It's weird but, no other picture had me going at work more than this one.
So there.
Monday, April 27, 2009
22 weeks to go.
22 weeks to go.
It's weird but, no other picture had me going at work more than this one.
So there.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Epitome of...whatever.
Epitome of...whatever.
If there's anything I realised these past two weeks, it's that I'm gonna need all things positive to keep me in a sane state of mind.
I don't think I'm kidding.
Give it all you've got.
Send over those little ponies and bunny rabbits with ribbons on their ears and other appendages one might or might not deem offensive.
Draw a frickin' rainbow in the background and let me wear a circlet of daisy chains on my head.
For fuck's sake, turn me into a joint-smoking, peace-loving hippie!
Anything to get me out of this funk, man.
There just comes a day in every month of the year (No, it's not what you may or may not think it might or might not be. Let it sink in.) when that sudden feeling of uncertainty just dawns on someone. Especially on someone who doesn't like to be uncertain.
Namely, me.
I mean, I accept that some things in life just can't be set in stone, but I take comfort in the fact that there are some things I hold dear and will remain so no matter what happens.
But when that fact suddenly becomes fact no more, the realisation becomes excruciatingly soul-shatteringly painful to bear.
That's not good.
I just...don't know anymore.
Bleh, this part is edited. Literary diarrhoea, I'd like to call it. Read it? Good, you just got a little more insight into the convoluted mass that is my soul.
I'd need all the brightsides I can get to get out of this funkhole. (Hey, it rhymes! *Ba-dump-pssh*)
Feel free to quote me on that one.
I don't think I'm kidding.
Give it all you've got.
Send over those little ponies and bunny rabbits with ribbons on their ears and other appendages one might or might not deem offensive.
Draw a frickin' rainbow in the background and let me wear a circlet of daisy chains on my head.
For fuck's sake, turn me into a joint-smoking, peace-loving hippie!
Anything to get me out of this funk, man.
There just comes a day in every month of the year (No, it's not what you may or may not think it might or might not be. Let it sink in.) when that sudden feeling of uncertainty just dawns on someone. Especially on someone who doesn't like to be uncertain.
Namely, me.
I mean, I accept that some things in life just can't be set in stone, but I take comfort in the fact that there are some things I hold dear and will remain so no matter what happens.
But when that fact suddenly becomes fact no more, the realisation becomes excruciatingly soul-shatteringly painful to bear.
That's not good.
I just...don't know anymore.
Bleh, this part is edited. Literary diarrhoea, I'd like to call it. Read it? Good, you just got a little more insight into the convoluted mass that is my soul.
I'd need all the brightsides I can get to get out of this funkhole. (Hey, it rhymes! *Ba-dump-pssh*)
Feel free to quote me on that one.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Oh, what a thing to do.
Oh, what a thing to do.
The evening sky;
it screams your memory in hues,
But the sound - oh, so mellow.
it screams your memory in hues,
But the sound - oh, so mellow.
Bleah, gotta get a 500-word essay on video-editing done by tomorrow. And surprise surprise, I haven't even STARTED.
Off I go then.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
It's never enough.
It's never enough.
To One Such As Thee
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day,
the great William once wrote.
For in such a time,
through reason in rhyme,
'twas the way many lovers be quote.
Sweethearts of today, be folly it may
do so through largely different means.
Anonymity exists,
through their online trysts,
nothing's really what it seems.
Be that as it may, there's no disarray
When that which has thou longing be found.
From that celebration of bliss,
To that one special kiss,
The whole experience, profound.
Most regrettably, you see, in the absence of thee
The heart is rendered most cold
But with your hand in mine,
And lips most divine,
No doubt, you make the heart so bold.
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day,
the great William once wrote.
For in such a time,
through reason in rhyme,
'twas the way many lovers be quote.
Sweethearts of today, be folly it may
do so through largely different means.
Anonymity exists,
through their online trysts,
nothing's really what it seems.
Be that as it may, there's no disarray
When that which has thou longing be found.
