Accompanying run with angel and her cousin this evening; considering the tropical climate we live in, it's better to run off the sun, especially for the ladies.
Before the run, we spotted some labour workers catching fishes at the riverbank, and indeed, they had catches. The rod was purely made out of natural materials such as plant stems and willow roots - one of the most economical ways to fish. Kevin would be amazed to see this.
I kept the run duration at 40mins, so u-turn point for anyone will be at 20mins after they have reached that on their stopwatch. My speed was faster today, but certainly not fantastic enough. The ladies commented that I have a slim build even with my top on, but that to me, was simply illusionistic.
Another better run awaits me next weekend, or even during the week.
7:56 AM |
Category:
Athlete's journey
|
A good run was done today, hitting 'paradise' (aka No Man's Land) which was far and beyond the woods and vegetation. U-turn point had hit the bridge that will bring me to Yishun if I venture further down.
The greatest challenge of today's run was the gale that formed resistance, coming from all directions. Being a Saturday, the 'industrial' roads are filled with trucks, hence tossing up sand as they drive by.
It certainly takes a few more of such runs to get accustomed to the endurance needed, hence I have to keep going so I can hit beyond my 21km barrier.
7:51 AM |
Category:
Athlete's journey
|
One of the record-breaking days where I left for home at 8pm. It's not my usual to work into such hours but it was necessary for this time. I won't want to use 'miserable' as the word for now.
Limited hours as I got home to clear leftover dinner and food and soon, it was already bedtime. As I wrapped up for the day, I wonder on the next season of when I can pack my bags and get out of this national pressure cooker for some air?
Tomorrow's the last day of this year; it had certainly come a long way for me to land here after some good attempts, so the next thing for me is, to hang in there for as long as I can.
7:45 AM |
Category:
workforce
|
I saw myself near the old neighbourhood in Bedok North at my previous residence. Across the road were shophouses and I was waiting to see the GP. As there were quite a number of patients ahead of me, I had to wait awhile, so I decided to walk to my car (a vintage Beetle). This car was unusual as it had leather curtains across the window panes.
Upon entering the car and flipping the leather curtain open, the scenery outside now had somewhat changed to a period setting, with horse carriage, people in capes, top hats and the sort. My ride had been converted to a chariot and I was getting ready to attack some demons by ambusing them theough the gap above the curtain. After taking the first shot, I realised there are some skillset which are different, such as toggling and the regeneration of the cooldown time (now it appears to be in an RPG); at the back I was reminded that this is an interim between the upgrade of the latest version of Diablo III.
Switchscene shows me back to the old streets where I have to make a detour across the neighbourhood to get to an old elevator, which was the shortcut back home. I met Janet and Wella, people whom I know from my current workplace who happened to live around the area.
The lift to my apartment was through some rundown lobby which doesn't seem to be in use; beyond the 'trashzone' was a lift that the operational light glowed weakly, but still functional.
Thuds from the door could be heard. 7:20am and back to reality.
8:21 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
A refreshing experience to run in the middle-rated showers without thunderstorms.
The route had became a little like a stream when I hit the upslope path beyond the 6km mark. Being undeveloped, this place had virtually no street lighting so I have to keep the regime in the lighted hours if I wanted to take this route. So far, it had been the most conducive route as there's minimal traffic crossings and pedestrian interruptions.
Civilisation appeared far when I was making the route back after the 7km mark, however, it was over in a blink of an eye as the weather proved best for a good, long distance run.
It started a liytle chilly, but after a warmup duration, it gets enjoyable as the only discomfort I had to deal with, was the splatter of raindrops on my countenance. It was soon over, and looking forward to the next!
2:19 PM |
Category:
Athlete's journey
|
No run this evening in view of the thunderstorm that engulfed the sky in the early evenin g. By then, I already had a late lunch followed by dinner within 2 hours; so it's a carbohydrate overloaded evening.
In short, the evening had to be spent indoor since it's also too dark to run my usual route where it's not lit in view of the development.
Dearie is feeling much better so the evening had not been too tormenting with the stomach pangs and puking, possibly due to improperly cooked food consumed. Wrapping up for another week.
2:13 PM |
Category: |
One of the rare times when I utilise the time after eating to retreat to my mental sanctuary. It's 2/5 of the week and things can certainly get over one's head, and we just have to keep going.
There'll be a potluck tomorrow so all of us will get to enjoy some fellowship over food during lunch.b A well-deserved fellowship; I still maintain my level of secrecy which isn't disclosed to many; the other, real side is probably what many people identify my uniqueness as.
2 holidays this month so there's the free break; a good idea to get out of the house again as being cooped up all day isn't a good idea. I definitely need my run! It's been awhile since I hit that peak, 4 times a week schedule which I made East Coast park my favourite haunt.
2:09 PM |
Category: |
Saw myself in a place resembling military installtion and I was on a duty switch with another comrade. Walls glowed red from the blackout lights which provided sufficient brightness without being glaring.
This base was subterrainian and well guarded by soliders in green uniform; the typical bright leaf green with a hint of olive that made the whole force resemble that of a communist organisation.
I was walking across an installation and saw my former CSM, Leslie, whom I chatted up after he saw me. He saw my rank which had rose considerably over the years and congratulated me for achieving it; well it's normal for those in the military to advance at such a pace.
The mind just stayed engaged in this environment as I was supervising some operations. 7am and I heard my alarm; it's time to get back to the real world.
2:02 PM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
An early morning for the Sunday after that overtime into slumber hours last night at the airport. Soaked in Starbucks for the past 2 hours to wait for dearie as she had to come back for some contingency plan testing. It should be done anytime soon.
I haven't been writing a whole lot recently, as the schedule has been pretty packed since I boarded this ship. A wonderful company has left our team and I was glad there was a chance we could all meet up at the recent gathering. Soon, she'll be taking that long haul flight back to her home at the other side of the world and we all will miss her.
Well I'm quite halfway through that probation period so let's see how things go from here; more importantly, the effort that had been put in right from the start should not have gone unrecognised.
Weather has been wet lately but that's the coolest we'll get here in this little tropical island. Many of my friends who area abroad are experiencing snow, and that's the most wonderful thing one can expect for this season.
Almost half a day gone by. Time to move on for the rest of the day.
11:27 AM |
Category: |
One of those nights where I have a headful of thoughts before heading to bed.
Paul Walker, one of my favourite actors in the Fast and Furious series, had just passed on in a tragic car accident after attending a charity event with his friend. At first, it seemed like one of those celebrity death hoaxes that was running around in Facebook, but after several sources and finally the news on television, it was confirmed he has left at just 40 years old. Indeed, he was a very talented man and was even out in the seas tagging sharks on National Geographic.
I love his style and the kind of lifestyle he lives; being out there in the sea, pure freedom and doing several shows. Alas, all these had come to an end. Another ringer in my mind; are talented people meant to be short-lived? I certainly hope not.
Rest in Peace, Paul. You will be missed by many.
12:25 AM |
Category: |
Once again, I am the chef for the night as dearie's parents are away for a vacation. Some simple dishes whipped up for the 4 of us at home. Dearie's brother is nursing a cold and cough so I hope he'll be well soon.
Cooking has been one nice past time both of us can share together. A combination of various techniques of cooking ingredients can make a whole lot of wonder to the results of cooking.
Let's try something different next week while finetuning what has been cooked toda.
12:25 AM |
Category: |
A solid month that has been done and finally dearie and I can have a good meal together after work. Service pace wasn't 100% satisfying at MOF Tampines One; fortunately the taste of food was decent. I had been immensely soaked by the rain even with a brolly earlier so at least a decent meal was something I could do after going through an entire month of intensive work.
Can't say much more about the numbers game; the only thing is to keep going for a considerable period of time before making plans for the next ship so things in life can be slowly set in order.
The weekend is finally here so both of us can have a good relaxation time.
10:31 PM |
Category: |
I entered this apartment and met up with a friend named Aaron, whom I had known for awhile. He seemed to have some ongoing tension with his wife whom he was fighting over their child; his wife wanted to take their child back.
This took place after he managed to creep in and take over charge of the security. Along with a few of his accomplices, he stacked ladders against the wall with minimum fastening mechanisms and made his way in. Soon, he used different measures such as denying access to the apartment and getting security personnel to deny her entry.
After the lockout, I asked him what had caused the tension and he said it was due to unexpected parenting when they were younger. Soon he left and went on with his business.
His wife soon snuck back to the apartment and attempted to use the phone at the landing; while at it, I had to keep a watchout for Aaron not to catch sight of her. At one point, Aaron was at the next landing while his wife was at the next; sight could be established with just a tilt of the neck. While Cheryl (Aaron's wife) was making that important call, I quickly distracted Aaron but striking a conversation and casually leading him out of the possible sighting zone.
Next scene showed me running through some old apartments and I saw Sally's family whom some of them were sitting around their gate and I asked if she's in. Seems like she's not back yet.
At this scene, Cheryl is making another attempt to get her child back and have arranged to meet Aaron at a building away from their apartment. The building was red-bricked, resembling that of an old school compound. The unusual thing is that her car has a long pipe, which resembles that on the top of the time machine in Back to the Future movie.
