Thursday, October 20, 2005
There Is No God -(By Jim Bishop popular author of 21 books, including "The Day Kennedy Was Shot", died in 1987. This column, written in the 1960s, was a favourite of his wife, Kelly)
THERE IS NO GOD. All of the wonders around us are accidental. No almighty hand made a thousand-billion stars. They made themselves. No power keeps them on their steady course. The earth spins itself to keep the oceans from falling off toward the sun. Infants teach themselves to cry when they are hungry or hurt. A small flower invented itself so that we could extract digitalis for sick hearts.
The earth gave itself day and night, titled itself so that we get seasons. Without the magnetic poles man would be unable to navigate the trackless oceans of water and air, and they just grew there.
How about the sugar thermostat in the pancreas? It maintains a level of sugar in the blood sufficient for energy. Without it, all of us would fall into a coma and die.
Why does snow sit on mountain tops waiting for the warm spring sun to melt it at just the right time for the young crops in farms below to drink? A very lovely accident.
The human heart will beat for 70 or 80 years without faltering. How does it get sufficient rest between beats? A kidney will filter poison from the blooed, and leave good things alone. how does it know one from anoter ?
Who gave the human tongue flexibililty to form words, and a brain to understand them, but denied it to all other animals?
Who showed a womb how to take the love of two persons and keep splitting a tiny ovum until, in time, a baby would have the proper number of fingers, eyes and ears and hair in the right places, and come into the world when it is strong enough to sustain life ?
There is no God ?
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Interesting article given today when i was in GP class today, probably the last GP class ever in my education life. Really meaningful piece, fully articulates my belief of a higher supreme being. religion aside, heres another poem from another article from eddie koh.. talking about the risks of human life. another life enriching piece I draw alot of meaning from.
THERE IS NO GOD. All of the wonders around us are accidental. No almighty hand made a thousand-billion stars. They made themselves. No power keeps them on their steady course. The earth spins itself to keep the oceans from falling off toward the sun. Infants teach themselves to cry when they are hungry or hurt. A small flower invented itself so that we could extract digitalis for sick hearts.
The earth gave itself day and night, titled itself so that we get seasons. Without the magnetic poles man would be unable to navigate the trackless oceans of water and air, and they just grew there.
How about the sugar thermostat in the pancreas? It maintains a level of sugar in the blood sufficient for energy. Without it, all of us would fall into a coma and die.
Why does snow sit on mountain tops waiting for the warm spring sun to melt it at just the right time for the young crops in farms below to drink? A very lovely accident.
The human heart will beat for 70 or 80 years without faltering. How does it get sufficient rest between beats? A kidney will filter poison from the blooed, and leave good things alone. how does it know one from anoter ?
Who gave the human tongue flexibililty to form words, and a brain to understand them, but denied it to all other animals?
Who showed a womb how to take the love of two persons and keep splitting a tiny ovum until, in time, a baby would have the proper number of fingers, eyes and ears and hair in the right places, and come into the world when it is strong enough to sustain life ?
There is no God ?
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Interesting article given today when i was in GP class today, probably the last GP class ever in my education life. Really meaningful piece, fully articulates my belief of a higher supreme being. religion aside, heres another poem from another article from eddie koh.. talking about the risks of human life. another life enriching piece I draw alot of meaning from.
To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing,
does nothing,
has nothing,
is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.
Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.
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I'm not sure who the composer is, but whoever wrote this sure makes sense. anyhow, today has been a rather deep, meaningful and enriching day for me the least. Watch 'Contact' staring Jodie Foster, about extraterrestial beings, science and faith. its not the typical kind of 'alien boo scary' or a scifi show if thats what your thinking. i think this showed based on the SETI programmes in the Us goes far deeper than that. you'll have to watch it to get it.
makes me reflect once again. everything we do on this planet always has to revolve around some form of rationality. everything has to be backed by evidence in order for it to be consider valid. many , refuse to acknowledge faith and faith alone. hm. anyhow these lines poked me really hard. there was this scene.
***
Ellie: Occam's Razor, the basic scientific principle. And it says... all things being equal, the simplest explanation tends to be the right one.
Palmer: Makes sense to me.
Ellie: So what's more likely--thank you.
Palmer: You're welcome.
