Stadium Arcadium

Just received the prize notification e-mail from Warner Brothers tonight that I won the CD Album! Cool. It's not the first time I have won one of these crazy contests... got the Star Wars Tee-Shirt from Lucas Films when Episode II hit the screens, plus CDs from Power98FM - Hope Floats soundtrack (I did not collect that one), etc.

But this one beats them all.

I knew in my gut that I would get it, and yeee-how! Yeah!

Now, it's just a matter of waiting till 5 June to collect the CD set from Warner Music. Hey, it feels like I now get to ride a little on the stars....! Wow!

Well, for the losers out there, trust me, I know what it feels like! But every dog has its day, and it is sweet!

The Tay Family

It is the merry month of May again, when I just thought it was not too long ago that we had our last May Tay Family Gathering... It's a novel tradition born out of convenience. You see, there are three birthdays in the month, more if you include the extended family of godchildren, two wedding anniversaries, and of course, Mother's Day. Notwithstanding that, in June, there are more birthdays to follow. So, it became a practice that we would celebrate all these happy days with just one family dinner. The only other times would be Chinese New Year eve and Christmas Day. Fortunately, we have found other excuses and opportunities to gather around that lazy susan and a host of dishes to feast on.

This time, it was at the Mon Hong Teochew Restaurant, which was located at Keypoint, off Beach Road. The weird coincidence was that it was scheduled at the end of my first week of work. And guess where do I work? At Keypoint itself.

That aside, I managed to bring the WOLF BLASS Gold Label Shiraz 2005, which was terrific by itself. But the family aren't wine afficiandos, so when I poured the first glasses with tasting portion for Nancy and friend, I got looks back from them, with the comment, "Wah, only for tasting hah?" It was funny, really. Here I was, trying to be all decorous, and I get this laid-back Chin-Ga-Pore reply from my in-law and her friend.

There was the whole usual affair of what the menu ought to comprise, since several of the "next generation" did not like this, could not eat that, or would not eat those... It is a mystery why the palate is so varied within our family, but the whole Baba preference of learning to appreciate food in its variety seems lost on them. At least, the dinner went on without any real gripes.

The gripes did come though the next day for me, and I found myself working the John till Monday! I can't pass that darn restaurant now when I am at work without thinking about the gripes and my trips to the loo... Urgh!

Anyway, here's the family photograph. Yes, Pete looks like he's saying "shoooooo!" but he looked better in the first shot. But it's my blog, and I figured that I (the tallest at the back) definitely smiled a lot better in this one! Hahahah!

Axe, Man!

I can't wait for the third installation of the X-Men trilogy, which opens on 25 May. But that evening, I expect to have a dinner appointment, and can't watch the film. Maybe a sneak the night before? Anyway, I cruised through 11.6 km yesterday afternoon before the annual family dinner in the evening, and clocked a niffy under 60 mins, all without chaffing and huffing. Then, this evening, I felt sometime light and eager to kick up some adrenalin and let the dopamine do its trick, so I ran an easy 8 km or 7.6 km to Bishan Park in the evening. It went off without a hitch, with the muscles all ready and easy, and I left like a young stud on a good gallop, again, without even breaking a big sweat, my pace, with easy breathing all the way. Also, I'm getting better with Plitt's leg raises. Perhaps I am at this time, getting a wee bit leaner while the muscle tissue still retains its strength. It might not be permanent, but it does tell me about my achieving my optimal in running, if I have had an a couple of weeks' break. What I need to do, is run easy on Day 1 on 6 km, spring on day 2, and run easy with a strong pace on day 3. Take a break on day 4 with light exercises, and a complete rest on day 5. Then on day 6, take the full 10+ km on a sprint pace. And if you feel right (like I did today) hit a mid-distance 7.6 or 8 km at moderate pace (ie. low impact, moderate resistance, easy track run). Again, I completed the 8 km run with excellent time and at aerobic rate, possibly without exerting my cardio system, as I hardly broke a big sweat not lost my breath. I wonder if I will get a chance to hit the pool this week, but right now it feels very good to be on the running drills. Maybe I will try the bike in the evenings, and the run as well, while hitting the pool in the morning... that might become the ideal. We will have to test it. But definitely Monday evening will have to be early... I don't want to miss "Desperate Housewives" on FIVE... at ten p.m.! Let's see if this can be kept up! PS: A short note on Ben Foster playing Archangel/Warren in the upcoming X-MEN III (opens 25 May)... I mean, he's the quirky bloke who plays one of Frank Castle's neighbours in THE PUNISHER, remember? The one who had his nose and earrings all pulled out when he refused to give away Frank's whereabouts? Also, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (who plays Mystique in the X-Men franchise) was the other neighbour and Castle's new love interest. All in the MARVEL family. Okay, but the point is that if that chicken can beef-up and look that good, there's an incentive for an old dog to make it work!

