Woke up to the relentless calling of Mom, grabbed my 4 slices of bread packed in plastic, zombied downstairs towards the car, fell back to sleep immediately, only to opened my eyes as the car approached the school, and realized that... i forgot to wear my contacts! So i spent the rest of the day blind, squinting to see where i'm going and trying not to bump into anyone. On a second note, i wouldn't mind bumping into some pretty girls but according to the normal distribution of beauty, chances are they're not pretty. Of course, a harder thing to do than avoiding bumping into someone is trying not to look lost and suggest to the whole world that i'm a highly miopic loser who couldn't even remember his glasses. In retrospect, i think i failed quite badly on that.  ¶

21:01 |

 

Turned out that Milton Friedman (where the heck did he get such a screwed-up last name from? ok, i know it's his daddy, but you know what i'm saying) came to Singapore in or before 1981 to give a lecture on The Invisible Hand of Economics. i just found a transcript of the lecture in the school library. And it is pretty interesting. Friedman, as everyone knows, is a devout advocate for freer trade and labour mobility. He was also a strong supporter of Margaret H. Thatcher in the UK and Ronald W. Reagan in the US (during That time, of course). i wonder what's his views on Blair and Bush though. Hmmm...

From The Invisible Hand of Economics: A Pole (someone from Poland, of course) asked another, "What's the difference between a capitalist society and a socialist one?" "That's easy, in a capitalist society man exploit man," was the reply. "Oh what about a socialist society then?" "Quite apparently the reverse."  ¶

09:31 |

 

Just finished a book titled Mafia: The First 100 Years by William Balsamo & George Carpozi Jr a couple of days ago. It's a very good read, considering that it has to cover the history of the American Mafia from the Prohibition Era all the way to the 80s. It may not be a classic like The Godfather or Honor Thy Father, but it sure gives concise and interesting accounts of the major gangland events in America throughout the 20th century. If you are as uninitiated as me, you can read it to find out about such famous (or rather infamous) incidents as the Adonis Club Massacre and the St Valentine's Day Massacre. You would also be introduced to such classic figures as Frankie Yale, Al Capone, Carlo Gambino and John Gotti. It somehow appear to me that the Mob was much more active (read: thrilling) in the 20s and 30s, with the ginzo-mick wars in Chicago and Brooklyn. Towards the end of the last century, the Mafia had become very much exposed and weakened (read: unexciting), which is greatly due to the vigilant crackdown led by the heroic Rudolf W. Giuliani (Prosecuting Attorney of New York, if i'm not wrong). Just as the co-author George Carpozi Jr put it, and despite all the thrills and drama the Mafia seems to offer, i too wish that our children will live in the world free from the hold of the Mafia.  ¶

19:33 |

 

...  ¶

19:39 |

 

So exhausted. And a persistent headache is attacking the sides of my head. It all went wrong when what spurted out of the emcee's vocal box was a distinctive "N" and not "V". Took me a seemingly long while (until he finished the word "Chinese") before i could react to the fact that all hopes had fallen flat. A trillion-times better Ronde, a most sweetest and innocent Kodomo, and a Humpty Dumpty that virtually got the audience wild. What more could i ask for? No underperforming, no snags, no singled-out voices. i know these would keep you smiling, too. It's only too bad that the champ didn't land in your hands this year, and never quite will. But going by my standard, VJC choir has passed high and well. Now smile.

Lesson of the day:
Always eat before a concert. My stomach was growling with hunger throughout the event. Everytime the choirs went quiet between songs i prayed that my tummy would do that too. But it never did. It would instead always choose the quietest moment to let out a most disgraceful, perfectly audible grumble. If fortune didn't bring Hui Huang, Xiong and Weijian to me, i'd just die of embarassment, alone. But then they were there, so i was embarassed, but at least not alone.

* * *

Yes, Jane. Just that smile will do. :)  ¶

23:55 |

 

Excerpts from Yong Chuen's GP essay:
1. "The schedule of a child today is as tight as a cock stuck in a wine bottle."
2. "Honkong"

Cork, brother... Cork...
Honkong - more commonly known as Hong Kong, a little island off the southern shore of mainland China, former British colony.  ¶

18:55 |

 

You looked away at nowhere, as we met in the stairwell. Intentionally, or not, i couldn't tell. It seems like such a long time ago, when an odd druggy facade hung over the strangers we were, and still are. Been wanting to ask you, wanting to know... if you feel the same - the wispy regret, the tingling guilt, the little little little kind feelings that might ensure both of us that there were at least some small rights in the big big wrong. Day after day i search your words for the tiniest clue suggesting that the events might have been a happy remnant in your memory... Or maybe it wasn't so all along. But what does it matter? What does it matter at all...

* * *

During break today, the evil money-sucking vending machine tried to gobble up Olivia's money when she dropped in 60 cents to buy an Uncle Toby's muesli bar (in short, did to her what it did to me last Thursday). It goes like this, after you have dropped in the money and made your selection, the tidbit of your choice moves to really near the edge where it's supposed to drop down. But it doesn't! It stays at the edge. Now i said 'tried' because i was right there on the scene and offered my own piece of chivalry. Two good steady shoulder rams to the machine is enough to make the bastard succumb and hand out the Uncle Toby's. All hail to me! :p  ¶

15:11 |

 

Looked through the photo album again, and found the photo that Vina's been complaining about. :p Well i think i'll keep it there. After all, i've also got a folder entirely in tribute to your 18th birthday, isn't it?