From that celebration of bliss,
To that one special kiss,
The whole experience, profound.
Most regrettably, you see, in the absence of thee
The heart is rendered most cold
But with your hand in mine,
And lips most divine,
No doubt, you make the heart so bold.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
This takes stoopid to a whole new level.
This takes stoopid to a whole new level.
Today, I learned the hard way just how public my blog can be. =S
If you guys may or may not have seen, there was a post here that I put up on Tuesday. Up till 5 hours ago, it was still up.
Due to reasons I cannot control, or have no intention to whatsover, this particular post has been taken down. Deleted. Zilch. It probably may still be lurking around in the Internet cache somewhere, but on this blog, it is GONE.
And I would like to extend my UTMOST SINCERE apologies to whomever the post offended, hurt, or angered.
It was never my intention to discredit anybody with that post, though I do know now that this mistake has come back to bite me in the ass. =S
You guys are great. The post wasn't about any of you, really. I guess I let the pressure get to me and I released it in the most immature and childish way I could have possibly done, and for that, I apologise.
I am beating myself up as I type this. Physically impossible, yes; but trust me, it's happening.
Again, I am truly sorry.
Gosh, I was stupid.
If you guys may or may not have seen, there was a post here that I put up on Tuesday. Up till 5 hours ago, it was still up.
Due to reasons I cannot control, or have no intention to whatsover, this particular post has been taken down. Deleted. Zilch. It probably may still be lurking around in the Internet cache somewhere, but on this blog, it is GONE.
And I would like to extend my UTMOST SINCERE apologies to whomever the post offended, hurt, or angered.
It was never my intention to discredit anybody with that post, though I do know now that this mistake has come back to bite me in the ass. =S
You guys are great. The post wasn't about any of you, really. I guess I let the pressure get to me and I released it in the most immature and childish way I could have possibly done, and for that, I apologise.
I am beating myself up as I type this. Physically impossible, yes; but trust me, it's happening.
Again, I am truly sorry.
Gosh, I was stupid.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Yeah, about that...
Yeah, about that...
Hey, umm...just a little FYI here...
I just want you to know that my sense of humour; yeah, that's the only thing saving me from spiralling uncontrollably into a death pit that is my cynicism and brutal sarcasm.
No, really.
So umm, hard as it may be, I do hope you can try to ignore the really annoying parts and take with you the appropriately funny Teddy that you've come to know. ;)
Yours truly,
Hafeez Zainalabidin.
I just want you to know that my sense of humour; yeah, that's the only thing saving me from spiralling uncontrollably into a death pit that is my cynicism and brutal sarcasm.
No, really.
So umm, hard as it may be, I do hope you can try to ignore the really annoying parts and take with you the appropriately funny Teddy that you've come to know. ;)
Yours truly,
Hafeez Zainalabidin.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Interesting...
Interesting...
I, for the life of me, could not believe I forgot to put my blog archives on my updated blog layout.
So here it is, in brand spanking new Oblivious Ape V.2. Feel free to rifle through my past, won't you? LOL.
I actually did take a look at my archives after I put 'em in, and I noticed that I somehow got to posting more posts per month at the advent of the year 2009 than I ever did before.
Now, I wonder why that is....=P
So here it is, in brand spanking new Oblivious Ape V.2. Feel free to rifle through my past, won't you? LOL.
I actually did take a look at my archives after I put 'em in, and I noticed that I somehow got to posting more posts per month at the advent of the year 2009 than I ever did before.
Now, I wonder why that is....=P
NOOOOOOOO
19 HOURS LEFT AS A FREE MAN!!!
Lucky my office building looks pretty swanky...heh.
SEE YA ON THE FLIPSIDE SUCKAS. WOOOOOO.
Lucky my office building looks pretty swanky...heh.
SEE YA ON THE FLIPSIDE SUCKAS. WOOOOOO.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Of patchouli and release.
Of patchouli and release.
Today, I got reminded of why I was so crazy over Bloco Singapura before.
It's just the atmosphere you experience when you play with a hundred over other percussionists all beating their instruments in time with each other.
