I have decided to conform to my biological clock: Sleep as much as possible in the day, and be ultra constructive at night. For example, i'm doing accountings now at 3am...
I hope it rains 24/7 everyday. The weather's ridiculous these days. Once the rain stops in the afternoon, the night is unbearably hot. Probably global warming. Speaking of which, I was reading a booklet much earlier. Think some people drop it into our letterbox. It's some self-proclaimed spiritual master trying to promote going vegetarian to lessen contribution to global warming. Btw, here's the wiki on her:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ching_Hai
It's worrying what kinda people sprout out from around the world these days. Here, we're looking at a possible philanthropist who self-proclaimed herself as akin to Buddha with supernatural power. And of course, also the setting up of a religious foundation named after herself. And at the same time, being so involved in businesses. Oh. And did i I mention that telling people to chant her name will bring deliverance and aid enlightenment? To promote vegetarian and environmentalism is a good thing. But these surface acts are not indication of a true saint inside... or actually in this case, I actually doubt the sanity of this person itself...
I personally felt that in the present world, people lack healthy skepticism. Religion is a source of spiritual and emotional support. Not alot of people can stand the idea of being unable to explain events happening to them. Not alot of people can live with a "meaningless" life, therefore it must be that God has a plan for us all. Not alot of people dare to take the risk when they are told that they will go to hell if they do not believe. Not many people dare to question their own faith, for fear that it is blasphemy to even doubt. Not many people look beyond the facade (if any), and believed simply because the religion institutes they belong to are doing charitable things.
My point is, things might not appear as it is. There are many religions who claimed themselves as the one true faith. Then my question is, what gives them the right to claim so, as over all other faiths? What exact is "true faith"? Is it so important that it takes priority over humanity altogether? It is so important that you must defend them, even if it means killing/harassing/debasing/(insert negative verbs) the people who also live on this planet with you? My next question is, assuming that this "only true faith" is found, how realistic is it that the preachers of this faith be flawless? Look at the recent child sex scandal in Roman Catholic Church... or rather the whole strings of child sexual abuses in history. Those in religious authority are not necessary flawless. Who is to correct them? The believers? And if the err is less eye-catching, such as misinterpretation of the scriptures/bible, who has to authority to correct them? The proclaimed God? Last I remember, "God" haven't sent a bolt of lightening down to fire the Pope, which explain why he's still sitting comfortably in his office now.
Conclusion: Be realistic. Do what is good for others and ourselves without the need to heed all the talks about supernaturals and God. My point here is not to advocate a disbelief in God, but rather more of discourage a need to be "God-centered". If you can behave like a saint in action because you are already a saint inside you, it doesn't matter what your religion is, because (I believe that) God can't fault a saint for not believing in the incomprehensible supernatural. Of cos, all these talks assuming that God exists in the 1st place. But even if God and afterlife justices does not exist, it shouldn't make contributing meaningfully to the people around you any less important.
There was a rather pessimistic theory that without religion in this world, there would be no morality. I say... even if there's religions, doing what your religions tell you to do doesn't make you any more moral, since you're only bargaining for entry to heaven. For example in Singapore, people give seats to elderly because it's a social norm which if you don't conform, people will look at you as an inconsiderate person. So the very act of giving up seats to the elderly is not an accurate gauge that you are a considerate towards the elderly, but could be that you just don't want to feel embarrassed. At the end of the day, is Singapore a considerate society as compared to other countries? Not necessarily so.
Feedbacks are welcomed. =D
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Change, we(I) can
Think it's time to call a break on all those entertainments, like Naruto/Pokemon/Dragon Age/singing/etc. Well... Maybe not singing. But anyway, it's time to make some changes to lifestyle pattern before the exam comes. Change, I can. =D
At least for now, I'll target to revise a significant amount of things each day. Whether I do manage to finish my revision by the exam deadline is another thing, I guess. But putting the deadline in my head isn't one of the more motivational thing to do when studying is already a drag by itself. Hmm... Each day, be better than I am yesterday.
Back to studies then.
At least for now, I'll target to revise a significant amount of things each day. Whether I do manage to finish my revision by the exam deadline is another thing, I guess. But putting the deadline in my head isn't one of the more motivational thing to do when studying is already a drag by itself. Hmm... Each day, be better than I am yesterday.
Back to studies then.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Music
I've been so caught up by the sloth monster these days that I can't function properly like a person who's supposed to have my exams in less than a month time. Sigh... I think I'll wake up early tomorrow for a run.