Ellie: ...that an all-powerful mysterious god created the universe and then decided not to give any proof of its existence, or that it simply doesn't exist at all, and that we created him so that we wouldn't have to feel so small and alone?
Palmer: I don't know. I couldn't imagine living in a world where God didn't exist. I wouldn't want to.
Ellie: How do you know you're not deluding yourself. I mean, for me... I need proof.
Palmer: Proof. Did you love your father?
Ellie: What?
Palmer: Your dad, did you love him?
Ellie: Yes, very much.
Palmer: Prove it.
***
brings about another issue. what is love. is it based on trust, character. is it based on dependability and maturity of thought. is it based on physical aspects of the human body. is it based on the financial stabality of an individual. is it based on others views. i think its based on all of this. loves' too broad. my shoulders are too weak to hold and withstand such a strong burden.. am i trustworthy ? am i deep enough ? can i provide ? am i capable of thinking legibly, with foresight, with maturity,with reasoning yet with humility,humanity and faith ? am i intelligent enough to overcome adversities and bring home that needed comfort, solace and material satisfaction ?
so many questions. so many questions unanswered. yet, the only one that can answer those, can't really answer it, given that i have the unfortunate disadvantage of external scrutiny,criticism and perhaps a tainted past life. and that perhaps i am really not capable of fulfilling those requirements and prerequisites.
and yet, i'm still believing and hoping... faith that the answers are already answered, or would come soon. really soon.
or that, maybe i wouldnt have to answer them in the first place.. who knows ?
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On broken wings
I'm falling
And it won't be long
The skin on me is burning
By the fires of the sun
On skinned knees
I'm bleeding
And it won't be long
I've got to find that meaning
I'll search for so long
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
the days fly by like the raining water plunging down a waterfall... we have so little time left, yet so many things to do.. revise and revise. makes me regret how lazy and foolhardy i was last time.. if i had just studied 2 hrs everyday since the beginning of the year, perhaps i wouldnt have been in this plight. ya.
but times not there for me to lament or be depressed anymore. time to pick up my pace... like mel tai said, how hungry are you for good grades ? i know i am. im so thankful for how my life is and will be , thanks to my friends, family, teachers and you. heres a song dedicated to maomao!
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Lifehouse - You And Me
What day is it?
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words
You've got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
There's something about you now
I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to proveAnd it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you
What day is it?
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive..
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well, heres my wishlist now.
give me solace, peace and equanimity. bless me with the patience, empower me with a frenzied drive for success.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Alter Bridge - One Day Remains
As your will is bent and broken
and every vision has been cast into the wind
as your courage crashes down before your eyes
don't lay down and die
'Cause I see in you
More than you'll ever know
And I ask you, "Why do
You question the strength inside?"
And you need to know
How it feels to be alive
When every wound has been re-opened
And in this world of give and take,
you must have faith
And the distance to your dreams stretch beyond reach
Don't lay down and die
No,Cause
I see in you more than you'll ever know
And I ask you, "Would
You question the strength inside?"
And you need to know
How it feels to be alive...
How it feels
How it feels to be alive...
How it feels
How it feels to be alive...
How it feels
How it feels to be alive...
Cause I see in you
More than you'll ever know
And I ask you, "Would
You question the strength inside?"
And you need to know
How it feels to be alive...How it feels to be alive...
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
apologise to my fans, the previous post. hahaha, couldnt help it, was an impulse kinda reaction when i read this blog. who the hell writes like he does today anyway ? some may say its silly, probably childish and stupid..
see it as refreshing , enlightening. political satire at its best ? perhaps. and its always heartening to read singlish, and feel happy reading it, because its so humourous. laughter is probably the best medicine , and a good buffer for sorrows. glad everyone took their time and read it, and liked it. hahaha! go visit his blog. read beyond his language to witness the voice of a disgruntled Singaporean, like us, trying to survive the rigours of our material secular society. oh yes. http://www.rockson.blogspot.com knnccb. go read it! haha.
was reflecting on the miracles that has occured in my life. and im happy for it too. realised, life isnt worth lamenting, that much, on.
speaking of sorrows, heres a quote. " being quiet and still in a moment's anger, can save you a 100 days of sorrow. " and another one , " worrying is like a rocking chair, you move but get no where. " really meaningful no ? thought it'll help everyone, esp. during this stress laden period preparing for the As .