Some reinforcements arriving in a white Civic could be seen but they don't appear of good news...and certainly not to the advantage of Cheryl.
As I ran up to look for both of them, I bumped into Debbie, someone whom I had known for several years back then; she's still as dainty and pretty as before, and told me that she'll be getting married to Lawrence. We had a brief conversation before I continued my search.
Alarm buzz, it's 6am.
8:20 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
I had a god dinner with a group of people; wonderful company and great fellowship at Fish n Co. Time to get the bill and I used the Manhattan card; for the first time, I saw a $680 bill on dining and that's where I had to use another card where it has a decent limit.
While everyone were strolling slowly away from the restaurant, I got the bill settled and chatted with the waitress; her name was Stery Gwee and we managed to chat up quite well.
Next scene showed us going into this office where the Australian boss just got back and all of us greeted him. New and slick looking office, and everyone looked happy and fresh; it's like the Company of the New Generation where vibrance is delt everywhere.
While getting refreshed the pantry, I met up with a few colleagues whom I'm closer with and talked about that dinner we had at Fish n Co; the quality of food is still in place with decent ambience.
Next scene showed me having to leave the premises and it was over another dining session where the girls wanted to hang around. I told them not to hang around too late as the night's not quite young; while doing this, I had a pillow between my legs with a knee on it, jumping my way out.
At the carpark, I took the umbrella and shelteree my uncle to the MSCP nearby; this umbrella had double stem and seemed much wider than a conventional umbrella. Another scene where I passed through older towns, I saw Serene's mum and greeted her while making my way out. Now I'm crossing the carpark with a former schoolmate Annie Loh, while taking out my dualstem umbrella.
While trying to drive out, I realised the lorry beside my car was swinging inwards when I reversed a little; this was a test measure as I had difficulty moving out. That was where I realised it was park lobsided and handbrake wasnt engaged....and I decided to drive out. While turning out, I saw that lorry swining over the lot and hitting the car in the next lot...for some reasons, my car had no scratches.
Eyes opened. 6:45am.
8:12 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
Finally hitting the end of another week for 3/4 of the month. It's a good thing that I did not call on the Order of the White Stick and I'll keep it that way.
Plans for weights training last night didn't materialise as I had been stuck reading materials online after dinner; I have to try to get this regime going in the morning before hitting the numbers.
Just wondering if the people I had met at the dreams could be something that will take place in time to come?
7:49 AM |
Category: |
Saw myself checked into an old town for a vacation with dearie. However, in this room, there's an old radio which a label 'call reception 5mins later'. There's a story behind this, such that whoever still knows what is happening after hearing the radio's transmission for 5mins, to call the reception. Legend has it that this no one lives after hearing from the cursed radio....
Switchscene shows me in a lecture-theatre like setting where I can see through the glass panel on the side of the room, which lines the staggered edge where seats are fixed. Outside, I could see Ruisheng who just came and I let him in. We chatted a little about where he went and it was just a simple walk around town for him.
Next scene showed us walking around town; there's this man who carried a suit, walking around town and talking to people. After a short observation, I realised he's getting business for his tailor shop at the corner of this row of shophouses; being neatly tucked at the edge, it's not quite noticable even with the flight of stairs just beside it due to the shape and color of the store's entrance.
At one part, I passed by a school and decided to use the building as a sample shot taken through one of my old Nikon lens - it was the 28-70mm but somehow the exterior appears to be that of an AIS build. The school had a sleek panel which I preseume is where the main flight of stairs is, with a mast-like pole jutting to the skies just like those prewar buildings along Carpenter Street.
Evening has come and the town now glowed golden under the sunset rays; it reminded me of those wild west towns which still exists around the world. This place seems pretty accessible and appear to be somewhere near which we can come by to get supplies cheaply.
Eyes open and it's already 7:22am.
8:08 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
A short nap turned out to be an entire night's slumber when I lay on bed at 9ish last night. It was unexpected; while trotting my way to my usual bus stop to get home last night, the late hours are making me a little uncomfortable. Overall still a great learning path for me, but if the hours creep late, it becomes disturbing.
Again, it's a reminder of when will I break out of this lifestyle to do what I really am happy about doing? No matter how much I suppress it, there will always be intervals of when I will 'surface' to have a look at the goal, as if one is in a swimming competition.
It's for the sake of livelihood that I stay on in mainstream so I have to keep on going.
8:30 PM |
Category:
workforce
|
Rainy day.
Fortunately my internal temperature has descended back to the normal range so I can be more at ease. 1 week has gone by without a single run so I have to pick up fast.
Quite a handful of work to be done for the housing renovation which requires some detailed working to choose the right vendor. One of the big ticket items to get over and done with before the next hurdle. Time flies. 4 years of waiting and here we are with keys to a place of our own and we can start working on making it liveable.
There's a handful to catch up at the numbers game but I just have to carry on. Hearing stories of 'sudden disappearance' of previous colleagues does set my mind to think about how this place can be and how far can I go. The next thing to look forward is getting my seat 'stabilised' so I can have one less trouble to be bothered about.
1:29 PM |
Category: |
I entered a building and there appears to be some firearms testing ongoing. A couple of workers werr there to help with the testing. One item was the 7.62mm rounds fires into empty rooms while the other was some kind of flying motar fired from a missile pod which could hold up to 6 rounds. It certainly does look good to be able to use those weapons and fire at will. As I was only a 'witnessing party', I could not partake in the test run.
Next scene shows me moving to another level of the building; as I was distracted by the mountainous seaview midway, I decided to exit and take a walk to the outside. What a beautiful scene that greeted me! Destructive waves could be heard softly lashing against the rocks with grace from such distance, coupled with the breeze. From a couple of levels above, dearie called out to me from the window and informed she's going to the ladies' while I wait.
Next scene shows me entering a room on the 9th floor, which appears to be some air command centre. They are doing flight test runs through mountains; only difference is that the fighter jets are equipped with one large missile above the plane. The pilot appears to be a lady of senior age, a seasoned veteran and over the radio, she has already taken high altitude. Upon clearance, she moved further up to 10,000ft and now we can see the mountains' peak from the live monitor via a 3rd person's perspective. Such a beautiful scene of peace and tranquility.
Another scene shows me going to the gents' and this cubicle has sliding panels just like those shower cubicles with multi-fold doors. Upon exiting (this place appears to be a military camp), I was stopped by a guy and 2 of his men and a body search was conducted. This is where I found my comrades scattered nearby me. The leader appeared quite young and asked me questions which I deem as making things difficult. His men did a thorough frisking while he was seated; that's where I saw his rank as 3WO. Over the questioning session, I used facial gestures to communicate to my comrades that this warrant officer guy was an idiot and was obviously out to pick trouble.
The alarm soon rang and I awoke to the drizzle of the morning rain.
1:16 PM |
Category: |
The smell of phlegm engulfs my nose since I woke up. Cough was somewhat better after taking some Wood's and lozenges. I hope it'll be all gone by tomorrow so that I can enjoy the team building activity, and I need my regular runs to be in place.
At least the post of the recent trip are going smoothly so I can clear them out batches by batches; quite a handful of backlogs there which I need some time to clear on top the mindpacked number game in the day. Whole new world, some might say and certainly gets more interesting as the days go by.
Quite a hot weather this morning, so we might all be expecting rain in the afternoon.
8:12 AM |
Category: |
The number game has reached midweek; I'm still recuperating from URTI though there's much lesser signs of yellow phlegm. It doesn't feel good to have this kind of lightheadedneas but since I'm still on probation, it'll only be detrimental if I am absent; so I have to hang in there.
So far things are manageable; no matter how tough the going gets, I have to hang in there.
Been almost a month since I'm back from that womderful trip and finally got a chance to do some post of the photos last nite, even at the mental fatigue state and a little unwellness within. Anyhow, I managed to rest a little earlier in hope for a sudden full recuperation today - not there yet but at least much better than 2 days ago.
Probably it's a chain reaction due to the 'jumpstart' run on Saturday evening but I won't want to use that as an excuse - I just have to run more to fortify the immune system.
8:14 AM |
Category: |
Saw myself in a villagelike place where a Japanese warlord was having negotiations with another of similar rank. It seemed like it's a norm for warlords to also seize the woman of their rival should they win a duel. Next part of the village had multi-tiers ans I landed up in one of the tiers which faced the street soccer court; the only difference about this 'room' apart from others is the reinforcements built on the window as it has the best and closest view of any matches that goes on.
As I moved higher, I could see a more panaromic view of the place which we all are living on - seemed like an island with little human interference (ie concrete buildings) and full of nature at full glory.
When my eyes opened, it was already 6:30am but decided to rest a little more. How I wish to see such beautiful scenes again.
8:09 AM |
Category: |
It's been a month since I had a good run as such. Did my favourite 10km route around Sengkang which took me slightly off an hour, but I'm still intact. Could be better after a few trails but that pair of seasoned Asics has to go.