Just watched a video on this taiwanese guy with a vocal range of whitney houston.
Reminds me of many singers and sing enthusiasts out there these days. The quality of music seems to be deteriorating. Plenty of people out there seems to like songs without realising that sometimes the lyrics are totally nonsensical. There's also alot of people out there who desired to learn singing cos they wanna be well-known. And there are also some who idolises and try to follow in footsteps of people who execute very difficult vocal techniques.
Music, is a form of expression. The producer of music (ie. Singer, music producer, lyricist, instrumentalist, etc) adds meanings to a song, produce a combination and sequence of music notes, decides on the arrangement of various instruments, and decide on the appropriate usage of vocal techniques. The final product is something that appeals to people, because people can understand the song on the level of meanings, both understood from the lyrics, and the instrumental arrangements that brings out the mood. The listener could be touched/excited/inspired/energised/depressed/angry, depending on what the song wants to bring out.
When the lyrics make no sense, listeners are only listening to the music arrangement, which the singer might as well be absent from. As for people who's into the music industry or learned singing only for fame's sake... the music they typically tried to reproduce typically would lack a touch of meanings. A copycat. Watch youtube, and it shouldn't be hard to find many wannabes like these. Amazingly, some of these people have excellent vocal techniques, but somehow the songs seem to leave their vocal chords lacking sincerity.
With regards to vocal techniques, more does not equate good. It's like... cooking. You don't add too much pepper if you'll just trying to flavor a broth. If you're making curry, you should be adding substantially more spices than what a broth would need. Also, people ought to consider if their voice suits using certain vocal techniques. I know of some guy friends who seems to think that anything that is sung as high as possible with skill sounds good. The fact isn't. Everyone is unique in one way or another, even their voice. Being able to do the same, doesn't means being good in the same way. I think that people have to find their own voice, rather than living in others' shadow. There are singers out there, male or female, who have very small vocal range and belongs to the lower range of the scale, or that they use very little vocal techniques, but their music still inspires/touches people. Eg. Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones, Eason Chen, etc.
I've said my 2-cents worth on what I think good music is. Time to get back to the fight with the sloth demon!
Just watched a video on this taiwanese guy with a vocal range of whitney houston.
Reminds me of many singers and sing enthusiasts out there these days. The quality of music seems to be deteriorating. Plenty of people out there seems to like songs without realising that sometimes the lyrics are totally nonsensical. There's also alot of people out there who desired to learn singing cos they wanna be well-known. And there are also some who idolises and try to follow in footsteps of people who execute very difficult vocal techniques.
Music, is a form of expression. The producer of music (ie. Singer, music producer, lyricist, instrumentalist, etc) adds meanings to a song, produce a combination and sequence of music notes, decides on the arrangement of various instruments, and decide on the appropriate usage of vocal techniques. The final product is something that appeals to people, because people can understand the song on the level of meanings, both understood from the lyrics, and the instrumental arrangements that brings out the mood. The listener could be touched/excited/inspired/energised/depressed/angry, depending on what the song wants to bring out.
When the lyrics make no sense, listeners are only listening to the music arrangement, which the singer might as well be absent from. As for people who's into the music industry or learned singing only for fame's sake... the music they typically tried to reproduce typically would lack a touch of meanings. A copycat. Watch youtube, and it shouldn't be hard to find many wannabes like these. Amazingly, some of these people have excellent vocal techniques, but somehow the songs seem to leave their vocal chords lacking sincerity.
With regards to vocal techniques, more does not equate good. It's like... cooking. You don't add too much pepper if you'll just trying to flavor a broth. If you're making curry, you should be adding substantially more spices than what a broth would need. Also, people ought to consider if their voice suits using certain vocal techniques. I know of some guy friends who seems to think that anything that is sung as high as possible with skill sounds good. The fact isn't. Everyone is unique in one way or another, even their voice. Being able to do the same, doesn't means being good in the same way. I think that people have to find their own voice, rather than living in others' shadow. There are singers out there, male or female, who have very small vocal range and belongs to the lower range of the scale, or that they use very little vocal techniques, but their music still inspires/touches people. Eg. Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones, Eason Chen, etc.
I've said my 2-cents worth on what I think good music is. Time to get back to the fight with the sloth demon!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Fatalistic
3 hours ago, it was 1.30am, and I had a sudden craving for meepok from under my flat. I'm really growing fat these days.