today played captains ball with my class and A02, dominated them with our sporting finesse and physical dominance.. 22 - 15. they did put up a good fight, but our tactics of short passes worked better. but they caught back once, from 12 - 6 to 12 - 11. thats great lah, considering they had no subs. had to admit thevah and bao had a rough streak in them, but sports isnt sports without physical contact i guess. nice game today! though i have a big abrasion on my knee now. well its the last pe lesson ever we can have in an academical institution, with matching uniforms.
was talking to maomao the other day, and both of us agreeed that perhaps, we'll miss these days. nostalgia. all the life lessons Boey has imparted to me.. the writing gifts Stoker , Bronte and Carter has passed down to me..the analytical prowess i've developed thanks to David Waugh, Michael Carr and two humourous geog teachers. speaking of which, one smiles rather weirdly and one threw a tissue at me, cursing loudly today. hahaha! and not forgetting, erm the ability to think logically thanks ( and no thanks ) to economics.
the short span of 2 years really has taught me many things. academic proficiency, physical fortitude, poetic aptitude and modelled my naive soul with mature venners into a chiselled experienced character. the best days of youth will end soon.before i know it, i'll wake up with a beard and arthritic bones.
Monday, October 10, 2005
A Tribute to a farnie blooger, Rockson.
(this is in no way a form of dissing, but because i love his style of writing so much. haha!)
KNN! today. sibeh lanchieow man, the weather very hot. like angmoh like to say, weather blissttering and dry.
anyway, i in class very hot, sweaty like those babe on beach. read the econ notes, try to corncentrate also cant. so sit near fan, hope wind can cool me down, including my hammer, which suffering inside , scare it gets rusty. rusty cannot hit nails anymore! hahahaha! bcos no more hardness! hahaha! rockson one is call horse, cos he is zaikia, very macho. my one suey e eh abit, but still quite powerful.so call hammer. hahaha!
den i walk past my school, newstand. den saw my best buddy, Harry.
Harry say: " wah Johnny, see the paper today! more blogger kena kan. " he like call me Johnny, cos sound like my real name.. he lazy prononce thats all.
I say, wah, i heard before. last time, got this blogger rockson, he very farny. use knnb ccb lan chieow lam pah scold vulgar freely! he always tok about gahmen and how they also play backside and rub side ways and round and round.
then Harry hear already, get hot. not hot, but angry hot. he say " no lah you puah siu kia. blogger is the racist one, anyhow scold mother scold father of other races. where got such blogger like rockson ? so hiong. "
i quickly apologise, because Harry is quite anti racist. so then later i flip the paper, see got one girl report them. then i a bit irritated. wah harry u see. this person here so garang. report people! chaochee bye! confirm is those surf net spec thick until become microscope those kind. i most hate this humji paotoh kia. then Harry quickly change mood. he softly whisper, say cannot anyhow say this kind of thing anymore. gahmen got big eye and big ear. can hear everything we people of Singapore say or do. so then later i also whisper to him , say : " okay okay. anyway racist must be shot. singapore so harmony together. but wah so unfair, kena paotoh. wah now blogger so fast caught. next time kids will not go block catching, but go blog catching. hahaha! " Harry also luagh. he say now blog must tame down.
then i say okay, and wave byebye to him. now reach home, think those blogger unwise. haiyo. okay now very tired. shall go nap, let my hammer rest. so next time can hammer nails properly. hahahaha!
Seven things that will scare me:
-self-righteous brats
-childish wannabes that lack an identity of their own
-my hands, legs, fingers, mouth all not working at the same time
-the name 'sas'
-my friends or loved ones having a really bad day
-stubborn fools bent on biased opiniated stances ..
-the cessation of music
Seven things I like the most:
-balling with my peeps on the court. (gotta start training back to shape again)
-soccer (new found passion. hopefully can improve more)
-my ibanez gio, esp ltd ex-50, yamaha, marshall MG15MSII amps, my computer and music, my metallica albums and dvds
-chilling to music ( have a softspot for guitar solos and heart pounding fast paced palm muted riffs) and playing games (including dota, fifa, w11, solitare)
-lying on the bed and watching the sun and the clouds, imagining things.