The beat that pulses through the soul, man. Nothing can beat that.
Pun intended. Heh.
So I'm back in Bloco (hopefully for keeps), playing for this year's NDP. Yeah, it's about time our nation's day of independence got celebrated with true fanfare.
No doubt, the surdo I'm using now is less than impressive (just in looks, though) but the sound is definitely on par with the rest of its bigger brothers, if not better.
It's just nice to see so many familiar faces again, and playing alongside them. Just like old times, eh? Meh, I'm just being nostalgic. ;)
On a largely related note, I realised something else today: Unity can't possibly exist without love.
Now, I'm not trying to be some peace-loving hippie here, and no doubt the notion might seem a little 'DUH' to you right now; but honestly, have we ever at least given these things some thought?
Love for one's country unites its citizens in times of war.
Love for football unites hardcore and casual fans alike at the coffeeshop, staring at the large LCD screen hanging from the ceiling; cheering when a good pass is made or cursing when someone cocks up.
Love for percussion...man, that's a whole other thing. It's like unity in its essence. One CANNOT describe the feeling one experiences when the whole troupe plays in time and the music produced is so exquisite, you can't help but get lost in its passion.
Kinda like...your love for that special someone. That, I think, should be pretty self-explanatory. ;)
Till later, fellow apes. Don't be sniffing that patchouli for too long.
Just in case. XD
EDIT: I just wanna wish this really fast friend that I've made over the past couple of months, Adnan, the best of luck for his big day tomorrow. It sucks that I can't be there to see it. Just don't let anything cock up, man! Hahah.
It's just the atmosphere you experience when you play with a hundred over other percussionists all beating their instruments in time with each other.
The beat that pulses through the soul, man. Nothing can beat that.
Pun intended. Heh.
So I'm back in Bloco (hopefully for keeps), playing for this year's NDP. Yeah, it's about time our nation's day of independence got celebrated with true fanfare.
No doubt, the surdo I'm using now is less than impressive (just in looks, though) but the sound is definitely on par with the rest of its bigger brothers, if not better.
It's just nice to see so many familiar faces again, and playing alongside them. Just like old times, eh? Meh, I'm just being nostalgic. ;)
On a largely related note, I realised something else today: Unity can't possibly exist without love.
Now, I'm not trying to be some peace-loving hippie here, and no doubt the notion might seem a little 'DUH' to you right now; but honestly, have we ever at least given these things some thought?
Love for one's country unites its citizens in times of war.
Love for football unites hardcore and casual fans alike at the coffeeshop, staring at the large LCD screen hanging from the ceiling; cheering when a good pass is made or cursing when someone cocks up.
Love for percussion...man, that's a whole other thing. It's like unity in its essence. One CANNOT describe the feeling one experiences when the whole troupe plays in time and the music produced is so exquisite, you can't help but get lost in its passion.
Kinda like...your love for that special someone. That, I think, should be pretty self-explanatory. ;)
Till later, fellow apes. Don't be sniffing that patchouli for too long.
Just in case. XD
EDIT: I just wanna wish this really fast friend that I've made over the past couple of months, Adnan, the best of luck for his big day tomorrow. It sucks that I can't be there to see it. Just don't let anything cock up, man! Hahah.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Of shooters and shoppers.
Of shooters and shoppers.
Okay, here's a round up of the movies I've caught so far this week.
Gran Torino is Clint Eastwood's first appearance in a lead actor role since Million Dollar Baby. Having caught the latter movie, I was having high expectations for Gran Torino; well, that, and the many positive reviews it got from critics.
Despite the title, the movie revolves less around the sweet vintage car than it does around Eastwood's self-discovery. As Walt Kowalski, he comes across as a bitter old man, both as a Korean War veteran as well as a father to his grown children. Living in a neighbourhood that's made up of a largely immigrant community, he naturally keeps to himself in his modest home, with his dog Daisy as his only companion.
