(Narrated in the style of Meredith Grey)
The world is a messed up place. I have often wondered, why do farmers earn so little. They are very important people. We depend on them to survive. Their work is tough; working a whole day in the fields under the hot sun till their muscles ache. Then they return home late in the evening, and prepare for another day. Imagine if all the farmers went on strike and money could not buy food. Where would we get food from? We would starve to death or learn to grow our own food. Then we'd realise how lucky we are. I think society needs to re-arrange the priorities. A farmer should earn no less than a doctor if he works just as hard. After all, how is a Doctor's job of "saving lives" more important than a farmer's job of "nurturing life"? It's not.
Which brings me to the next topic. Money. How much money we have defines how much we are worth. Money is like a form of credit or bartering chip. For every service rendered (unless it's free service), we earn money. Then we can exchange that money for something else (ie. buying something). A service that we have done earlier enables us to gain something back, at a later date. It's a good system, where one contributes something and gets something back from his contribution, now, or at a later date. Supposedly, those who are very rich with wealth to last three generations have done so much for the society that they can simply live and do nothing for the rest of their lives. Think of it this way, when they spend money, they are extracting back the benefits of the favours they have done earlier in life. If they deserve it, why not. But unfortunately, many will lie, cheat and steal to earn money which they don't deserve. They manipulate others and inflate their self-worth. They become filthy rich, but at the expense of others. The money has to come from somewhere, usually from the toil and labor of others. In other words, these "rich" people are unjustly taking the self-worth of others and claiming it as their own. Even more unfortunately, the "survival of the fittest" seems to favour not only the best among us, but also the dishonest and those who can inflate their self-worth artificially.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A late night
Another late night. Alone again. It was a beautiful night, dark and peaceful. The silhouettes of the trees swayed gently behind the glowing orange streetlights. Leaves swirled in the air, following the rhythm of the air current. I turned the air-con down to 1 and pushed the blower away from me. It was getting chilly.
I was driving slowly, though the road was deserted. I was still faster than the campus speed limit of 40, but at this speed, I was sure the guards would not stop me. I looked at the newly completed Grand Hall as it passed on my left. It was a massive cylindrical building, more than five stories high. Painted white with green criss-cross bands all over it, it looked incomplete, a rushed work. It would be used for this year’s graduation ceremony which would be in October, just next month. I would love to attend, if I was given an invite.
I rounded the curve and came to a small roundabout , taking the three quarter exit which led to the boulevard leading in and out of the campus. I passed the guardhouse, waved politely at the guard. He grinned back at me and waved me past. I knew the guy, he was the friendly handsome guy. It was late, so he did not check the car boot. The guards only checked the car boots at about 5pm, the time just after office hours. I always wondered why. It made it so easy for me to steal some fancy lab machine, had I wanted to.
I stopped at the traffic lights and waited for my turn. When the light flicked green, I turned to the right and cruised down the deserted road, keeping a healthy 90-100. I glanced at the clock. It was already 1146pm. Not that late, but I was rather exhausted today. My energy level was down low, and even at 1, the chill of the air-con was giving me the creeps. I turned it off. I fingered the quick-control button on the steering wheel, sampling each radio station for a few seconds each. There was nothing good. I switched to CD. Amy Winehouse begun whining how I knew she was no good. Actually, I thought she was good. I loved her voice and unique style and the beats that accompanied her music though I only fully-appreciated her after her untimely passing. I drove on the right lane, the fast lane. Indeed I was the fastest car that night as I overtook a few slow drivers crawling on the left. They were playing it safe, driving slowly. Good thing they took the left, or they would have really annoyed me. I slowed down as I came to the first round about. Traffic was clear, so I did not stop. I entered the roundabout, took the first exit and continued cruising down the straight road.
