You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2009.
I think I have a problem with people offering religious justifications for things.
Consider three entirely hypothetical statements which perhaps been given by certain theocracies such as in Helmajistan.
I.e, “God killed people before therefore we can punish as well“. First of all, wrong testament. Second of all, the ful extension of logic is that we can kill people as well. Third, even if that logic was true, are we then trying to play God?
Or “God loves a cheerful giver therefore we should give more“. This is heavily predicated on the assumption “cheerful” is dictated by action since God looks at the heart. Furthermore, the real logical conclusion is — if you are not cheerful, do not give.
Or even “I cannot do this with you because I made a promise to God that I will not“ First of all, why make such a promise in the first place! What purpose does it serve even in a religious sense? Second of all, what is the purpose if in the end you just end up doing the same with someone else? Synthesizing the first and second, I would interpret this as a Cheap Excuse. And I feel sorry for whoever that would be at the receiving end of this hypothetical situation and yet scorn the idealistic stupidity should one Buy such an excuse.
All of the above show a lack of sincerity as compared to a conventional appeal to emotion and reason such as “we have duties to fulfill” or “we need money”. It is what I would term, a form of “spritual blackmailing”.
What worse way to use the name of God in vain than to use it with a purpose and to take the Text out of the Context. I think it is myopic to nitpick on things such as swearing “OMG” when we ignore the more glaring and severe. The Orthodoxed Jews deem take this even further by interpreting the third commandment to not being allowed to say sacred name of God at all as theyre not fit to.
The Christian is not to be a Moron, but to take things with a pinch of salt and be critical while religious that ultimately certain interpretations are Man-made which are prone to flaws, misinterpretations and fallacies. The word of God can be accepted as truth but not necessarily the interpretations drawn from it. To accept blindly just because of trust in the fallibility of man would pose spiritual risks. Yes, reason and faith -can- be reconciled.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
I sure hope I wouldn’t get smite for my views in the name of –
I was discussing a complexificated past saga from last year with someone yesterday. Origins, motivations, course and effects were issues examined with inferences drawn from the facts that were present and absent or the “silences” while maintaining a critical yet balanced view.
To me, History has been the most useful subject I have been taught so far in school. While the facts might not be important (after all, many would say that people of the present need not know about specific events in Russia/Europe a hundred years ago) the skills that I have been taught have been important and perhaps still play a big role in my everyday thinking.
Not just current affairs (which again some would say that we need not know about events on the other end of the world which we are unaffected by) but even in personal issues.
And I dare say, this is more important than math and english. I also maintain that I find little value in the study of literature. Literature’s value, if any, is reserved for a class beyond me with a far larger appreciation for culture. I am far too crippled in the aspect of having to pick up on the small devices which contribute to a thing of beauty which is a joy for ever. Nor do I find the use of apt alliterative arts worthy of appreciation.
Overall, I am appreciative for whatever I have learnt from Mr A in the past three years and the more overlooked Mr M in the first year whom I think established a strong foundation and laid the groundwork.
Historia — a mark remains and the spirit lives on.
I tend to be skeptical about people who seem “too perfect” if you know what i mean — diligent, virtuous, intelligent and even good looking. There has to be some flaw somehow. It’s just a matter of whether people know.
And it is the flaws that are unknown which are more dangerous than flaws that are real.
*****
On a separate unrealted note, I would also think that certain images put forth are but an illusion (which might not be intentional). The more someone tries to resist a flaw/behave in the opposite way, it indicates that in actuality the opposite is true, the flaw is present. There is no need to resist a flaw which is absent! Much like how bullying which is a superficial sign of asserting strength is in reality a sign of deeper weakness.
All I can say is — Not Real.
Do however note that this is not cynicism: cynicism would argue that it is a deliberate pretense and engineering of image with an underlying sneaky purpose. My argument is simply, the attempt to resist something only indicates its presence.
******
And some might argue that as a result of this resistance, the flaw could be kept at bay. This is nonsense. I would argue that resistance not only is ineffectual but in fact worsens the problem. You do not and can not try to resist an opposing force (i.e. a car coming your way) which is usually stronger.
The only solution I suggest is to run away. Perhaps this is why I handle things better, The King of Siam is after all an escapist.