The car is Walt's pride and joy, and does serve as a catalyst for the many turn of events in the film; such as when Thao tries unsuccessfully to steal it as part of his gang initiation, which brings his self to Walt's attention, thereby setting off the rest of the storyline.
It's an interestng theme, and Eastwood's still as badass as ever. But somehow, I still expected something more from this movie. Something; I just don't know what.
I'll continue my review of Confessions of a Shopaholic when I get back. Gotta run. =D
No, not physically. LOL
EDIT: Back, and typing.
So...here we go. We have Confessions of a Shopaholic, a film adapted from the Shopaholic series of novels by Sophie Kinsella.
Okay, Imma just go surface level here. Very much a chick flick (no surprise if you've read the book), the movie leaves little to the imagination. Humorous moments are aplenty, especially with Isla Fisher as the neurotic shopaholic protagonist of the story, Rebecca Bloomwood.
As a character, Rebecca is definitely relatable. I mean, who hasn't had anything they were really passionate about and would pursue, no matter what the cost? But, like a couple of critics have said about this movie, it gives off somewhat mixed messages about (and I quote) "materialism and conspicuous consumption". So yeah.
Bleah, the ol' noggin's a little slow now.
Gran Torino is Clint Eastwood's first appearance in a lead actor role since Million Dollar Baby. Having caught the latter movie, I was having high expectations for Gran Torino; well, that, and the many positive reviews it got from critics.
Despite the title, the movie revolves less around the sweet vintage car than it does around Eastwood's self-discovery. As Walt Kowalski, he comes across as a bitter old man, both as a Korean War veteran as well as a father to his grown children. Living in a neighbourhood that's made up of a largely immigrant community, he naturally keeps to himself in his modest home, with his dog Daisy as his only companion.
The car is Walt's pride and joy, and does serve as a catalyst for the many turn of events in the film; such as when Thao tries unsuccessfully to steal it as part of his gang initiation, which brings his self to Walt's attention, thereby setting off the rest of the storyline.
It's an interestng theme, and Eastwood's still as badass as ever. But somehow, I still expected something more from this movie. Something; I just don't know what.
I'll continue my review of Confessions of a Shopaholic when I get back. Gotta run. =D
No, not physically. LOL
EDIT: Back, and typing.
So...here we go. We have Confessions of a Shopaholic, a film adapted from the Shopaholic series of novels by Sophie Kinsella.Okay, Imma just go surface level here. Very much a chick flick (no surprise if you've read the book), the movie leaves little to the imagination. Humorous moments are aplenty, especially with Isla Fisher as the neurotic shopaholic protagonist of the story, Rebecca Bloomwood.
As a character, Rebecca is definitely relatable. I mean, who hasn't had anything they were really passionate about and would pursue, no matter what the cost? But, like a couple of critics have said about this movie, it gives off somewhat mixed messages about (and I quote) "materialism and conspicuous consumption". So yeah.
Bleah, the ol' noggin's a little slow now.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Don't ask.
Don't ask.
Meh.
Seems like it's gonna be a full week for us, Ape.
Today, 5 pm: Out with the dudes at Plaza Sing. At least, I hope they'll still be out. =S
Wednesday: TPL Comm Meeting at SAA / All systems go for ice-skating? Lol.
Thursday: Bowling...? No news yet 'bout that, though.
Friday: Upbeats Prac.
Saturday: Bloco Prac.
Dead. Beat. *Flumph*
It's the second day of the week, and already we're busy bees around the house; moving out stuff of my aunt's and cousin's. The upgrading at their place in Yishun has since been completed, and I guess they felt the sooner they got back to it, the better.
SO basically, the whole of my yesterday can be summarised in 4 words:
Oh, wait; it's 7 words actually:
Honestly, why would anyone need so many ornamental plates in the house? I think we probably unpacked like 5 hundred BAJILLION boxes full of those goshdarn plates yesterday.
Do you know how big of a number a BAJILLION is?
Neither do I!
Okay, I exaggerate. It could have been less...maybe 7 or so...
...TRILLION.
Hey, there were a lot of plates!
So there we were, the cousins and I...