Tears Dry on Their Own began to play and I thought of the wonderful video that came with my favourite song. Her pierced upper lip was so sexy, especially when it wasn’t studded, and her boobs were so big in that tiny dress she wore. I had once googled “did Amy Winehouse get a boob job”. Some website said she did. But I still don’t really know. Can’t really trust websites these days. But I think she did. You know celebrities these days. I came to the next roundabout and after that drove across the bridge. Even at this ungodly hour, there were people fishing. Most were men, dressed in simple clothes. They held on to their rods, their lines reaching many meters down the bridge into the water. Seemed like fun. They just parked their motorbikes on the shoulder of the road. I sometimes wished I could go fishing like them, but then, where would I park my car? And who would I go with? I continued on, came to the final roundabout which marked the entrance to the city-proper. Back to civilization. I took the first left exit and continued on my journey home.
The road was still rather deserted all the way back home. It took about 30 minutes all in all, from the moment my car left the carpark, till my car entered the driveway. Reaching home, I saw my mom was still awake, watching TV upstairs. I screamed out that I was home. Then I quickly gobbled up the rice and chicken curry she had left for me on the dining table. I went to the room, got changed. It was far too cold to bathe. I turned the air-con on to cool the room, then went upstairs and checked my downloads. Damn, only 800mb, so slow. I had left my computer on the whole day, and only about 800mb worth of downloads. I felt screwed somehow. I checked my facebook, scanned through the hundreds of new posts. About half an hour later, I came back down to sleep. I quickly brushed my teeth, turned off the air-con, turned on the fan, and snuggled into bed. I crept out of bed and shouted to my mom to wake me at 630 tomorrow. Then I set my own alarm-clock, can’t afford to be late, and snuggled back into bed.
The damn chicken woke me up at about 623 the next morning. Nothing like having three alarm clocks, one biological, two mechanical. Or is it the other way around, two biological and one mechanical? THE END.
FICTION
-this is a work of FICTION.
I was driving slowly, though the road was deserted. I was still faster than the campus speed limit of 40, but at this speed, I was sure the guards would not stop me. I looked at the newly completed Grand Hall as it passed on my left. It was a massive cylindrical building, more than five stories high. Painted white with green criss-cross bands all over it, it looked incomplete, a rushed work. It would be used for this year’s graduation ceremony which would be in October, just next month. I would love to attend, if I was given an invite.
I rounded the curve and came to a small roundabout , taking the three quarter exit which led to the boulevard leading in and out of the campus. I passed the guardhouse, waved politely at the guard. He grinned back at me and waved me past. I knew the guy, he was the friendly handsome guy. It was late, so he did not check the car boot. The guards only checked the car boots at about 5pm, the time just after office hours. I always wondered why. It made it so easy for me to steal some fancy lab machine, had I wanted to.
I stopped at the traffic lights and waited for my turn. When the light flicked green, I turned to the right and cruised down the deserted road, keeping a healthy 90-100. I glanced at the clock. It was already 1146pm. Not that late, but I was rather exhausted today. My energy level was down low, and even at 1, the chill of the air-con was giving me the creeps. I turned it off. I fingered the quick-control button on the steering wheel, sampling each radio station for a few seconds each. There was nothing good. I switched to CD. Amy Winehouse begun whining how I knew she was no good. Actually, I thought she was good. I loved her voice and unique style and the beats that accompanied her music though I only fully-appreciated her after her untimely passing. I drove on the right lane, the fast lane. Indeed I was the fastest car that night as I overtook a few slow drivers crawling on the left. They were playing it safe, driving slowly. Good thing they took the left, or they would have really annoyed me. I slowed down as I came to the first round about. Traffic was clear, so I did not stop. I entered the roundabout, took the first exit and continued cruising down the straight road.
Tears Dry on Their Own began to play and I thought of the wonderful video that came with my favourite song. Her pierced upper lip was so sexy, especially when it wasn’t studded, and her boobs were so big in that tiny dress she wore. I had once googled “did Amy Winehouse get a boob job”. Some website said she did. But I still don’t really know. Can’t really trust websites these days. But I think she did. You know celebrities these days. I came to the next roundabout and after that drove across the bridge. Even at this ungodly hour, there were people fishing. Most were men, dressed in simple clothes. They held on to their rods, their lines reaching many meters down the bridge into the water. Seemed like fun. They just parked their motorbikes on the shoulder of the road. I sometimes wished I could go fishing like them, but then, where would I park my car? And who would I go with? I continued on, came to the final roundabout which marked the entrance to the city-proper. Back to civilization. I took the first left exit and continued on my journey home.