A New Light, Infancy and Future

Here is my newest godson, Elliot Howe Wen Rui, born on Monday morning at 5.34 am (thereabouts) on Monday, 20 March 2006 at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Proud parents are Allison and Stanley Howe, my best and long-time friends, whose devotion and friendship has endured to my great personal benefit for much of two decades. The little bundle was 6 weeks ahead of his time, and has since gained much weight and strength from the incredible care and adulation! He's simply adorable, but a real grouse about comfort, with a particular preference for cool and quiet... it must be the genes! I can't wait till he's six months, and eleven, and two years, and six, and 12, and 24 and when he's a father himself. To all my godsons, I have always cherished you in my prayer, and entrust you in care to the goodness of God, in whom all things find completion and praise.

Eagle Lands, Spirit Soaring To Great Height

Friday, 5 May 2006

It was an afternoon of errands with Stan's car for Allison, and then off to Changi Airport Terminal Two to pick Stan up from Phuket. His flight landed at 1740 hrs. After getting him home and having Allison's brother Josie drop himself off at Raffles City to get the MRT to meet his wife for dinner at Far East Plaza, I drove off back to the airport to fetch my great spirit-brother and Ashtanga yogi teacher, Doug Eagle. Eagle was last in Singapore in 2003 where he had a short stopover, and left an indelible impression on the people who met him at Club Oasis, Grand Hyatt Singapore. Here again, he was, in transit for his fourth visit to Mysore and I was really blessed to have the chance to get some really wonderful quality time with this wonderful brother and friend! He is plainly luminous in heart and spirit and that light shines through in his words and action, and the warmth of his heart in every expression and care exuded.

Before long, and after calling for a short visit at my brother Joe's place to meet the family, especially Sarah-Ann and Mary-Ann, we were off to Mustafa for late-night shopping for his trip essentials. I hope the CASIO G-SHOCK I got him will serve him well, and keep me in constant remembrance. We had a wonderful time in the morning as we awoke from minimal sleep, but refreshed. Then it was off to the airport for check-in and breakfast, final hugs and the most sincere spiritual communion among earthly souls as I have ever known. Namaste, Aloha, Eagle - take flight and soar once more, as my Spirit is moved along with yours!

A Great Relaxing Moment

You are right, DJ, it was pretty relaxing and a great change! Thanks, and really, I am so sorry and embarrassed about landing your XR250 sideways. Guess I was over-confident and unfamiliar with the biting point, so clutching in go the bike to freewheel and I was too slow on the footbrake! I thought my instincts were better, but well, hell, like a good many things, I was wrong...! Anyway, it was great catching up and I look forward to the future and us getting together again.

