way....lowaylowayloway...woo ha,ha
Way...lowaylowayloway....woo ha! ha!

Up the hill
Down the slope
Any sweat?
No sweat!
Chicken feet, ha, ha.
All the way
Underwear, wet, wet.
Dun believe, come and check!
Check already no regret!

Well...getting a bit anxious already... like what one colleague of mine said, I better not get into fits when I get my results slip. (Maybe you should look back at my A level projections under the Archives) Well, I really don't know what to say; but my colleagues are overrating me at this moment. That's very pressurizing. And to know that Mohawk Company people are expecting 4 As is like...... Maybe I should forget about it and.....
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What's the blog for?

These few days, I ever wonder what I should really talk about in my blog. And a frequently asked question by society is "Why do you have a blog?", and also "Why do you show your thoughts to the public?" To be frank, I really don't have an answer at this moment. However, I do ponder why people abandon the traditional diary for the online diary. The point is, who reads your handwritten diary? Diaries used to be so secretive to the extent that even one's own immediate families can't read it. I can remember many years when I was about 8, where a friend gave me a diary for my birthday. That diary could only be accessed by key, which symbolises the privacy and perhaps, the sanctity of the contents inside.

Now, we see fellow bloggers pouring out their thoughts to the online world. In my opinion, the way the blogger portrays himself, both in his thoughts and even the template, symbolises the kind of personality he wants to show online, which may not necessary be similar to that of himself in real life. There may be a reason that is reserved to that of the blogger. For example, a friend of mine remarked that I sound rather 'normal' in my blog in contrast to what he looks at me at real life. He used a rather condescending word -- retard.

I ever asked my readers what they expect to see from a blog. Since the writer chooses to broadcast himself, where the blog is a kind of medium like the newspaper and television, then it is of utmost priority that the blogger must know what's the target audience in this case which could be a bit hard. The blog also has to evolve as the writer passes on with age. This is something an ordinary newspaper or magazine does not need to do. If the blog does not respond to its current readership demand, then what for you have a blog? People take up their time and money to read your blog, so it's important to show them some quality stuff here! Just as I pass on from JC to life in the army, I've to take care that not just my JC mates are reading my blog; but also my platoon mates, or perhaps even my superiors. This mean I've to be a bit cautious now. With reference to my current vocation, I cannot even say a single word about what I do in the Commando Camp in this blog. The camp is even more sensitive in contrast to that of an ordinary army camp. Now I know why NSFs in their blogs used to ramble so much about BMT and then undergo a complete switch when they go to their units where they simply go silent. This means that they've to talk about something else to keep the readership and the blog alive!

Anyway, Draco Dormiens is going back to what it was supposed to be. I created this blog to comment and to provoke. I created this blog to provide a clear picture of my thoughts, given the fact that my peers detest my illegible handwriting and perhaps, my voice. I love to probe and comment on why certain things in life is functioning as it is, and with this comes my emotional take on the issue. This perhaps accounts for why many unidentified readers enjoy flaming my blog. If they do so, they simply tell me that I've fulfilled my objective of provoking their minds. However, it's a pity that most of my readers would rather remain silent when they read my posts, which can be a bit creepy for myself.

By the way, the Amazing Race 7 is coming back tomorrow night. My favourite show, and this time I'm lucky to get to watch it every Wednesday since I'm in a stay-out camp. As usual, I'll try to provide a commentary for each episode if time permits. I'm just hoping that the 11 teams in this season are not as grumpy and quarrellsome like the teams in the previous season. The teams in the previous season nearly made me turn off the television. It'd be much better if they don't yak so much and use more of their brains. Backstabbing via the mind would defintely be better and would indeed symbolise the focus in the tasks that every reality show strictly demands from its participants. With Rob/Amber, I'm the new season will take on a new level. Will a personality that allow oneself to win Survivor necessarily take oneself forward in a different reality show? Are all reality show just separate entities, or similar with respect to what it demands from one's mind and body? We shall see.

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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
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