Temperature ascended quickly into the evening after the run that soon, I was running a temperature. Seems like a case of more electrolydes loss but in any case, I have to keep up with massive hydration. Hope it's not a sign of heat injury as I have none of those:
10:00 PM |
Category: |
Dearie and I booked this resort which was set on a kelong like building which was surrounded by boats parked along this area. We were shown to our rooms and it was actually a dormitory which could house up to 8 people but ony 2 of us were staying here.
While flipping through the bedding, I notice a girl laying sideways beneath the covers and asked if she was staying here after confirming she isn't someone dead. She just laid there sideways quietly, dressed in pyjamas and kept staring at the adjacent wall. Being curious, I asked what was she looking at and she pointed out to me while mentioning 'jiejie' (Chinese word for elder sister) and described that "she" is there and has non-symmertical shaped eyes. A glance in her said direction showed me nothing.
It came a little disturbing as "the real thing" now; next scene showed me waking up afternseeing the door being swung opened with no one and curtains flapping to no wind. Learning of this presence, I called out to '小倩' to request not to disturb. Soon, some commotion from the space downstairs (there's now a Chinese temple) could be heard, where an exorcism ritual was going on. A man was being thrown hard on the floor from above head height but yet could still get up, while grunting aggressively in an unfamiliar tone which obviously was not his voice. The 'kelong style' resort had now turned into a place built on solid grounds. After he was cleansed and regained consciousness, I chatted up with him and he shared his experiences during the struggle.
Since I was up, I decided to take a walk and saw Curren hauling some noodles in a stall while sampling them; it seemed like he was working there. Since there were no orders, we decided to sit down for some drinks to catch up.
Eyes opened at 6:50am. It was like the closest encounter of the supernatural presence.
7:58 AM |
Category: |
The 8th ICT is over for the men and just 2 more days for the commanders like myself.
Though short, the slideshow at the closing certainly brings back memories of what all of us had gone through together. Despite being tough, I can't find more words to express the trememdous effort made by everyone in a way or the other that made us who we are in our own identity.
Today was filled with fun through array of games such as archery, fastball, dodgeball and a watersports event, before we had a very interactive session with CGO, where points raised by fellow NSMen have been duly noted (and hopefully effectively addressed and worked on thereafter). Some have got promotions too and the best news for those who have MRed and are thereafter the Freemen.
2 more ICTs and all of us will finish this journey.
Let's hope everyone will continue staying in touch in a good way or the other.
9:49 PM |
Category:
ICT
|
Rest day for all of us.
The continuation on planning of the trip while nursing a loss of voice from the mild overheating at the dinner on Friday's nights off hangs over, but at least some progression is made. Just a little more to make the picture complete.
Since tomorrow's a cohesion event for the ICT, most of us are not staying in camp tonight as there's no breakfast catered for us tomorrow so I decided to go back to camp in the morning. As the usual long drive to the West, I have to retire early for the night so as to wake up at 5am tomorrow.
9:53 PM |
Category:
ICT
|
IPPT for the 2nd run catered for the failures who didn't make it on the first attempt on the 2nd day. Fortunately for me, I only needed to do the broad jump to lock in a pass for this window which I couldn't pass at the earlier attempt.
Aside that, most of the time were spent on the administration before we ended the day after lunch. Programs had been pushed forward so as to free up the afternoon. Bunks had been returned to the training department so they have catered for those who may want to stay in at the end of the day for next week.
A few of us stayed up a little later than usual to chat since its the last night in the bunks for the men who will be outproed on Monday and we had a good time chatting about how our NS life was (for me as an ex-regular), common sports such as marathon, badminton and that we can arrange to meet outside NS times for such activities. Weiqiang was humorous in his ways when he shared his unpleasant encounters with cyberfriends, while. Kim Yong and Terry shared about the various people they have met during thei active days. I too, shared about those unusual people that have crossed my path. It's the past and I'm glad that the bad ones are out of my life.
An afternoon for everyone to spend time with their loved onces before we all meet again on Monday.
9:59 PM |
Category:
ICT
|
I was making my way back to office after a morning appointment and met up with Huiting, a long time friend who was in the advertising sales business and we walked together since her bus stop was near mine. We chatted and she asked if she can also go to my office to make sales which I told her that she could try if and it'll be good if she can close her deal.
When I reached my office block (it resembled Everitt Building), I bumped into some colleagues whom I greeted casually while telling Huiting that she'll need to obtain a visitor pass from the security counter before going up.
Soon, I found myself making mt way to my office (a call centre which brings back some memories); as it was also my first day, I found an available seat and settled myself there (no one seems to be guiding me for the day as it seemed a busy morning); the team leader's name was Motsu or something but he was not Japanese - seems like a nice guy though after hearing one of the team members requesting to change shift.
Eyes opened, 7:45am.
9:10 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
Today's visitors who visited the
house, which was occupied by a family which was considered rather influential in their time, had been preserved in this town which remained as a historical
site. Visitors who spotted a phantom mother carrying a baby at the top
corner of the house, and a recurrence of a girl jumping to her death will be told the story.
Set in a Wild West type of the 19th century, there was this family who had a lot of kids. The mother who has a strong influence over her kids always had ways to deal with them whenever anyone is misbehaving.
Their house was somewhat huge; made red bricks without any plastering finishes (that was the style of houses during that time). Having a block just for accomodation and its permeter stretches to a considerable area of vegetation which appears to be their own garden or plantation.
Whenever the eldest daughter misbehaved, the mother will order her to sleep in a basement room which was somewhat like an "isolation cell" in a detention centre as she has the tendancy of creating a nuisance whenever her mother is taking care of her youngest brother who was still very much a toddler. Little did the mother know that this room which her daughter was made to stay in had a reason why she would always resist going in whenever she was punished.
The basemetnt of the house was reinforced with wooden beams. A walk down to the "isolation cell" took about 5 minutes and the path is dimly lit by oil lamps that lined it loosely. Whenever the eldest daughter had to sleep there, she had to walk there alone, sleep for a night and only allowed to return to rejoin the rest the next morning. The nights got creepier whenever she sees a shadowed pair of legs as if someone was sitting at the edge of the platform above her room and kicking the legs in a playful manner.
On one tragic night, the daughter, who had already grown up over the years, had already got considerable fear of that scene and when she snapped, she ran all the way back to the residence block at night, up the 7th floor and jumped to her death.
That is why whenever visitors who were spooked by the jumping scene will always see other objects in place as if someone had threw it down from the building.
The next scene showed one of the villagers running out to prevent military forces from invading the village. Fortunately, no one was hurt as the troops were attempting to move in via trucks.
I was last seen narrating the story and giving the model of the house a wipe; but as my fingers moved near the spot where the phantom mother was spotted, I could feel a gust of wind, and quickly covered the whole model in the white sheet of cloth.
Eyes opened, it was already near 10am.
10:59 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
Got a call from this number but I decided to hang it up as my research has found this to be a call from some outsourced call centres.
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/31062039
If you do receive such weird call numbers, do not answer.
4:57 PM |
Category:
who called?
|
Haze seemed to be floating in the air but there has been no spells of rain last night - probably in the early hours of the morning.
It's the 37th day of being a mercenary. It certainly isn't as cushy as
working for someone; and it certainly stretches the mind of a person to
achieve things that cannot be attained while sticking to a set of rules
and doing 'fixed' things. Not meant to belittle anyone but it's a
constant reminder to stay positive and keep going.
Another chance to move out today and see the people moving outside after endless hours of "chamberworks" in my very homely battlestation. It can get too comfy at times so sometimes it's good to move out and get some fresh air.
Had the chance to meet up with Richard at his usual hangout this evening with some catch up and post...it was fun getting to meet up with him while learning some cool tricks on the self-taught photoshop.
Let's hope there's another chance to meet soon while I continue my routine clearout.
11:40 PM |
Category: |
Nights had been filled with adventures as I constantly see myself in places, sometimes familiar places when I close my eyes and slip into slumber. As much as the lostlessness in sleep, I always try to make myself enter slumber via the astral travel entrance mode and it seemed effective somehow.
After a night of movies on The Hunger Games, though the show wasn't that impressive except for fancy dancy props and costumes, I saw myself set out in a jungle-like environment where I have to pit my own survival - but this is without the contestants 'tributes' and the necessity to eliminate them.
It's more like an exploration journey into the woods - one that is lush and deep as far as one's mind can imagine. Definitely not something with human disturbance / artificialism like that of Singapore.
I should explore this place tonight in detail.
10:15 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
Woke up on an early schedule despite only having entered slumber near 3am.
The usual routine began after my morning rush of clearing PTCs. More pressure needs to be applied to develop the shutter business, so much so that now I am very much on my own. I had managed to keep myself awake till it was near dinner time before I took my rest and realised it was already after dinnertime when I woke up. Weather indeed was getting warmer as one could even perspire with the fan directed at him shaded away from the sun.
By 9pm, I decided to call it a day and caught The Hunger Games. Not as impressive as how catchy the poster appeared to be but I'll just keep this movie for now.