Benny Lee made his appearance again today, but he didn't bother to introduce himself yet again this time. And heard that GP paper won't be back till the 21st. Heap of lazybones...  ¶

18:54 |

 

Am generally unperturbed by the maths results: 54 for maths C and 29 for F maths. They were much expected anyway. The only little glitches are the 1 mark short of a C grade for maths C and an all-time low score for F maths. Besides, Guat Ching just announced her determination to help us to a distinction, manifested in the form of weekly saturday afternoon tuitions. There is also the new physics teacher, relieving this week for Mr Raufie, named Mr Benny Lee, who is tall as me, straight as a fiddle and serious as hell. Generally he taught well, besides being rather long-winded going through the MCQs and forgetting that he had taught us not more than 3 hours ago when it came to practical, so he introduced himself and his reason for being there all over again. Other things that have happened today are even more mundane than these, so you can figure.  ¶

16:32 |

 

Last night's F maths revision went well as planned. Completed all the trigonometry and curve sketching questions in the 2002 JCs prelims book. Took the nitty-gritty slots of time within school hours today to do a little into differential equations. But now it's time for physics. Well you could say that the anguish is still lingering, sort of. Didn't get back our GP papers today, because, according to Mrs Chan, some teacher hasn't finished marking (unbelievable, isn't it?). Will get back the maths papers tomorrow during the lecture though. Other than these, it is a boring start to the third term.

Oh by the way, i have finished reading the fifth installment of Harry Potter in the midst of Common Test last week. Shall not reveal much here, so as not to spoil it for those who haven't read it. It's just that my impression of Rowling grew steadily better as i progressed thru the book. She does have a flair for simple writing that is funny and captivating, contrary to what some critics think. And her sense of humour is appreciable, being laid-back and subtle enough. The characters are also distinct and interesting. Presently my personal favourites are Ron, Hermione and Ginny. :)  ¶

13:38 |

 

Received a rude shock when i got back my physics paper today. It was nothing short of a thunderstrike in the face. 66! Whatever happened to my expectation of an 80 and physics being the only saving straw of my CT2 results array? Up till now i haven't figured out what went wrong with my script, not yet recovered from the shock and disappointment. What slightly cushioned the fall was the D i got for economics. At least that didn't fall too short of expectation, though i could wish for a slightly better mark for the case study-cum-DRQ section. Besides, it didn't exactly get Guat Ching off my tail, which is the worst part of it all.

Drafted out a very rough study plan from now till the prelims. It is extremely unnerving to realize that there are only 70 days to go. i've allocated 40 days to the two maths, 20 days to econs, and 10 days to physics. Even now i doubt i'd be very prepared for the exam by the time it swings 'round, but too much worries won't do any good. i'll just put my shoulders to the wheels (or cart, or whatever i can't remember stop sniggering about my English just because i get my proverbs jumbled up), and let life settle itself...  ¶

13:23 |

 

Have been really lazy and busy (due to Common Test 2) to post anything. So now at least there're lots to fill in.

Firstly on Common Test. It started on Monday on the very right note. Physics is going to set my highest record of marks acquired in an official school test so far. i'd be disappointed if i don't get above 80. Then it was heaven-to-hell on Tuesday for F maths is going to be really really bad. i expect a third term filled with maths remedials. Econs on Wednesday was okay. With some luck i might even get a C. But a D is what i can live with, and what will get Guat Ching off my tail. And that will be good enough for now. But Thursday's maths was rather bad as well. i just won't get anything above D for it. Now come to think about it, i hope they won't make me drop maths S.

Went to East Coast to cycle today with Vina, Clemence, Rui Jie, Yong Chuen and Yu Chong. But it was actually a carefully-plotted facade for the surprise birthday party for Vina. We started cycling at 2, then had Vina's sister, Olivia, call her back at half past 3, with the excuse of her aunt needing to fetch some sea water to save her dying fish. It was at her house where ten odd councillors were already hiding. Then we rode into her front yard just as she stepped into her living room. *SURPRISE!!!* :) Happy Birthday Vina!!! (i've put the pictures in the photo album, just check out the link!)

Is it me or is it the movie industry? But lately most shows seemed to disappointing. The Hulk was extremely so! And Lee Ang* was proclaiming that his movie was more than just an action flick but a more in-depth investigation into the human nature. Too bad i don't see that... The plot has got so many loop-holes that it makes the whole story seems patchy and unconvincing. The much-lauded special effect made the Hulk seem like he was floating in air as he gave a mighty leap and lifted his gigantic bod hundreds of metres into ether. Then, after falling from an ascending plane that was 10'000 feet above sea level, the Hulk dived into water, causing a splash that was roughly the size of err... what Henry would make jumping into the swimming pool. All through the two-hour-plus show, the Hulk was defying fundamental laws of physics with unbelievable vigour. What if you could let it all out? Yes... then you could afford to fail your physics too, at any rate. Oh have i mentioned i bought the Hulk Hands a week ago? Well, at least that was fun...

* The reason why i'm not calling him Ang Lee is that i'm a Chinese who knows how to properly write a Chinse name. At least they are doing that with Yao Ming now, which is especially satisfying. :)  ¶

22:37 |