Most of the time, I tend to be less than enthusiastic about doing my best, because I know that effort does not equates success, and most people are quick to judge by being result-oriented. Why work too hard and in the end not to be recognised? Perhaps that's why I don't find any motivation at the moment to sprint for exams. Kinda lost my fire. Even if I start hitting the books now, it's only cos I'm stressed at my peers already doing so.
I need to affirm my existence, but I don't wanna struggle doing so.
Sounds chim? Someone i know said something right: "The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." It is easier to obfuscate my cowardice behind words and philosophy, than to fight for something out of reach...
Most of the time, I tend to be less than enthusiastic about doing my best, because I know that effort does not equates success, and most people are quick to judge by being result-oriented. Why work too hard and in the end not to be recognised? Perhaps that's why I don't find any motivation at the moment to sprint for exams. Kinda lost my fire. Even if I start hitting the books now, it's only cos I'm stressed at my peers already doing so.
I need to affirm my existence, but I don't wanna struggle doing so.
Sounds chim? Someone i know said something right: "The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." It is easier to obfuscate my cowardice behind words and philosophy, than to fight for something out of reach...
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Short-circuit
Spent most of the day studying law today. Actually, i studied till daybreak 8am this morning. Woke up at 4pm in afternoon. Feeling like crap now. Was jio for group study by singing club friends but end up didn't meet them, cos i thought i could go faster while at home. Turn out i'm not any much faster but doubly bored. Should have taken it easy like most others since this is just prelims. Oh well...
Anyway, couldn't finish it. Darn too much to memorise. I'm giving up. I'll take a break.
Anyway, couldn't finish it. Darn too much to memorise. I'm giving up. I'll take a break.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Mug Mug Mug
Tis' graveyard hour at 3:30am. Within 30mins, it'll be the start of my normal sleep hour, but I doubt I'll get to sleep tonight.
Been compiling and reading summaries of each case law one by one for 7 hrs already... Hopefully I can finished at least half of it tonight. Paper's on coming thursday. Damn the British and their colonial era's doctrine of precedence! If legal principles are correctly applied, then all similar cases would arrive at the same rulings, no? And that would make memorising past key cases as being unnecessarily. Human brains are limited, which is why we have references and computers.
Not too long ago while I was at an OG-mate's home for post-CNY reunion, I saw the group picture that all of us took together. Wondered where mom kept it. Ended up finding them in my drawer covered with dust. Just cleaned it and set it on my desk. Serves as good motivation. Brings back good memories. Regrettably, I kinda distanced from them since the start of year 2, cos i don't share the same timetable with all of them. I guess that's life. Close friends are made and lost with the passage of time, because everyone might be on a different path. But of course, how good we are at socialising also plays a part, and I confess to being rather poor at that...
Which path am I going to? I don't fear the future, but it's always full of regrets. If only we could capture the moments and store it for eternity like what photography does...
Been compiling and reading summaries of each case law one by one for 7 hrs already... Hopefully I can finished at least half of it tonight. Paper's on coming thursday. Damn the British and their colonial era's doctrine of precedence! If legal principles are correctly applied, then all similar cases would arrive at the same rulings, no? And that would make memorising past key cases as being unnecessarily. Human brains are limited, which is why we have references and computers.
Not too long ago while I was at an OG-mate's home for post-CNY reunion, I saw the group picture that all of us took together. Wondered where mom kept it. Ended up finding them in my drawer covered with dust. Just cleaned it and set it on my desk. Serves as good motivation. Brings back good memories. Regrettably, I kinda distanced from them since the start of year 2, cos i don't share the same timetable with all of them. I guess that's life. Close friends are made and lost with the passage of time, because everyone might be on a different path. But of course, how good we are at socialising also plays a part, and I confess to being rather poor at that...
Which path am I going to? I don't fear the future, but it's always full of regrets. If only we could capture the moments and store it for eternity like what photography does...
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Choice & Lethargic
It's not fair, why others can hold happiness in their own hands, if they choose to, while I can't even choose to hold someone's hands. "To have", is not a luxury. It's "CHOOSE to have" that is a luxury.
So lethargic. Don't feel like studying. Don't feel like playing. Don't feel like anything. And it's not helping that prelims is on this month. Maybe I really need motivation, but what's the source of motivation?
So lethargic. Don't feel like studying. Don't feel like playing. Don't feel like anything. And it's not helping that prelims is on this month. Maybe I really need motivation, but what's the source of motivation?
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