4:00 PM |
Category: |
Very much time spent indoors except for the short evening run did at the tougher terrain despite - the sun had went up without much expectation and hence the run got a little challenging.
Another weekend is coming to an end and so is the beginning of another week for the mercenary. I have to keep moving.
10:00 PM |
Category: |
A scene showed us in a stranded vehicle in the middle of nowhere as we encountered viper-like humans and mutants, where the primary defense weapon were shotguns and rifles. Their main purpose of capturing women was to breed their own race and relied on looting to make their living. It was somewhat like Hills Have Eyes. The battle was gruesome and tough as we used the most gruesome method to kill them; fortunately they were unable to get any of us.
Next scene showed our reinforcement which uses a whip, stringing them up and with one flick, the mutants are turned to dust. The close attack which I lured one of the vipers to the back of our "base" (ie stranded vehicle) gave me the opportunity to blow the head off in one good shot with a MR-153 shotgun.
The next scene showed me at a truck-stall where dearie and I visited a hawker selling frozen sushi; he took out a salmon and struggled a little as he sliced off on section we wanted with his chopper; while doing so, he explained to us a little how to select a good grade of salmon; some of them had saw-like teeth and the front of the jaws were protruded like that of a crocodile / alligator. Some were even short and stubby in body shape like a banana which measured about 50cm long.
The last scene showed a field display of body parts being hung up and as I was talking to a "native" cannibal and the setup was like some display for ministerial visit; the cannibal told me that these are edible but I told him that it's displayed for the sake of displaying - I could dress up as a cannibal but will eat fruits later rather than eating these "leftovers". As he started to hang those parts up, I walked out of the area and saw several of such displays.
10:20 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
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I saw myself at this place which looks like an overview of Italy and I was talking to Kate (Evangeline Lily) about how fun it will be if we can be jettisoned across the country and see things in a different manner via some interesting device that will send us spinning. Imagine mounting a GoPro and the video results will definitely be interesting!
Next scene shows us doing some rigging work which was somewhat like one of the scenes in the TV serial, Lost, and I was chatting with here and there's this other guy who was also there. From our conversation, it was quite clear that she has it on me and it certainly heightens the feeling of "working closely on survivorship".
At a casual conversation, I asked if she wanted some tips to stay slim and gave her some fresh bananas; and told her briefly that these goes for 70 cents a piece at one of those booths at the bus interchange back home (we certainly were away from home for awhile). Soon, we managed to rig up a rope made up of lots of wires we needed to lower ourselves from this mountainous area to a lower ground. Hurley (Jorge Garcia) was also there to lend a hand while this place we stood now appears to be a rooftop with only the windows to the attic to be seen.
The plan had now somewhat changed to mountain climbing as Hurley, Kate and I discussed about the easiest way to get from Singapore to one of the mountains and then back home. Hurley suggested we could drive up and then we do the climbing, and then drive back, but our discussion came to an agreement that we can take a flight go the nearest town and then back home as everyone could be quite worn out and too tired to drive after the climb.
Eyes opened; it's 8:10am .
9:00 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
One of the days where I head out on some exploration but for the moment, things shall be kept covert till are in place.
The slumber hours can sometime work in pendulum order so I have to swing it proper to accordance to my schedule, especially if I have something on in the morning.
Though it can be amazingly warm outside, indoors is cooler but once the night comes, every jet of wind from the fan seemed to be radiating heat from the sunlight...I hope this is just a seasonal part of the year; though I have high tolerance for heat, it can be quite disturbing when you have too many "friends" coming into to feed off you "in the heat of the summer".
5:00 PM |
Category: |
Today marks the end of the first 30 days of "mercenaryship" - the game of play is certainly very different as compared to that of an employee.
Looks like there's a missed run this week but I should be able to catch up by the next week as it had been pretty hectic lately. The entrace to slumber might once again be in challenge.
8:37 PM |
Category: |
I was loaded into this program which a professor made a defensive, smart battle suit for modern warfare and I was given the honor to test it.
In this scenario, I was given a mission to neutralise and eliminate the enemy forces with tact and stealth; something that resembled Metal Gear Solid's style of combat. The smart battle suit has a different array of weaponary, such as traquilizing darts, small light attack weapons as well as pyrotechnics.
Moving through a small array of corridors, I fired an autocannon-like projectile that could bounce off walls like the Gemini laser in Megaman 3 as one of the quarry had spotted me and since had engaged in noise-disciplined combat that involved dodging between walls, hiding behind pillars and the sort.
When we moved towards the room at the U-shaped corridor, a few more of his accomplices could be seen coming through the main door and some had been hit by my "gemini-autocannon" which I fired from a forecasted trajectory. Intel has informed me of the incoming earlier and I had moved into a room which resembled the kitchen. After checking the other rooms, which appeared to be storerooms where chambermaids get their supplies for replenishin guest rooms, this was the best place for combat.
The quarry who had been following trailed me into this room and the real combat began. I tugged him from left to right, lodging my knee into his stomach just like how Tony Jaa fought, and threw him hard on the ground. He tried fighting back but my combat skills being sharpened, continued whallopping him hard with a series of elbow and knee attacks till he was quite "well done"
It certainly felt good but that was only where I realised this was not reality. I opened my eyes and saw it was already 7:40am; more than an hour away from my scheduled awakening time.
8:40 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
Got this call after I rejected their first attempt to call me at an earlier number. The rule of thumb is not answer these overseas calls.
4:47 PM |
Category:
who called?
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I had just written back to Magi Communications, highlighting their irresponsibility in responding to the severity of my feedback. Timeliness, ethic and repsonsibility were the burning issues which I had raised to them this time.
IPDC has also been informed who has finally responded after numerous emails sent to IDA (who obviously didn't respond timely) so I had not choice but to write to this branch of the local authorities. I've left the case with them to see if they wish to educate the Magi Communications on this matter.
1:56 PM |
Category:
who called?
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Got a call from this number which I derived is a number from China. Who might this be since I don't know anyone there?
1:23 PM |
Category:
who called?
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Got a call from such strange numbers again. Wondering if it could be some syndicate scam who will pluck our numbers from the internet.
From my research, I came across this page where many people have also received a call from such a number; and the person calling is PRC native who claims some kind of "prize scam" which has been getting very common lately:
whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/99001
I decided to ignore the call.
1:25 PM |
Category:
who called?
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I got a call from this number and it appears to be an outsourced company, AMG, appointed by StandChart to market their personal loan products. The lady who answered my call told me there was a promotion on personal loan.
It's another case of an unsolicited telesales call and I told her to remove my number immediately from her calling list.
2:52 PM |
Category:
who called?
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The above numbers I have gathered are from the company called Magi Communications whom I had wrote in directly to their CEO and have also lodged a complaint with MICA and IDA on the persistant calls I had received from them.
Last response was since Mar and April from both the culprit and ministry whom I have not heard to date; it's really saddening how some parties are not putting their part to stop these cheap tricks pulled by companies.
Let's see how long they will take to respond this time.
2:14 PM |
Category:
who called?
|
I saw myself walking through this corridor of a heritage town which were made up of pre-war building, and saw Rui En who was standing at one of the corridors waiting for me with a sweet smile on her face.
For a moment, this seemed too good to be true as it was a personal encounter with her right face to face in person. That whole scene appeared to be a sweet love story which seemed like those seen in television shows where a couple appears to be madly in love...
Switchscene now shows us chilling out in a quiet corner just enjoying each other's company just like any couples who want the world to themselves; we could see each other snuggling up each other's noses and foreheads while sitting in this quiet cafe.
My eyes opened and it was already 8am - decided not to go for the shoot this morning as I could still feel the drag from yesterday's shoot.
8:00 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
Part of the day was spent doing commercial photography - this was seemingly the only thing that can wean off some of my energy at a considerable level.
The journey was quite a ride as it was somewhere in the western part of Singapore.
Much of the evening was spent keeping dearie company after a hard day's work and the long journey back from the sweltering heat of the afternoon - weather had been really warm lately.
A reminder for me to commence the Athlete's Journey soon.
2:11 PM |
Category: |
Day 5. Spent most of my time outdoors as that's one way of ensuring productiveness and keeping the comforts of distractions at home away from myself.
Had some equipment check done prior to moving out at the right time. This time, lunch was bought from Yummy Rice Box which was a dollar cheaper than that rip-off neighbouring stall which I patronised yesterday.
Lee Kong Chien Library had now become my usual hang out. Besides working on my Macbook, I can see interesting sights of people who doze off after reading some materials as the library staff has to do their patrols and spot those who sleep in these premises. I had just enough time to meet my colleagues for a dinner whom I had not seen for a week. Everyone appears good and we had a good time chatting.
Decided to take a walk around Marina area and parted our ways at City Hall MRT station. There'll definitely be another meet up in time to come.
9:50 PM |
Category: |
It's Day 4 now.
The operative of Escape from Colditz continues as I found myself a quiet spot in Lee Kong Chien Library where I could spend more time hanging out and having my own space.
