Fresh paint and working in bright sunlight

 

Grilles fitted over our windows - especially in low rise flats - are still unsightly. Interestingly, in Holland, lower floor apartments are not permitted to have these as the hinder escape in emergencies. And at higher floors, these are intended for suicide prevention. Singapore flats are fitted with these as a preventive measure to deter criminal break-ins. It's the same function item, but depending on the historical-social cultural landscape you are influenced by (in this case, British or Dutch), the rules, practice and preference for these metal grilles across your windows vary.

Fortunately, these ones over my rear room window - sort of an annexe room - can slide aside. But that is for the unusual need to have flat occupants put out the laundry in these long bamboo poles (colloquially known in Malay as "gala"). These hang outside the windows to catch the windy draft and sun light for the clothes to dry.

I just re-painted the annexe room and turned it into a cosy workspace which is beautifully sunlit and more airy, until these afternoon Westerlies (monsoon from Sumatra which blow in from the South-west, hence the name) thunder in.

Still, the ambient light is so good that I can work without turning on the room light or desktop lamp, which makes for better ecological concern. Being more airy as well, I hardly need to have the ventilation giro-fan switched on -- until the computer heats up, of course.

It is just a joy to finally paint the spot and get things all cleaned and arranged. But the need to clear out some collectibles and unwanted items continues. Some items are plainly too costly to dispose off or send to the recycling centre. The Nano-Cube (original item) with acquarium lights/pump/filters and CO2 tank cost more then S$1200 and that is simply too wasteful to dispose off. I will have to check around if anyone would like to have it and would be happy to pass these along. Then again, I never know when I might want to re-start my freshwater acquarium again. It was fun and wonderful to have, but involved a great deal of water and cleaning too, plus power, which did not make for great eco-sense as it was not a significant carbon sink but used up significant power and water, and included a CO2 tank to fuel the underplants in their photosynthesis in artificial lighting. Acquaria like these are in fact, carbon costly in principal, and operate in a reverse day (illuminated at night and dark in the day) mainly to be an in-door attraction when the owner is at home in the evening and retiring from the day.

Back From The Long Retreat

It has been a while indeed, and the time away was well used to refresh, renew and rejuvenate. It was how time was spent, not how money was spent travelling abroad as an escapade. Someone just told me that Singaporeans generally feel so couped up with life on the island that being on a bike and abroad represents all the freedom the spirit can enjoy, which provides a sense of escape and liberation. Unfortunately, that theory was intended to explain why we have had bike fatalities involving Singaporean riders abroad and locally. I am not so sure that theory holds water.
But I can share that the last five months of private time at home was extremely gratuitious and proved very helpful, spirit - mind - body wise.
The time in retreat is now over and I must needs be back at work and at life, gathering back together the loose pieces of opportunity and cares, which have been indulgently laid aside during my retreat.
The most important gift of the retreat is the release of certain burdensome cares, two in particular:
first is that of long time disappointment and despise for a relationship within the family that previously brought nothing but frustration; and,
second is that of the realisation of discrete trust being essential in all matter of work and friendship. Some friendships - founded at work and grew beyond the office - are still to be treated with the same cautionary wisdom - simply because the persons involved in these relationships grew at a different pace and with another paradigm of wisdom and values. So, not all friendships are to be treated the same, and not all friends offer the same wisdom and maturity of person.
What's new then? Nothing to most - perhaps - but we come to our own realisations as we ponder and reflect on events and circumstances that now make up our personal history, and with these come the lessons we can take with us.
So the bottom line is this no different from what the ancient philosopher proferred: Know Thyself. Sophists may sneer now at my "late blooming" so to speak, but what else can be more profound that experiencing the many dimensions of an ancient truth in a personal and real way. I have let go of the relationships that are futile; and must be boldly scrupulous about where opportunity and utility meets, to then take rein and find yield. To the dockside, where the yacht is prepared, and to the weather ahead, make plan and provision to leave the hugged coastline and venture to welcome havens...