And I suddenly think that in the spirit of Paradox my caption should be “Not lying“. Ohwell.
Despite taking pride and great glee at being The Undeserving Bastard, I can at times (30%) emphathise at the Undeserving Hero/Saint (while laughing away for my amusement the other 70% of the time.
Perhaps there is nothing more tragic than a truck load of bad shit happening to a good person all at once — nothing which he deserves.
Worse yet, that it happens because of a few minor (or perhaps not so minor) choices made in the best interest of others and in hope of a better future.
Somehow the bad undeserving people get away. But whatever it is, I sure hope it does not happen to me. (technically, i already fail the “good person” criteria so…)
tragic, truly tragic — and this is coming from someone who seldom empathises with others. Perhaps there is a side of me that still values justice and the compensation for effort and deeds, but that would be self-destructive of me.
There is no order in this universe. Everything you thought you knew about Action-Reaction, Cause-Effect, has all been a Mind Game.
Hover through the fog and filthy air.
Important lessons from the father.
If you accuse someone of having PMS when she doesn’t, you’re in shit.
If you accues someone of having PMS when she DOES, you’re in deep knee deep shit.
And if people are open about having PMS, stay the hell away.
Remember two posts back about the dream being unable to come up again,
it means only one thing –
I cannot stand up.
“No one is to tell anyone outside of the Forbidden Palace that we caught Hsiao T’o and how we will be executing Hsiao T’o. All informers will be jailed as well!”
What disturbs me is the excitement that all the peasants had when they thought they were about to witness the Execution of Hsiao T’o and the disappointment when they realised there was no Execution. Is this perhaps a very shallow sadism that springs from a perpetual boredom?
******
I wondered how this should be titled,
sha yi jing bai (if your chinese is good enough, you’ll know) or “nothing to fear, nothing to hide“, or simply, “Historical Fiction”.
Often people have this dream of falling from a high place and they keep falling.
I think I mentioned before — but even my dreams are more realistic than most people.
Of late I’ve been getting a different sort, I fall – fall on the ground and I can’t get up as much as I try to climb, in the end all I can do is lie face down in acceptance or make a half-assed attempt to crawl.
It’s almost as if I tripped. Recurring dreams cannot be good –often reflect on the subconscious.
I have taken a liking for the Native Languages section of the library — on the premise that it is quieter and quite spacious. You also get your nice multiracial mix of indian, malay and PRC.
Above all, no one goes there! I won’t run into people.
This point was easily proven by me going up to levle 11 forx a short while to run into three people. If level 11 is crowded, oh my…
***
The interesting (or rather puzzling story) is when this old (china)man started railing at me for having no manners.
I had no idea what was going on before he said I had no manners and after he said I had no manners. My ears were plugged listening to some avenue Q soundtrack. I heard he said I had no manners and decided to plug my ears back. If it isn’t true, noble, just, pure, lovely or of good report, I’m not listening to it.
Funny is that he continued to rail even after I plugged my ears. Probably quite loud too judging from the head turns in the library.
Best part is I pretended not to be able to speak chinese.
What better way to piss off an angry person than to ignore him — don’t even let him scold with any effect.
He also got to see my range of faces from Question Mark to Stone to Smile. I would think that he must have looked like an idiot.
Although if anything, the one who makes a ruckus in a quiet library is the one who lacks manners — then again, manners don’t matter to me especially when they are subject to Cultural Differences.
Somehow I feel damn pleased XD
and i still have no idea what insensitive thing i’ve done THIS TIME
******
On Elders and respect
There are several possible views that I might subscribe to. Pick the one that makes you least likely to nag me about anything — I believe in that one. (This is the Pragmatic Theory of truth)
1. People who are older than us should be treated with respect at a level beyond others because they are older than us because they are older than us and have experienced many things that we have not. Take note that “People Older Than Us” includes those who were formerly (or currently) drunks, cheekopeks, morons, cutthroatbitches, vagrants but still elderly.
2. People all deserve equal respect. (Which means The War Veteran Hero Character gets the same respect as the Army Siam. Note that I have a bias towards one side.)