A man in his late 40s had been sleeping at a corner for awhile, so much so that the library security people had woken him up, but he wiggled around and returned to sleep for the next few hours till his phone started to ring. That was the only time he was seen awake and subsequently he moved out from this place.
Lunch was from a store beside one called Yummy Rice Shop which charged me $3.70 for a simple combination of vegetables and meat; no wonder there was no queue there; so this will be the one and only time I will patronise it. Oh well, maybe lack of patrons so the profit margin is increased for each serving sold but the price is really horrendous.
Had the evening spent with dearie and her family as her relatives had done some massive cooking and invited some of us over; one of the places where the warm company is found, before and after I head out to the world for battle.
11:30 PM |
Category: |
Day 3. Saw someone for an opportunity for the next ship, but things aren't confirmed till an offer is made; so that occupied the first half of my day.
As I was clothed in an attire which should be minimised on soiling, I decided to head back to get it soaked and ready for washing soonest. Much of the rest of the day was spent indoor, trawling the web for opportunities and getting in touch with my 2 younger colleagues who wanted to meet for a meal the day after tomorrow. Guess there's a considerable amount of fellowship in this small group. Well that's rather consoling as my previous stints had been on quite a solitary basis; seemed like my absence from those places were not noticed. Anyway, moving out from those places were necessary maneuvears.
The search must continue. This phase might just be the path to that of a true mercenary.
12:57 PM |
Category: |
2nd day as a mercenary since that departure; the sensation of that vodka insurge was certainly considerable though I can still hodl it quite well despite quite a long hiatus.
Weather has been quite fine so far, hence I decided to head out. This was also part of the "Escape from Colditz" plan which must continue till the next ship sets sail. Let's see how things turn out tomorrow when I see another possibility of "landing dock".
Being near hometown doesn't have much to facility to sit even after the lunch hour, hence I decided to pick this place. Also, I was on the hunt for something which can "unify" the carrying of my mobile devices. Managed to catch a couple of movies after clearing out the old harddisk that used to live in my PC before it konked on me, and now used as the core for one of the media players.
4 more hours before I head back so it'll be a good opportunity for me to do some street shooting since X-Pro 1 is with me today.
2:27 PM |
Category: |
Awoken on the similar schedule after seeing a dream that the CBD area is once again fogged with that haze outbreak that was swept over from Indonesia almost 3 weeks ago. Once again, the familiar smell of burnt wood filled the air and I could remember how the path of light could be seen visibly when I shine a torch in a pitch dark room.
When my eyes opened, it was a moment of sheer silence since the "derailment" took place last Friday - just another description of how things are moved offtrack momentarily. Indeed, it's good news that I am missed there despite being quite short-lived.
Life still has to go on so I just got myself more time to do what I have been lacking time to do with; my 2 side engines which are now taking "command" for the moment.
Since I have a little more time, I decided to get that media player working by watching a couple of movies on it, along with some Vodka mixed with green tea; it's definitely gonna make the evening more enjoyable.
6:28 PM |
Category: |
The final battle has finally commenced and it certainly was the "every minute of tension" session.
Finally the time came for me to bid this warm group of people farewell. The last gesture from the "SAM site" I had been working with, was certainly something surprising as I had least expected as the previous hours had been tense.
By 6pm, I had passed everything over to the newest collegue on the block and it was time to leave. Everyone shook hand with me and I had to brace up and take the final walk out of this place.
The final tune of "Three Kingdoms" played in my mind and I gave my final word to a collegue who joined me on the same time to take care of my "successor".
Dinner could only be done near midnight; a solo dining at Macdonalds as that was the only thing edible at that hour...I guess this gate's closed for better things this time round; so the next step may just be something very different.
A late night ended with many thoughts after seeing the preview of a local TVs' Chinese channel's documentary, "Off the Path".
11:19 PM |
Category: |
Everyone was forced to evacuate a cathedral where many pious people were seen kneeling and praying as there was a danger of the an opposing military force which was clearly our to ravage the land. The era appeared in the setting of somewhat the Victorian era where people of the cathedral were dressed in flowy robes.
I was framing and snapping the people around through various angles; through the window, across the courtyard or simply in the plain halls. This was for the purpose of 'digital refuge' where I try every possibility to get everyone into my shots.
The scene suddenly changed to one clearing out for a badminton game which included people like Steven Chia, one of the ex-comrades during my green days. He passed me some money to get small bottles of water (all said through sign language as there were vocally-disabled people among us). The game was at a community centre's hall that appeared to be at Tampines Central.
When I exited the place, I could not find any convenience stores that sold drinks and walked for awhile and appeared at Vivocity. One of the shops lined outside should have it, but I still could not find it after going through several stores. The last resort was to take a spaceship like transport that I was led to after entering an arcade centre where I had to board this cockpit, using the joystick navigation to move myself to my desired destination through a combination of a certain set of moves. After alighting, I realised that this "carrier" is catered only for women with young children....oops.
Soon I found myself radio-ing back to the badminton players in the hall that I can't go back to join them for the game; and this was already after I had left the place for several days.
Soon, my eyes opened and I found myself on my bed; it's 7am and time to get up for part of the final run in this battlestation exit journey.
8:00 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
A night rider's journey for the evening to Malaysia had proved interesting as I could see how things are during a weekday evening. Considering being a weekday, it is pretty packed at the Causeway.
Flood puddles could be seen near KSL City at the usual entrance where I turn in. By the time I reached the mall, they were already winding up for the day. It was one of those 'solo mission' trips which I've not done for awhile.
Despite requiring a little mental endurance after a battlestation manning day, this trip had been made in succession. Another of such will be planned.
11:30 PM |
Category: |
Another venture into the country which I have visited and loved the most: Australia.
This time, I appeared in a part of the town which was in the heart; one could see streets filled with people, road traffic rolling smoothly across and a signboard that read 'Marydove' that indicated the name of this town.
Atop the bus stop, there was a map of the bus routes which was a complex array considering the number of bus services that goes through this town. I had boarded a Bus No 26 which brought me downtown where it was less crowded. The exploration begins again as like the previous journey where I travelled alone and made my way around with maps.
Next scene showed me leaving a rocky-terrained planet like place where the Dynasty has met again; seemingly another group trip. Kevin was wesring this strange cap which has a vehicle registration plate mounted on it.
It was after our jolly chat that I suddenly opened my eyes and realised it was a dream; so pleasant that I didn't feel like coming back here. I'll definitely revisit Australia.
8:18 AM |
Category: |
One of the ususual lunches I had today; the company of The Young Ones as I usually lunch alone. I guess there's always a reason I only display one facade of myself in the face of the battlestation life which I am working to move out, all the time.
In the face of the diminishing beam, of light, the step of exit grows closer. Some of my peers are envious of me, some sad but I guess the best things to hold on is always the great fellowship we have despite the tough times we have had.
In less than 7 days will I step out of this place. Till now, the departure is still kept low despite being made known to those within the department.
Since the data at home is on a massive shifting, ie my cyber-housekeeping, this is a good time to update my blog here as I have been immensely busy the past few weeks. In a wink of an eye, the evening has entered the late hours, beyond the hours that one can explore malls. I'm just looking forward for the week to transit over smoothly before the next and final week.
Hope the cyber-housekeeping is done by now so I can retire for the evening.
12:01 AM |
Category: |
The heat can be felt even while standing in the shade while awaiting for the bus' arrival.
Today begins the offical countdown of Exit Path. The news came as true as what I saw through dreamland that I had to go; just that the notice in reality was something that sounded better. Looks like my hunt several months ago came for the right purpose.
Seems like this is what some people might call an 'annual break' season that requires me to break off from the main track and move into something else before rejoining the 'main force' when time is right. Hopefully in the long run, I would've broken off from the main track and running well on my own.
Had quite a mindful before I could fall asleep proper so most likely I have to turn in abit earlier tonight.
8:17 AM |
Category: |
Day 3 of the a conventional slumber. The fan continues to spew hot air but at least I've killed 3 mozzies this evening who had been the residents feeding on me solely for the past few days, depriving me of proper slumber and studding my legs with mosquito bites.
Tonight I have no choice but to keep the windows shut; ar least this will keep the mosquitoes from entering my room since its rather near to vegetation. With 2 fans at work, tonight should be a much better slumber; most importantly I hope I have eliminated all the freeloader mozzies living in my room.
The heat reminds me of how the locals in Cambodia live since the country's relatively warmer than Singapore. Guess this season is one time I get to experience it
Midweek cometh...I should go out for a walk and not be cooped at home after battlebox hours.
1:17 AM |
Category: |
I took this landcruiser like transport which hovers above ground and went through various mountainous areas. At first, the climate was in the artic zone and soon, it turned to temperate and I no longer see the icy mountains. At one scene, I was taking a dip on a steep downslope; that was where I realised I was moving downhill from mountain peak.