Earthly Kinetics

I can't explain how the world works, perhaps because our minds are geared to see patterns in what is a pretty complicated weave of causes, consequences and incidents. Of course, in this universe, there is hardly anything which is truly random, as every particle and wave, every form and force exerts itself in some way upon its surroundings, and the little understood quantum of laws that should explain everything is far from being easy to put into our current intellectual vocabulary. In any case, the world turns and we struggle to survive or make more determined effort to influence the surrounding and circumstance. Our personal potency is not always sufficiently kinetic to effect the changes we want, and sometimes or often times, the shots may be called by a friend or foe. Throughout the past five years since 2002, when the orbit I have travelled seem travailed by adventure and threat, solitude and unparrelled dishevel, I have enjoyed the quiet companionship of a few reliable satellites. Like stars or constellations, these have been my own guide and light, illuminating and fixing my course through the hard and harsh. It is a long, long night, in eclipse and uncertainty. What have I gained, and as much what I have lost: 1. Losing some of that old baggage, that trash which is wrought from the untrue and the unfaithful - these were good, very good to let go off and move away from; let their own fates rule, so to speak... 2. Losing some long time hopes and expectations based on the eternal belief that people are sincere and fair, of the best intentions and will see through their promises; now, this is tempered by the plain, brutal facts; people are self-interested first and foremost, and almost everything else is a convenience... the truly unselfish are as rare as the unexplainable in the cosmos... 3. Losing fear, about life, about hope, about faith, and about friendship, and about death; this experience we have is an illusion. The stark reality is about the imperceivable spirit that exists, where our tangible and feeble sensibilities cannot fathom or relate, reflect or communicate. It is like one medium of wood to another of pure plasma, conductive when struck, but otherwise as separate as light and rock... What I have gained from losing all these, is joy, joy, joy and a greater personal sense of humour. But fundamentally, it stems from the knowledge that who I am can grow but I am the same. Some aspects of my personality and ego may take greater form, but I am still fundamentally that passionate and impatient human. If saints are made, then the manufacturing process is unknown to my own fate or destiny. I was made to relish the hard tangibles of a life that is about the human passion and voice. Perhaps within that framework, there is some ardour for the human palate and beauty, whatever and however that may be. What I have gained, is a profound appreciation for the way I have to live this life: with a sense of my own frailty, not as a limitation of what I can accomplish, but knowing where the effort and will must endure the transformation and process of becoming. I may last through it, postpone success, or give up altogether (?), or struggle on, with different strategies and tactics until I am... But most of all, is the sense of peace, which wells up from accepting that mistakes made, and the foolishness that comes with the ego at work. Some advice I have received have been great, even if the messenger was less than true or faithful, or at least useful for deeper reflection and then when you realise that what was given to you was false, you understand better why you need to reject offers and opportunities in relationships that simply will not work. These people themselves may not know it, but their own perceptions and manner of life is cancer. The best defence is to accord peace, avoid trial and confrontation, and communicate kindness which may not heal or transform (nothing miraculous!), but it will shore up our own immunity against an eventual travail. Peace, in all its forms, cannot be faked. ================================= Did a great sprint this morning, and noticed all the figs that fell on along the route. Picked up a select handful and brought them to my parent's place for their pair of "love birds" named Jack and Jill to feast on. Oddly, I was in my running tights only and my parents did not even "wink" at my lack of clothing. That was comforting, as I was sweaty and dripping! Got an ice lolly and headed home where I quickly showered and headed to Allison's home to get errands done for her with Stan's car. The whole afternoon was otherwise peaceful, perforated by little Elliot's cholic. He obviously misses the comfort of his nanny and demands quite a bit of Allison's attention, which he would not let up from. It must have been tiring for her! Evening was a full flush at MORTON's with Ah Yoke, a sumptuous meal: I had a Porterhouse steak medium rare, which was excellent of the highest order, appetizers of scallop wrapped in bacon steak and flavoured with apricot chutney, salad filled with blue cheese crumps, and a wholesome desert platter which included fresh raspberries with cream, creme bruie, and chocolate cake. There was the Sonoma County (Gloria Ferrer) Pinot Noir, a macchiato and Cointreau. This is contemplation of the highest order, ZaZen or eucharist, and I did praise the good Lord!

Wine & Dine

Had lunch with Francis and DJ yesterday, which was a spontaneous event and very platable. It was great to see that both were well and happy. On my part, the company was certainly appreciated and I enjoyed seeing these two fine friends hearty and with fond affection. Felt like I was back in a strange world, familiar yet alien. But it was a day filled with appointments and new promise. I don't know if the haircut, Aunt Elsie's funeral the day before, or just the fact that it is a time of great expectation with the Singapore GE around the corner this weekend, giving rise to a sense of a brand new day. It was good to chat up with CJ at Starbucks Concourse after my meeting with Agatha over Chai Tea for her, and the new Peabody blend on drip for me. The the evening closed with dinner at the Jalan Batu hawker centre where chicken laksa swooshed over the two mugs of coffee I had in the afternoon, and topped off with all the on-goings of life in the small world I live in, where things are just on the verge of change, once more. It may be time to wine and dine, and make good all the things I have long cherished in this life.

Left Rotator - Cuffed And Caught!

It is a chronic weakness, that even in the most unsuspecting circumstances, one might end up with a rotator sprain. Untreated, I won't be surprised if gout or arthritis might develop; so there's the usual treatment of rest, and rest etc. (RICE, for example) to help me get my left anterior rotator in ship-shape again. Actually, it happened because of the way I was resting on my couch, somewhat slouching with my left arm raised on the backrest and with my body weight on it at an awkward angle over time, and gradually increasing the angle/pressure - thanks for the rest of my back muscles slouching further, I definitely sprained the rotator. And like the right side before, this is PAINFUL!!! To read more about this condition, check out this incredible site/link at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/fongemie.html No, it's nothing serious, but it hurts to do anything. Good penance for a lazy guy! Well, what did they say about pain and gain... I can only add: "Rubbish!" No pain is best. Don't get short on posture and form! Well, it's a -- er, painful reminder?