-writing good poems
-maomao!!
Seven most important things in my room/ apartment:
-computer.
-guitars, amps
-air con
-chairs
-beds
-lights
-tables... uah.
this is a dumb list. i think.
Seven random facts abt me:
-never did like pop music all my life
-started playing guitar only this year
-picked up basketball at late sec 3
-picked up soccer in may last year
-have many personal journals
-able to take any form of abuse and insult with absolute indifference
-i enjoy praying to God. solace.
Seven things I can do:
-play the guitar.
-run like a mad man on the soccer pitch, with red eyes... hardworking industrious ?
-make numerous facial expressions.. plastic elastic face.
-pair words to form unique ones.. irritates ray. hahaaha.
-talk cock and rationalise , calm people down.. think and ponder and philosophise needlessly. (read : r'n'g )
-dribble the bball and do some sometimes not nice moves. ahaa. but sometimes pull some glamorous stunts off. have moments of brillance on the pitch.
-laze around the house the entire day doing nothing.. but staring at the com and fiddling with my guitar. the whole day leh.
Seven things I can't do:
-play guitar solos =(
-juggle the soccer ball =((
-dunk =(((
-maths
-listen to oomzhee ooomzzhee music
-win important sports fixtures
-get a nice tan.
Seven words/phrases I say the most:
-wah lao
-shoot zap
- 'HOW ARE YOU' 'STOP IT' 'UGH' 'yEAh' -> arnold prank call. hurhurrhur.
-aiyaa
-you okay ?
-**!*#!@*#!@)($(!
- most of the time wont say same thing lah. not that predictable.
Seven favourite celebrities:
-kobe bryant
-theirry henry
-ronaldhino
-james hetfield
-kirk hammett
-jimmy page
-ben stiller
whew, what an exhaustive list. nah khai, i've done it!
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
blogging after some econs memory work. As approaching sooner, cant wait for it to be over faster. anyhow, i hope everyones doing well now..2 more mths time and we'll be thru and rid once of for all! was talking to my retainee frens just now, and it dawned upon me that they haf sat and will sit for more exams den us. we finish As they stil have to take! muahahaha. kidding kidding. all the best guys, hope all of your promote and excel in j2, since fundamentals are neccessary for J2 success.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
its been awhile since i blogged. . with the exhausting prelims and all.. taking a short break before the intense mugging starts for the As... i could say that my results are kind of crappy, so i'll have to work doubly hard.. but im confident i can do it, get those elusive As and Bs or Cs for my cert.
the lit trip on sat was great, really really tiring but nevetheless enlightening.. especially the sudden transition from the urban setting to a rural one.. makes u reflect and ponder that life has certainly more meaning to it, and more depth that we can explore. the small things are what we worry about most of the time, and i really feel now that its needless to be anxious or dismayed at my current trepiditions and struggles.. because its minute.. the suffering of poor people, and the pain people endured during the past wars, the diseases people battle and the people whom fight just to breath another breath, those are the stuff perhaps that are worth worry, anxiety,depression etc. as such, my prelims are of nth but the past... any setback shldnt be worried upon or lamented much on (though some form of it has to be reflected upon so we gain and grow in character) and i'll move on more confident and more able after every slap on my face. holding on to memories are different to me now, i'll hold on to those useful to me, the rest i'll chuck it, cos its not worth it. my grudges bored, my laments are so far away now.. i feel like a human dynamo now... nothing will affect me, unless i get killed.. (read:murdered or knocked down by a car)
troubles me sometimes how people hold dear to the misdeeds, their misfortunes and how they were wronged. the right to be angry is correct nonetheless, but that feeling should just dissapate after awhile.. i feel deeply sorry and really passionately symphathic for those unable to move on and are just stuck like murals on a forgotten wall.. trapped in their own self righteous carousels of grief , chagrin, rage and silliness. i dont disregard the fact some scars are really deep... and really unforgiving.... advice ? move on, because reality wont wait for you, and your world would crumble of you stay. not now, but slowly. oh yes, pessimism and anger drains you, and your life would be put to waste..
on a side note, i feel like saying a big thanks to all my friends and family. for being there. and my consicious, to remind myself not to be self righteous. woo!