Next scene shows me with several troops, some weree deployed in Zone A while the rest were in Zone B; mission appears to be a perimeter security type. All of us were issued weaponary and I had the P226 strapped around my waist by landyard. At one area we patrolled, the ground started to crumble down in a patterned manner, and every part of the ground were equally segmented; at this point in time? I whipped out my DSLR to get the 'everyone in action' shot. Soon, the mission was over and there was the Master Transport Specialist warrant officer who ushered all of us back for trooplift as there was a huge, crane-like vehicle involved: one of them had a tipper tailboard which could swing well over our head with ample clearance as it was shapes like a scoop, tapered back from the vehicle's tail length.
Eyes opened; 7:19AM.
8:22 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
Saw myself in this ammo base like camp which reminded me of those days when I was on course and had to walk across the bridge to the next camp for other training sessions.
The setup this now looked little different; lots of trees as if we were in Botanic Gardens as we had to do a run which was about 10ish km, where I saw some ex-comrades like Norman Kee (he was a well-known gold medalist for the IPPT) and after running several rounds, I got bored and decided to head out of camp to run. The road the left of the camp's exit after downhill of about 100m was covered in thick weeding and being dim-lit, I could not ascertain the depth of the shroud and decided to head the other direction.
After a run and heading back, I noticed the guardhouse at the foot of the hill now is being used, painted in pale grey and shielded by 2 converging walls, making the entrance to the sentry post unit rather narrow. There seemed to be a bridge nearby that allows one to cross over to reach the camp premises directly. I saw my ex-comrade Bee Peng where we exchanged smiles to greet each other.
Eyes opened at 7am and I realised I was in bed.
8:29 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
The continuation of the next trip planning has been done with dearie. Though it didn't take a long time, we managed to finetune part of the itinerary.
Hence the evening was pretty well spent though I have alot of post to be done for the recent Cambodia trip.
8:21 AM |
Category: |
Massive planning for the next trip with dearie; this time, it's right down to details of how to get around, fares, travel times and things to see / do at these designated places. The planning so far have been quite smooth; what's left is to slot in those dates for the later part of the trip.
Considering the duration, there might be places we are unable to visit so I guess we have to arrange for those separately.
8:25 AM |
Category: |
The first day of the stormy week begins with overloading and unloading. In a wink of an eye, the clock has read 6pm and I am still doing the massive unloading.
A considerable amount from the fuel cell has been depleted that a bath brings back some freshness - nevertheless an earlier night was called for considering more battle the following day.
In less than a week's time I will be off from this island for the 'Tomb Raider' journey along with The Dynasty - a clique of extraordinary fellowship which had stood for 2 decades.
After that series of unsuccessful attempts of clearing one of the 2 cursed paper, things no longer look bright and it looks like time to route for an alternative battleship. This is the only option to stop that financial wastage and having fresher air. Look forward to the end of the day once again.
8:13 AM |
Category: |
Certainly a hot day but managed to get lots of things done within a short morning.
Weather had taken an incline after the fiery afternoon; a sign of a descend in temperture. On my watch, temperature reads as high as 35 degrees Celcius. "Bring the rain" and looking forward to a cooling afternoon.
Giving my new Apple bluetooth keyboard a test run this afternoon to access the comfort and ease of use; it certainly has fared well considering the ingenious invention.
4:23 PM |
Category: |
Done my first run this evening on the huaraches which has been owned for a couple of weeks.
The feel of the run was totally different as one can feel the ground considering the sole thickness is only 6mm. Minimal power loss; except for the shoes which require tweaking to rid of those blisters and abrasions.
The run took me less than an hour and after the run, I still feel pretty energised after the run.
Hope the blisters get well soon so I can be on the track again with these huaraches.
11:21 PM |
Category:
Athlete's journey
|
Insanity start for rhe week as I could only depart tehe battlebox almost an hour later than the usual planned time. That left me very limited time in the evening to wrap up on the revision.
The only 'fortunate' thing is some peace throughout the day. Maybe everyone's too occupied hence there was the no noise period.
Anyway the necessary revision was still done as the second last wave before the paper tomorrow.
8:28 AM |
Category: |
Back to the reality of battlebox where I have to play the prediction game witht the SAM site again.
The weekend was wonderfully wrapped up as I was able to spend the day with my loved ones before the battle week commences. Except for the discomfort of the sunburn, all was great.
Due the exams tomorrow, I have been on a 'cease fire' phase for personal photography matters till I've cleared these papers. It can be such a torn situation as I have to fulfill this part of the papers while getting the other part done out and going effectively on the right track. Anyhow, I have to manage it.
Coming to think about the inflexibility of the manangement after I got one of the papers really irked me, as that deemed I have been making losses since I acquired some of the papers. The next question would be how long can I endure here before I take the escape pod...
2 more weeks for a longer break again; I hope I would have only one paper left by then to clear so I can concentrate on this without a worry for the next.
8:14 AM |
Category: |
Recovery day.
Spent most of the time indoor doing up post for the recent trip and the time to keep dearie company. All of them enjoyed savouring some of the catch which I brought for them that was obtained yesterday from the deep seas.
The evening came and I found myself falling asleep for an hour before preparing myself to head home for the evening.
11:00 PM |
Category: |
Little did I expect this to be a boat trip till I learnt it from Kevin after the impromptu outing on Friday.
The set off was pretty early as we have to reach Desaru by 8am as the chartered boat leaves at 8:30am. Rise and shine at 3:41am and by the time I reached Rickson's place, it was about 4:45am and we managed to get some food and baits from the nearby market at Kevin's place.
Customs was cleared by 7am and we reached Desaru via the new expressway, E22 by 8am. Quite a fast journey considering also the higher speed limits and fewer traffic while we made our way there.
The place was set just by the beach - a typical village by the sea type of residency. Cats and dogs could be seen running around the village where boats are parked on the trailer beside houses. We boarded the boat around 8:30am and set off in the faraway sea where we can no longer see land. Kevin's intent was to have a look at the lighthouse but it was already destroyed by a shipwreck some time ago. As the water was also too choppy, we decided to head to another location.
We settled beside a large vessel, named "Ocean Nymph" which the dock was really high up and we could not see any human activity. The catch was pretty good here with my trusty tambang hooks.
By the time we were done, it was already almost 4pm and we reached the coast line by about 5pm. Washup done and we made our way for dinner at Jusco Tebrau City before heading back home.
As I have not been here for awhile, it took me awhile to get back to the right road to head back to Singapore. Traffic was really congested for a Saturday evening too.
Crash and burn for the night after unpacking, cleaning of the car and washing up of the sea-water soiled equipments.
This call came to me several times but I have been able to ascertain who it is as it definitely isn't a local number.
The frequency needs to b monitored.
7:58 AM |
Category: |
Runs are probably one of the best things to do in aiding my entrance into slumber; and I'm glad I has that yesterday night. Though it took awhile to get in, it's definitely worth it.
A morning with some quietness awaits as I took an earlier schedule to reach battlebox; a good time for me to clear up wothout disturbance. Though I see several familiar faces on this earlier bus schedule, none has recognised me in view of the transformed appearance. Also, there was no necessity for this recognition.
Just one more day to hit the end of the week and I can have an extra day to catch up on that revision.
7:55 AM |
Category: |
Just caught the 2004 show 'The Aviator' starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes who was a legend in the aviation history of America.
His obsession in his passion for aviation has certainly brought him far and made history. This continue to set my mind aligned back to where my utmost passion lies and how far it will take me to where I want to be.
I have to grub through my books for the paper next week but at the back of my mind, it still works actively on what I have been working on to keep things going. One thing I should be true to myself is that I am never happy doing what I 'can' do versus what I really like to do and excelling in it.
It's really encouraging to have close people to keep encouraging me on with those papers. I don't know when I will clear them all but for now, I have to keep trying, till I clear them or till I find a better, landing pad where mind can be alleviated of unnecessary mental distress.
The mind will continue staying strong.
12:41 AM |
Category: |
A liking for dilapidated buildings sure has its way to the dreamland.
I saw myself talking to some people who work and manage the estate of Bedok Methodist Church which now is, perched atop of a gentle sloping hill instead of levelled land where it factually is situated.
There are some major facelifting works ongoing, so scaffoldings could be seen everywhere. Aged windows with rusted panes, some with missing glass are seen randomly strewn across several parts of the whole compound where various buildings stood. What amazes me is the glory it holds even in its current state before human activity is resumed.
The caretaker told me that the good thing about this place and not having to worry so much about it is that there is 24 hour security taking care of it; so unwanted outsider cannot have access to the building.
As I dwell at its 'damaged glory', soon I found myself waking up. It's time to get ready to enter battlebox.
8:08 AM |
Category: |
One of the mornigs where I set off much earlier than usual to 'keep the momentum going' as I want to leave on the dot this evening and also have more time out of the SAM site's arc of fire.
It took me awhile to fall into slumber with usual 'sudden entry' into dreamland after laying on bed for more than 2 hours and not having a single whiff of slumber. Might just be another sign of mental destress.
The dreamland world took me to dearie's home which the setup now resembled that of my old home in Bedok North, where the interior was that of '70s Hong Kong setting. The place feels really warm with everyone in it.
If only that moment can last longer; but I have to get up and return to the battlebox.
8:02 AM |
Category: |
It's the consecutive 4th day of heavy shelling from the SAM site. So much so that the dinner has been digested much faster than expected.