And what better way to inject more of it than by playing some Non-Stop Bhangra Mixes Volume 12! I swear, the fellas in the opposite block were having a field day with the stereo system, and it was one HELLUVA powerful stereo system, let me tell you.
On the downside, the kids are heading back too. I guess I'm gonna miss that extra life we had in the house while they were here. Ah well, all good things have come to an end sometime, don't they?
Sigh.
SO basically, the whole of my yesterday can be summarised in 4 words:
LOTS. OF. CARDBOARD. BOXES
Oh, wait; it's 7 words actually:
LOTS. OF. CARDBOARD. BOXES. AND. ORNAMENTAL. PLATES.
Honestly, why would anyone need so many ornamental plates in the house? I think we probably unpacked like 5 hundred BAJILLION boxes full of those goshdarn plates yesterday.
Do you know how big of a number a BAJILLION is?
Neither do I!
Okay, I exaggerate. It could have been less...maybe 7 or so...
...TRILLION.
Hey, there were a lot of plates!
So there we were, the cousins and I...
- Unpacking boxes
- Unwrapping newspaper-covered utensils
- Stuffing said newspaper into said boxes
- Unwrapping more newspaper-covered plates
- Stuffing said newspaper into more boxes
- Stuffing more of said newspaper into plastic bags
And what better way to inject more of it than by playing some Non-Stop Bhangra Mixes Volume 12! I swear, the fellas in the opposite block were having a field day with the stereo system, and it was one HELLUVA powerful stereo system, let me tell you.
On the downside, the kids are heading back too. I guess I'm gonna miss that extra life we had in the house while they were here. Ah well, all good things have come to an end sometime, don't they?
Sigh.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Wowza.
Wowza.
Finally gave my WHOLE BLOG an overhaul.
Going back to basics, I guess.
I really think it complements the playlist well. Or should it be the other way around...?
In any case, I'm pretty satisfied.
But I did save the old code, just in case. =P
Going back to basics, I guess.
I really think it complements the playlist well. Or should it be the other way around...?
In any case, I'm pretty satisfied.
But I did save the old code, just in case. =P
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Ahhh.
Ahhh.
Finally gave my blog playlist a complete overhaul.
I recommend plugging in your headphones, earphones, earbuds and whatnot for a better aural experience. =)
I recommend plugging in your headphones, earphones, earbuds and whatnot for a better aural experience. =)
BAM!
You know, they should really use that 'sound effect' in comics for when a character experiences a sudden realisation; an epiphany, if you will. 'Cos, really, I think I do hear it when it happens to me.
No, Ma, put the phone down. This does NOT qualify as a mental disorder.
Or does it...
Anyway, it just came to me around yesterday evening that I really am an unorthodox Malay guy.
Then again, what IS the orthodox Malay guy?
Well, I've got a checklist here, totally self-constructed on what I think makes up the average Malay dude.
He has to be:
There you have it, my take on the average Malay guy. Of course, there's definitely gonna be some massive social errors in there.
Now to see how that compares to me:
There you have it, the Oblivious Ape in four points.
No offence intended; I just tell it like it is. And, just from that, it already seems like the majority of us are like the products of some massive social engine making us out from the same mold; we all look exactly identical. And it seems like I got rejected during quality control.
Am I disappointed about being unorthodox?
A little, I guess. It sucks when your friends are talking about subjects you've never had any knowledge about, and you can't join in the conversation even if you tried because of that. Maybe you can, and maybe it'll work, but in the end one thing's for sure: it'll still be awkward. And you're really hoping it isn't gonna hamper the relationship in your struggle to conform.
But socialisation is really a lifelong process, isn't it? Over time, you learn how to accomodate the people around you into your own little social circle, and they learn how to accomodate you into theirs. Maybe it'll turn out positively, maybe it won't.
So in a way, I'm not disappointed about how I chose to live my life. It's given me a different outlook on it, and I like being different. Goshdarnit, it's what makes me ME. Yeah, I can change; that still depends on who I interact with.