3. People who do not give respect do not deserve respect. (This view I disagree with as it is vengeful, pointless, self-perpetuating and immature as much as it is intuitive)
4. Morons deserve less respect than non- morons. (Caveat: I do not refer to anything academic or even skill based which can be learnt, those do not define moron. What is more important is one’s actions, decision and life. Who gives a damn about The Paper)
They are ranked in an order of what I think makes sense from the top (or was it from the bottom?)
You will realise which makes the most sense!
And as per what i always do — the irrational. Even if there’s no reason/justification for it, because it is the more conventional way, i’ll *try* to stick to it anyway.
As long as I am not affected by the problems directly and do not know they exist, I should not care. I do not want to be involved.
As long as there is no pain in the leg, one does not need to care whether it is damaged or not.
Which is why, I am going to spend the day out.
I actually think I have gotten used to whatever I see by now, just that I am only starting to make a conscious effort to get away.
Yes, I am running away. But there is no reason for me to attempt to fix things — which i cannot.
So, I’ll be home late at night the whole week and attempt to eat dinner out for the week.
*******
Incentive system:
IF I DO NOT FINISH PRACTICAL-THELAST, I AM NOT GOING OUT WITH YOU LATER.
after all, it isn’t hard to finish as long as I focus.
I don’t care already.
I will go home late for the week to come (as much as I already have been doing this)
For this week at least, I will eat dinner out. (Food at home sucks anyway, long enough)
When I am at home, I will lock myself in my lair.
Not that I am having problems or anything, (apart from the physical ><)
But gosh, I’m behaving like a typical 40 year old man.
*****
Argh, damn this cough, I hope I don’t have some latent tuberculosis.
will perhaps spread it to other library users tmr.
The End Game is quite simple really. Your mom gives you this huge pile of gross vegetables (celery!)
The objective is to finish it *first* as quick as possible in order to move on to the Meat quickly.
And it will be Prac The Last (for the rest of my life!)
I’m fantasizing already.
****
Essentially, this has been a good week.
I have only spent one full day in school. Holiday, The Full Day, Left Early (to go for competition), Arrived late (because I was sick), Absent (to see doctor)
How better could i have spent the week.
One is better than nothing, and the other — nothing is better.
Often I’d think that actions and thoughts might not be the same. I would think that people can express certain emotions without feeling those emotions in order to obtain a sneaky benefit in their self interest.
This however might not be the case if no one is watching, but the action does not change. (Of course me being me has the Ability to watch secretly!)
In that case, would I still think that people are putting on an act to achieve something?
The only other explanation is that they’re so sharp, they can notice a hidden human presence. That, i have little faith in.
“i would have hugged her if she looked five kg heavier!”
- and then i realised i told someone of the same size (or less)
I wasn’t there for the food — i ate before going and the thing i ate the most was fruits.
I wasn’t there for the drinks — i can’t take anything cos i’m on meds (and i hate the spirits anyway)
I most certainly wasn’t there for the party mood — i hate party moods and crowdedness.
If this were to be your typical boring teenage angst blog, it would say “I was there for you” (in which case i have to further consider “WHICH you”) Out.
Couldn’t be that I had nothing to do — I could have been at Two other places (with other people) which could have excite me more.
And the reason why I’m rationalizing is because I am bored and unwilling to start on the two pieces of work i have for the three day weekend.
I have a hypo-thesis about High Expectations. It is set at a level based purely on imagination. i.e. no one really knows what Perfect is like. Ergo, it is impossible for these “high expectations” to be met.
Two things could happen to people with high expectations:
1. their expectations don’t get met and they end up with something sub-par (perhaps even severely sub-par)
2. their expectations don’t get met and they refuse to settle for anything, ending up with nothing. My math SL teaches me that nothing is less than Crappy-something.
Before we can have ex-pectations, we must first have pectations. I have no idea what the hell pectations are but it sounds funny. (and sounds chest related ><)
Basically, I have low expectations of those who have high expectations.
wa lau, i haven’t had this for almost ten years now — but i think i have a crap lot of phlegm in my lung. Might be bronchitis.
The contradicting thing is that i should take more orange juice to get vitamin c to get better, but juices might contribute to phlegm.
Oh, i really don’t care — my diet is not going to change. Ailments are temporal.
Not only does beulah’s cough syrup not work even in double dosage, worse still — it doesn’t cause drowsiness as it claims!
Recent Comments