It would make a good, and probably positive and miserable way to finish late but since everyone's locking up, that is enough for the day. While I have other things to attend to after the hours of battlebox, it's a constant disturbance to the mental aspect.
As I was in the bus, I saw a spastic boy talkin to himself as if he had a friend. No doubt he was causing some disturbance in the air, it wasn't his choice too. The journey was especially quiet for me as I continue to maintain composed throughout the day right till this moment. There isn't room for any expression of emotions - I have to continue moving ahead till my other avenues are well on-track.
I don't know how long I can last here. Road's getting tougher to walk on but with my tolerance level which also builds up as the day goes by, I have to keep pushing on no matter how much discomfort is building up within.
10:02 PM |
Category: |
I had entered this place which appeared to be some military or national defence agency building, where there was a shop at the first level named 'Laamart'. It took me awhile to get to the ground floor as a lady who seemed to be manning the shop was going down but had quite some stuff to wheel down in a trolley.
At the ground floor, a factory-like place that was sheltered greeted me and at some places where it was barriered up, noises could be heard while some merceneries patrolled along that border that was made up of broken pillars and walls. An operative order soon was issued and the rebels (behind the border) were taken out quickly. We moved in and searched their remains for important information and one of my comrades found a die-cast ancient gun pistol in the possessions of one of the dead rebels.
Next scene showed another part of this sheltered area where it looks more like a equipped workshop; we expected more rebels to come in to reinforce the initial group we took out, so I took the lead and signalled to the rest to get into position for this trike-like vehicle which had just drove in.
All locked and loaded while getting ready for the driver to exit the vehicle; but there was no driver; instead, mounted right in the centre of the cockpit was a minigun, which fired off through the gaps on the sides and rear of the vehicle. Quickly I got my comrades to take cover and it was a near-miss for me as I hopped over the bath on one of the shots. Later it took form a transformed into it's 'offensive mode' and the red-glowed eyes and metal-skull look was seen - so it's another variation of the Terminator models which now disguises itself as a vehicle.
Switchscene to seeing myself as a passenger that went pass the shop 'Laamart' just like how I moved around Penang several months back.
Eyes opened to the sound of thumping door. It's already 7:15am.
8:07 AM |
Category: |
I saw myself in this scene which appeared to be a revisit to an old camp of my last posting during my tour of duty. The only difference is that the walls are greenish and everyone had seemed to just returned from a naval operation as they are all wet with sea water.
Some familiar faces werew seen such as my men from the existing NS unit. At one scene I was talking to an old schoolmate who was from Hong Kong, about getting a sight of him when driving towards Woodlands while he was on an overhead bridge with a friend.
Now I appear in my old home in Bedok North's room and was talking to dearie about my posting to some very out-of-the-way naval camp which was built like a kelong style but it's several hours' boat ride from civilisation; and I will only be back on weekends due to the fact of locality which doesn't permit nights' off.
Eyes opened at 6:58am and I realised I have been sleeping in an oven-like room.
7:59 AM |
Category: |
Atlanta.
It's such a far place yet got so close to my mind as I was reading the post of my remote master on his blog and page.
A flight one-way would take 22 hours from here. Something that I've never ventured before in my life till now. Even if feasible, it won't be in the near future as there are other priorities infront of me to clear first.
It was the last thing that came through my mind - the wondering thought of when I would travel to the USA, right before I fell into a deep slumber.
The dreamland was filled with dreams and visions of going for a photoshoot outing with my peers as well as scenes of some of us in a miltary camp doing IPPT, with a smug warrant officer talking to us as if was very capable (I was whispering to a comrade that these are the types who waste taxpayers' money).
After the test, I walked back to gather with my comrades while bouncing off the ground like an astronaut treading on the moon.
A morning run to stimulate the mind while making this as a return to consistent running.
1:00 PM |
Category: |
It'a a midweek fiersome battle which I had lasted till the time the battlestation had to be locked up. No matter how busy I am, the Angel's Pulse always reminds me of my regular phrase 'I'll be home for dinner'.
Quite a drizzly evening and having departed the battlestationed with lots of things on my mind; I have to find an avenue to relax but it's still better to hang on till the end of the battling week. The intent of not staying back was the need to strike the equilibrium into balance. More pressure can be felt as the new colleague who is fully qualified had came onboard while I still have to drill on those papers till I clear them.
Soon it was time for me to make my way back; the internet at angel's place had this strange behaviour that it starts malfunctioning at 11pm daily for the next few hours. And being a weekday now, it's even more time so for me to get packing.
Angel's wrath could be felt when I was going off.
11:59 PM |
Category: |
This call rang and I suspected this being a scam call hence gave it the heck.
7:36 PM |
Category:
who called?
|
Suspected this as another scam call which came right after the earlier call.
7:36 PM |
Category:
who called?
|
Got a missed call from this number but when I call back, no one answered it.
7:35 PM |
Category:
who called?
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Got this call early in the morning but who could be calling me at this early hour? Searched around but nothing could be found.
9:39 AM |
Category:
who called?
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A day has passed and certainly more peaceful without the presence of a metrological station; but the morning was already an 'introduction' due to IT failure. The 'reactor engineer' had to fix the problem.
Heading home now; the mind is constantly reminded of the Labour Day eve which was a frantic rush, and certainly the night before was not pleasant either. Though the matter is over, a marred heart has been set in place for the situation that had an unnecessary tension.
I wouldn't want to be bothered by these. Those dreaded papers are already enough to make rock my mind considerably and I don't want these petty issues to disturb me.
More learning awaits me.
6:28 PM |
Category:
workforce
|
The break for the middle of the week was certainly well-spent as I was able to catch up with some backlogs.
A break on such a schedule can be quite good as it allows one to recollect and refresh for the rest of the week. Now I am back to the shirt and pants life since that vacation is over; but the mind remains very much at the lesson I back there through my macbook from someone who feeds his family with his camera. I have to go back and learn more from him.
8:22 AM |
Category: |
Got a call from this number and couldn't find any leads to it except from a forum post:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/national-service-knowledge-base-162/mindef-number-3008396.html
Apparently it looks like a MINDEF number but what are they calling me for when I don't owe them anything?
10:06 AM |
Category:
who called?
|
Today is another journey for the next attempt of one of the papers which I have to clear under an ultra time-compression basis.
No weird sorceress like FFVIII but the unspoken internal pressure continues.
I just have to do my best based on the new alignment of revision done yesterday.
1:13 PM |
Category: |
Got a missed call from this number right in the evening but when I call back, no one's answering.
6:34 PM |
Category:
who called?
|
Just ended another endlesss night of book-battling in preparation for the forth battle coming up tomorrow.
When I read the time, the clock always show 1am at least while I am not through with my revision. That has been the routine since I stepped up on revision. Wondering why I still didn't hit the 4-lettered notice that ends my torment on financial wastage had become something unworth thinking about.
Slumber deficiency is now something I have to put up with till the paper's over; and when this is cleared, so will half my torment be lifted.
8:24 AM |
Category: |
The situation now is like the Korean show where e golfer Karl lost his popularity to another golfer.
Not sure if anyone who loves Korean dramas recall this scene where his 'booth' was empty while the other golfer is surrounded by all the typical reporters. Anyhow it's still a good thing for this colleague as everyone is different in their strengths.
Maybe I am just the idiot who is good at squeezing the trigger and making great pictures?
Failure is still not an option for me. The question is, how long. will I have to put up with this?
6:22 PM |
Category: |
The prepartion has once again been retuned for precisipn before the battle; many countless nights of zombification had took place before this.
I went in, did my best; things appear to be in order but I still did not go through. Oh well, so there goes another wastage of my money again and the only option was to resit till I make it. It'll be rebooked on a shorter gap this time though.
Leather shoes, shirt and pants. When can I ever make them a minority attire in my life? It's getting sicklier by the day if I am truthful to myself. There certainly must be more unhealthy reasons that are causing these repeated failures. As it accelerates, the Order of the White has to be called upon more often.
I don't know how much more it's going to cost my lifeforce.
8:13 AM |
Category: |
One of those nights where my mind has also rested so peacefully despite having to be back on the battle track where I have to face the metrological game again. Guess one of the main reasons is having gained a valuable lesson learning from a full-fledged professional yesterday.
The week has been pretty quiet lately as my mind has been pre-occupies with engaging those papers which had been bothering me mentally and blocking out very much of my other activities. I hope very much to clear them soon so that things can move on proper. Otherwise I wouldn't say that the base is stable for me to venture into other things that I have alongside.
Time compression has gone even harder after the 3rd failed attempt. Thereafter, there's another to clear and who knows if that can be a sniper shot. Thinking further on this matter simply irks me and that I must continue seeking means to recuperate my losses.
8:02 AM |
Category: |
Finally a chance to pen down the recent occurences as I had been busy with 'multi-line' setup. Finally things are somewhat settled here.
The battlebox certainly has its reasons to be called one. Just how long would one's stint be able to last? One best way to answer this question is the individual's tolerance level as my predecessor whose stint was 2ish years.