At the end of the day, though, it'll be Muhammad Hafeez bin Zainalabidin that I'll be coming back home as.
Yep, alone at home. With incoherent thoughts in a post. I still need time to work on that one. =P
No, Ma, put the phone down. This does NOT qualify as a mental disorder.
Or does it...
Anyway, it just came to me around yesterday evening that I really am an unorthodox Malay guy.
Then again, what IS the orthodox Malay guy?
Well, I've got a checklist here, totally self-constructed on what I think makes up the average Malay dude.
He has to be:
- Extensively knowledgeable on local music legends.
- More comfortable conversing in (albeit, broken) Malay than English.
- Involved in a Uniformed Group at some point in his academic life.
- Be actively involved (or interested, at least) in sports, particularly soccer.
There you have it, my take on the average Malay guy. Of course, there's definitely gonna be some massive social errors in there.
Now to see how that compares to me:
- I've heard a couple of oldies, and maybe know some band names; never heard the music though, and I don't think I'll ever be interested.
- English, or Singlish is definitely my more comfortable medium. And yes, I am adamant about Singlish being an actual language, bastardization or otherwise.
- Life Sciences Club??? WTF WAS I THINKING??? *smacks forehead*
- Bleh. Sports is overrated. Occassionally, yes, I do indulge in it, but no point being a fanatic.
There you have it, the Oblivious Ape in four points.
No offence intended; I just tell it like it is. And, just from that, it already seems like the majority of us are like the products of some massive social engine making us out from the same mold; we all look exactly identical. And it seems like I got rejected during quality control.
Am I disappointed about being unorthodox?
A little, I guess. It sucks when your friends are talking about subjects you've never had any knowledge about, and you can't join in the conversation even if you tried because of that. Maybe you can, and maybe it'll work, but in the end one thing's for sure: it'll still be awkward. And you're really hoping it isn't gonna hamper the relationship in your struggle to conform.
But socialisation is really a lifelong process, isn't it? Over time, you learn how to accomodate the people around you into your own little social circle, and they learn how to accomodate you into theirs. Maybe it'll turn out positively, maybe it won't.
So in a way, I'm not disappointed about how I chose to live my life. It's given me a different outlook on it, and I like being different. Goshdarnit, it's what makes me ME. Yeah, I can change; that still depends on who I interact with.
At the end of the day, though, it'll be Muhammad Hafeez bin Zainalabidin that I'll be coming back home as.
Yep, alone at home. With incoherent thoughts in a post. I still need time to work on that one. =P
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Bleearggh.
Bleearggh.
One word: Wasted.
That's how I'm feeling after I finally managed to complete the walk from MY HOUSE TO SINGAPORE EXPO AND BACK. WOOT!
Yes, clearly it is April Fools' Day, and you might think that this is a joke.
10.12 kilometres baby...that ain't no joke. I have considered putting in a Rick Roll in here somewhere, but...well, meh.
Okay, maybe not wasted, but I'll be damned if I weren't so fucking ecstatic that I finally did it. That's going up on the personal achievement board. =D
Now to wait another 1 and a half days for the sore muscles to heal up. Man, they hurt. =S
On a side note, I'm sorry if I've been a little selfish to you lately. I really don't know how, or why this is happening; it's like all compassion goes out the window, leaving me with just a burning desire to just see you, no matter what the cost. Fucked up, ain't it?
This has got to stop. =S
Uhh. Yeah. *smacks forehead*
That's how I'm feeling after I finally managed to complete the walk from MY HOUSE TO SINGAPORE EXPO AND BACK. WOOT!
Yes, clearly it is April Fools' Day, and you might think that this is a joke.
10.12 kilometres baby...that ain't no joke. I have considered putting in a Rick Roll in here somewhere, but...well, meh.
Okay, maybe not wasted, but I'll be damned if I weren't so fucking ecstatic that I finally did it. That's going up on the personal achievement board. =D
Now to wait another 1 and a half days for the sore muscles to heal up. Man, they hurt. =S
Uhh. Yeah. *smacks forehead*