The road was still rather deserted all the way back home. It took about 30 minutes all in all, from the moment my car left the carpark, till my car entered the driveway. Reaching home, I saw my mom was still awake, watching TV upstairs. I screamed out that I was home. Then I quickly gobbled up the rice and chicken curry she had left for me on the dining table. I went to the room, got changed. It was far too cold to bathe. I turned the air-con on to cool the room, then went upstairs and checked my downloads. Damn, only 800mb, so slow. I had left my computer on the whole day, and only about 800mb worth of downloads. I felt screwed somehow. I checked my facebook, scanned through the hundreds of new posts. About half an hour later, I came back down to sleep. I quickly brushed my teeth, turned off the air-con, turned on the fan, and snuggled into bed. I crept out of bed and shouted to my mom to wake me at 630 tomorrow. Then I set my own alarm-clock, can’t afford to be late, and snuggled back into bed.
The damn chicken woke me up at about 623 the next morning. Nothing like having three alarm clocks, one biological, two mechanical. Or is it the other way around, two biological and one mechanical? THE END.
FICTION
-this is a work of FICTION.
Book Reviews (1)
Here are some books that I have read in the past year or so. I've never wrote a book review before and damnnnn it's hard to write a book review, especially since it's been awhile since I've read these books. The last book I've read, Eragon, will be in a separate post.
*
*
*
*
*
*
The Hunger Games Trilogy (Suzanne Collins):
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
MockingJay
*
Rating: 10/10 <- Must read
*
I couldn't write something that describes how good these books are. Definitely among the best books that I've ever read.
*****
****
***
**
*
The Wicked Times (Gregory Maguire):
Wicked: The life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the west
Son of a Witch
A lion among men
*
Rating: 9.5/10 <- Must read
*
Sometimes, Wicked is hard to understand, and sometimes even boring. But even that cannot diminish the greatness of this book. Wicked is an alternate version to "The Wizard of Oz". The awesomeness of this book comes from it's characters, mainly the "wicked" witch of the west, Elphie. She isn't the evil witch that she is portrayed in "The Wizard of Oz" at all. I've always had a thing for "villains", and this was the other side of her story. It was interesting to meet the many characters in this book, such as the "Goodie Two Shoe" Dorothy. In Wicked, she was a real person (although slightly dumb), not the self-righteous bastard that killed the witch in the Wizard of Oz. I had a great time reading Wicked and couldn't get enough. The sequel, son of a Witch is a fitting continuation to the story but I found A Lion Among Men to be slightly below par.
*****
****
***
**
*
Incarceron (Catherine Fisher)
Saphique (Catherine Fisher)
Fantastic concept
*
Rating: 8/10
*
A great adventure. Unique setting and plot.
*****
****
***
**
*
Bartimaeus Trilogy: The amulet of Samarkand (Jonathan Stroud)
*
Rating 7/10
*
A fun read although boring at times and very long winded. Great concept and plot.
*****
****
***
**
*
My sister's keeper (Judy Picoult)
*
Rating: 8/10
*
This story is told from the first person's point of view, from multiple perspectives. Great characterization and plot. However, be warned that the ending was so bad and unbelievable that it ruined an otherwise awesome book.
*****
****
***
**
*
The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
Rating: 0/10 <-Complete waste of time
*
I couldn't finish this book. I wasted my time ploughing through half-way hoping that it would pick up, but it never did.
*****
****
***
**
*
Tuesday's with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
*
Rating: 5/10
*
People say that this book is inspiring etc etc etc. For all the hype surrounding this book, I was ultimately let down. Do read it if you are free. Or..you could find a better book.
*****
****
***
**
*
The Spirit Thief (Rachel Aaron)
*
Rating: 6/10
*
Quite entertaining and fun to read but nothing more.