The heavy shelling sessions have long gone lost in counts, but everyone knows what is the main source of tension point. I just have to hang on no matter how tough the going gets till I find my breaking point.
'Escape from Colditz' is ineludible.
6:39 PM |
Category: |
Got a call from this odd number which I suspect is a scam call. From my resources, this is a call made from Romania.
5:53 PM |
Category:
who called?
|
I was in miiltary greens and ran across vast lands; one of them was the police training facility that was atop a hill facing the expressway near Newton. At one of my runs, I ran across the academy facility and stood right at the edge of the camp, with the creeper-infested fence and at one glance, I could see the entire city's skyview nearby.
In my mind, I told myself that this had been the best run that I did. Time to make my way back. The route back was a litle different as I have to move through troops who are on standby; they were in a staggered and loitering formation across several buildings; and I was the only one "charging" around, ducking corners while executing the "check clear" moves before moving ahead.
Next scene showed me passing through the busy streets of HK where a guy who resembled Maverick was running around; there were paparazzi who were squeezing off their dSLRs at the stall he set up at the ground floor where one can see lots of handheld consoles toys and other kids's stuff; at the other end, I was getting to the ground floor on a lift where a guy named "Calvin" was begging; hair was shoulder-length and he was dressed in a vertical-striped white lined shirt against a black background; he tried entering the lift and wanting us to give him some money but both myself and my companion declined and shooed him off. I told her that he has no physical disabilities and is so young, why should we help him this way?
At the ground floor, that was when I saw his stalls set up but he was running around to beg for money instead. It was like another case of a young person who was either retrenched or went bankrupt.
We were up there as we went to visit a lady who was placed in a special ward after getting the "electric shock" theraphy to erase unwanted memories from her - one of those patient who needed special care from mental torment in the earlier stage of her life. She seemed much better now.
Next scene showed this agile guy who was running around; there was this place where there were many concrete pipes stacked together making it resemble a structure that many youngsters like hanging out in; so sometimes it's not surprising you can see a couple of legs sticking out as they lay in one of the cylinders snoozing away. So this cheeky, yet agile guy was moving quickly from left to right, grasping his fingers through the cylinders quickly while shifting himself with his toe-to-drain that was hardly gripping.
There was part where he mischeviously swiped a person and then all of us quickly fled the scene; dearie was with us and we pretended to patronise the stalls along that street selling ladies' stuff while "Maverick" hid on top of the stacked cylinders where this angered person could not find him.
Now I saw myself at another part of Penang with Kevin and Iris, but this is across the road so things looked a little different. Switchback to after browsing through a few put up stalls, the next scene that showed was a truck that drove up and down a very hilly place. The scene now was a scene to nab a notorious crook was in hiding. The final scene before the "destruction" showed him (resembling Liu Qianyi the local senior actor) trying to continue influencing people with drugs, which was input through a cigarette-style consumption apparatus; infact it appeared to be a regular cigarette but the tobacco chamber was seemingly soaked and the smell of the smoke reeked with a very strong odor. Surprisingly, a person who resembled Kevin was one of the victims in this scene. I resisted the crook's offer.
The destruction scene began; "Kevin" told me that I have to preserve his stomach if it is still intact as both himself and the crook slowly ashed from the exterior into total black, volcanic cooled magma-like material; "Kevin"'s stomach and the food pipe could be seen glowing just like the cut-through diagram of the volcano's magma and the channel to the top of the mountain; in an orangy glow with some glitter sparks.
Finally, both the crook and "Kevin" were destroyed and what's left of "Kevin" were strips of grass jelly like material where I had to contain him in one of those blue, stackable trays (similar to those used by bread deliverers). A HK detective bashed through the iron door and I showed him the way where the crook was and what's left. All these had to be brought back for investigation. As for "Kevin" that was all of his remains.
Switchscene brought me back to the hilly area where a truck could be seen; it was driving through endless tall vegetation just like those in corn fields. The truck had a metal frame on the back where some people could be seen. At the other side of the field, this was a part where the vegetation grew in the watery part of the land; and under these vegetation, a lady in white hoody could be seen swimming quietly, without any ruffles to the vegetation, drawing close to the slow-moving truck. She stopped once she got within distance and slowly emerged from the water; and raising her blowpipe.
She had purple hair, blue eyes and some markings on her face which seemed to be from some anime.
Eyes opened, 7:40am.
7:40 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
Got this call; a very weird number which doesn't seem to be overseas and yet could be a local number.
7:00 PM |
Category:
who called?
|
Back to the good old school days where I saw the familiar walls, pillars and casement windows in my secondary school premises. Some of us were looking for this classmate, nicked 'Blur Queen' but somehow she could not be found. There was something we needed to know, but for some reasons, she is not in school.
Next scene shows me in the classroom for examinations. It was a triple paper all to be assessed in a single say. Weiqiang held up the timetable and I scringed at the sight of the schedule.
First paper and the invigilator came in; a caucasian man; Kevin was seated infront of me for this paper. For some reasons, we got the seating arrangement mixed up as it was laterally inverted when we read it earlier, so we had to move.
Switchscene - back to the Three Kingdoms era where a combat took place between Guan Yu and his son, Guan Xin. The battle was intense but at the back of Guan Yu's mind, he had to hold back as he did not want to hurt his son. Seemed like the setting was arranged by Cao Cao, who watched in glee as part of his plan to rid one of the famous of the 5 Tiger Generals.
Eyes opened; no buzzing from clock but iPad read 7:10 am. Time to get ready to return to Bombardment Centre.
.
8:20 AM |
Category: |
Back to the battlestation track.
Finally after another day's rest has the temperature improved, lesser phlegm (though the reek still lingers in my airway) and generally felt much better as compared to Friday. Thanks to my beloved angel for her tender loving care that also contributed to the recovery phase.
That paper is still hanging out there so I just have to re-conquer it.
Another full week again ahead, hope everything runs smoothly daily and especially without any unnecessary mental distress from the Endless Siren back there. One would realise that as time passes, internal factors are the main causes of making people feel sick.
Till then, looking forward to finishing up the day and heading home.
8:05 AM |
Category: |
I entered this town which resembled the busy streets of places like Ho Chi Minh which were packed with merchants, right in the heart of the night market. Street and stall lights could be seen as I walked on the 2nd deck of a multi-storey complex nearby.
Next scene brought me to this concentration-camp type of building which was a little unusual - there were proper classrooms, and even rooms where inmates can watch TV after dinner. In this scenario, I was "sent in" for 7 days for being late to return from a particular meal break - seemed like a reminder of some occurance of my military past.
Somehow, I saw the actress 德馨 in TV and later on, I entered a dream and got to see her in person right there and then.
The next scene showed me in a school where there were several classes; some labelled for law students while some are labelled econs students. There was this classroom I entered which was unlabelled and while my classmates were busy talking to those in this classroom, I took the lead and randomly asked one of the students in the class, in which one of the guys responded and told me that this classroom is occupied for law lessons.
That resolved the mystery and we moved to our correct classroom. It was like back to the good old school days again.
Next scene showed a royal parade where everyone was formally dressed, seated proper and one of the royal was walking down the isle; there were several replays in which the royal was impersonated by someone else; identical countenance except for the hair color. It later turned out the actual royal was a very laid back, boorish person where one of the "footages" showed him yawning loudly, stretching all over while he was walking during the rehearsal sessions of this grand event. Looks like the impersonators behave much better.
Eyes opened. 7:40am. My temperature had finally subsided.
8:31 AM |
Category:
World beyond Dreamland
|
The ultra clot on the airway, unstoppable sniffing, runny nose after several late nights preparing for this 2nd barrier big day ended with a result that was to my great disappointment.
No doubt it was the first attempt, the red four-letter word on the screen after the examination was probably the reason that amplified the illness that I had already been experiencing since morning. Ups and downs throughout the week without a night of decent rest.
Oh well, the day ended with a few phrases. Defeat. Shame, Sick and all the preparation had come somewhat to an abrupt fall into the crevasse. Good news for my colleague who attempted and passed at the 1st attempt, thus avoiding wasting money on this paper.
I have to do this paper again. With only 2 weeks' into the Time Compression Phase, I do not know if anyone can imagine how my evenings and weekends have been spent after leaving the battlestation - just pure mugging and endless mugging. How long will this kind of lifestyle be on going? Occasional breaks like last week will definitely be needed.
The most wonderful thing I had this evening was the company of my beloved angel. It is to my regret that I am not in the pink of health to enjoy the evening with her till I am fully recovered.
11:32 PM |
Category:
workforce
|
The final night of preparation before the big day tomorrow where I have to clear the 2nd barrier, and then the 3rd. All these has to be done by end of this month.
More intensive revision and trail papers done to get myself more familiar with the questions. With the pattern of questions familiarised, the battle should not be too tough. After clearing this barrier, I will have one final to clear before life resumes the normal path for me, both physically and mentally.
The body's not all comfortable as there are signs of rest and recovery needed, but I must hang on and clear this.
11:33 PM |
Category:
workforce
|