*****
****
***
**
*
Demonwar Saga (Raymond E. Feist)
*
Rating: 8/10
*
I grew up reading Raymond E. Feist. For a long time, he was my only source of fantasy. I have almost a complete collection of his earlier works in paperback. I loved the world of Midkemia, and most ESPECIALLY Kelewan. I loved all his characters. In the Demonwar Saga, REF really REALLY ruined it for me. Let's say it ended with a REALLY big bang. For what it's worth, it was awesomely written though. Anyway, the Demonwar saga is quite different from the other REF books, especially the setting. Definitely worth a read if you are a REF fan. If you're not yet a fan, start with his earlier books (Riftwar Trilogy and Empire Trilogy) and you'll love him.
*****
****
***
**
*
Darkwar Saga (Raymond E. Feist)
*
Rating: 8/10
*
In this saga, he killed my favourite character.
*****
****
***
**
*
In Progress:
Eldest (Christopher Paolini)
East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Golem's eye (Jonathan Stroud)
*
*
*
*
*
*
The Hunger Games Trilogy (Suzanne Collins):
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
MockingJay
*
Rating: 10/10 <- Must read
*
I couldn't write something that describes how good these books are. Definitely among the best books that I've ever read.
*****
****
***
**
*
The Wicked Times (Gregory Maguire):
Wicked: The life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the west
Son of a Witch
A lion among men
*
Rating: 9.5/10 <- Must read
*
Sometimes, Wicked is hard to understand, and sometimes even boring. But even that cannot diminish the greatness of this book. Wicked is an alternate version to "The Wizard of Oz". The awesomeness of this book comes from it's characters, mainly the "wicked" witch of the west, Elphie. She isn't the evil witch that she is portrayed in "The Wizard of Oz" at all. I've always had a thing for "villains", and this was the other side of her story. It was interesting to meet the many characters in this book, such as the "Goodie Two Shoe" Dorothy. In Wicked, she was a real person (although slightly dumb), not the self-righteous bastard that killed the witch in the Wizard of Oz. I had a great time reading Wicked and couldn't get enough. The sequel, son of a Witch is a fitting continuation to the story but I found A Lion Among Men to be slightly below par.
*****
****
***
**
*
Incarceron (Catherine Fisher)
Saphique (Catherine Fisher)
Fantastic concept
*
Rating: 8/10
*
A great adventure. Unique setting and plot.
*****
****
***
**
*
Bartimaeus Trilogy: The amulet of Samarkand (Jonathan Stroud)
*
Rating 7/10
*
A fun read although boring at times and very long winded. Great concept and plot.
*****
****
***
**
*
My sister's keeper (Judy Picoult)
*
Rating: 8/10
*
This story is told from the first person's point of view, from multiple perspectives. Great characterization and plot. However, be warned that the ending was so bad and unbelievable that it ruined an otherwise awesome book.
*****
****
***
**
*
The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
Rating: 0/10 <-Complete waste of time
*
I couldn't finish this book. I wasted my time ploughing through half-way hoping that it would pick up, but it never did.
*****
****
***
**
*
Tuesday's with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
*
Rating: 5/10
*
People say that this book is inspiring etc etc etc. For all the hype surrounding this book, I was ultimately let down. Do read it if you are free. Or..you could find a better book.
*****
****
***
**
*
The Spirit Thief (Rachel Aaron)
*
Rating: 6/10
*
Quite entertaining and fun to read but nothing more.
*****
****
***
**
*
Demonwar Saga (Raymond E. Feist)
*
Rating: 8/10
*
I grew up reading Raymond E. Feist. For a long time, he was my only source of fantasy. I have almost a complete collection of his earlier works in paperback. I loved the world of Midkemia, and most ESPECIALLY Kelewan. I loved all his characters. In the Demonwar Saga, REF really REALLY ruined it for me. Let's say it ended with a REALLY big bang. For what it's worth, it was awesomely written though. Anyway, the Demonwar saga is quite different from the other REF books, especially the setting. Definitely worth a read if you are a REF fan. If you're not yet a fan, start with his earlier books (Riftwar Trilogy and Empire Trilogy) and you'll love him.
*****
****
***
**
*
Darkwar Saga (Raymond E. Feist)
*
Rating: 8/10
*
In this saga, he killed my favourite character.
*****
****
***
**
*
In Progress:
Eldest (Christopher Paolini)
East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Golem's eye (Jonathan Stroud)
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