Junk mail Ethics?

In the technology savy world we are in now, spam - a form of junk mail - has often clogged up our emails reduce us of our over reliant techno junk daily funtions. We are often incessed by such mail and no matter how many spam blockers and junk mail clearance, it seems never to stop and to a point where the email ceases to lose its very basic functionality - to receive email; important ones mind you. And email is a very precious commodity especially for us who cant afford to pay email providers nuts for that extra service or function to enhance and reduce such intrusion.

Like email, our normal letter box as graciously provided by the housing board is also never free from junk mail.

Advertising they say. Cheap too.

The whole story of it is that such physical matter doesn't have spam blockers or automatic junk mail removal. If spam gets to you and makes you so incessed, think about the unnecessary flyers left on the floor of our buildings rite smack in front of the elevator (lift).

If you are disgusted by the amount of space spam takes up in your email, then think of the eye sore-and i mean eye sore - these flyers and pieces of 'toilet paper' (hell! we don't even want to use them as toilet paper) cause on the anger and disgust scale.

Pieces and pieces of crushed up paper strewn on the floor.
Dang!
What's happening to the gracious society we are talking about?
What's happening to the so called clean city of Singapore?
What's happening to us?

Foreign nationals? You blame it on foreign workers?
What ever happened to our educated societal Singapore?
The educated ones are as much guilty as their foreign counterparts.

We are quick to blame foreigners.
We are quick to blame the bins.
We are quick to blame cleaners.

For Pete's (whoever he is) sake, there's a bin there!

And as today's gracious goverment and technology for the nation's people,
the housing board has provided a catch to the letterbox opening to block unwanted junk mail from entering and has so far prevented unwanted entries.
Why can't these people put the catch on? Don't know how to use. Hell, the board even put a simple one piece manual in the mailbox for your convinience. It does not take a genius how to work it out.

Please keep it clean.

I am so tempted to stake out to find the culprits and rake up all their junk mail and dump them at their doorsteps with the labels " I believe these belong to you!"

If only we take that extra mm and a joule of effort...

Fallin

- Even the best fall down sometimes -

Tax Evasion

In light of the recent media coverage on the Melvin case - the punishment of one Melvin for not duly fulfilling his national service duties - it is an opportune to comment on the big huha.

It was a national outrage and a big public outcry, judging from the large front page publication in the Straits Times by the masses on the issue of evading National Service that the parliment has passed a bill to amend the current law on National Service evasion under the National Enlistment Act.

The angle taken by the masses seems wrong.
The masses were outraged by the apparent light sentence (fine) by the government on the accused.

Under the Singapore law (Enlistment Act) boys or men the age of 16 are legible for enlistment in National Service. They have to complete the patriachal duty for a length of 2 to 2 and a half years.

Anyone, any boy, any man, anyone sane for that matter will have the thinking of...oh no!
I'm gonna be torture for 2 years or more
I'm gonna be paid measly for being tortured for 2 years or more.
I'm gonna waste time for 2 years or more.
I'm gonna lose 2 years of my life or more
I'm gonna lose out to my girl counterparts
I'm gonna lose my girlfriend.

Those are the thoughts. Morbid (maybe) thoughts. Some of them are my thoughts.

So I can certainly understand for big rara or huha by people towards our dear Melvin.

I am not gonna stand here and talk about morals or how heavy or light the punishment is.
Neither am I gonna stand here and preach about nationalism and duty.
Because I for one did not want to be in national service when it came.

However, I took it as it came and go with it. Go with the flow as some may say.
But after going through the process, I began to realise there is much more than national security. I learned a lot more.

I learn to deal with people. Take responsibility. Be discipline (that was my most disciplined time). The fittest time in my life I had ever been. Be a leader. Deal with crap food. (not anymore I've heard) Learn new sports. Build mental strength.

But most of all, I learn to appreciate how lucky I am. What sense?
Luckier than some I have met and made friends with during this 2 or more years.

So when the article came to light on this chap, I wasn't enthralled nor overrawed. Neither was I resentful. I took it in stride. My take was he would have missed out one of the best times in life. Not the training or the screaming or swearing of the instructors, but the camaderie and friendship that was made and learning something worthwhile.

Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for the country. - A famous saying.
Would you fight for protect your nation?
Is it about nationalism or patriotism?
Or much more?

Test of Time

I take this opportunity
to say rest...
Peacefully...
to a great and dear friend.

While time would pass our frienship will not stand the test of time.

Muema.

In any given Sunday...
The hyms would play.

In any given day
The sun would shine
The soul would stay
Run the fields and time

of simplicity
of sanity

of Reason.

In any given day,
The hyms would play

For the one
That believed
The sun is always shinin

And in hiding,
We bask in its warmth

In any Given day
The sun will always shine
And the hyms would play
O joyful day.

Untitled/All Apologies

All apologies;
For what I've and I've not...


"Untitled"
Performed by Simple Plan
Lyrics by Simple Plan
Lyrics from: azlyrics.com

I open my eyes
I try to see but I’m blinded by the white light
I can’t remember how
I can’t remember why
I’m lying here tonight

And I can’t stand the pain
And I can’t make it go away
No I can’t stand the pain

How could this happen to me
I made my mistakes
I’ve got no where to run
The night goes on
As I’m fading away
I’m sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me

Everybody’s screaming
I try to make a sound but no one hears me
I’m slipping off the edge
I’m hanging by a thread
I wanna start this over again
So I try to hold onto a time when nothing mattered

And I can’t explain what happened
And I can’t erase the things that I’ve done
No I can’t

How could this happen to me
I made my mistakes
I’ve got no where to run
The night goes on
As I’m fading away
I’m sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me

I made my mistakes
I’ve got no where to run
The night goes on
As I’m fading away
I’m sick of this life
I just wanna scream
How could this happen to me

XII

- Search any place...
You won't find thirteen
On my face -

Muahahaha

Excuse me...Any Change?

- Nothing is constant
Except...
Change -

Take it a day at a time.
Embrace change
Come what may.

Resolute New Year '06

First and foremost I would like to wish everyone a happy new year.

It is certainly a time to rejoice and it is evident with the countless number of parties around the island; to countdown the end of the year's last and welcome the new year. The masses certainly spared none for the coming of the new year.

The new year's a fuss... a big fuss I guess... judging from the anticipation and celebrations.

What I do not understand is the big fuss.
It's just another year - just like your birthday; you get a little older.
Is it a big fuss or a great deal to be a little (1 year to be exact) older?
- just like your birthday

Is it a big fuss?
Is it a big thang?

Not for me...
Not anymore at least.

I guess I've grown out of all this.
Or maybe there isn't much to celebrate about.

Don't get me wrong...
Not that I have anything against partying
or getting dissed
or whatever.
By all means ... dudes

Just not for me... anymore.

I look forward to the new year.
I I contemplate on today.
(So) I don't live the past...

What could have been done better? For next year
What can i bring? For the next year.

Forward planning...
but take it a day at a time.

Happy new 2006 people.

Happy Thoughts

How I envy happy people.

Happy thoughts as they say...
Think,
happy thoughts

Think,
positive

How do these people do it;
Even in the darkest hour
Even in the toughest of time -
to stay positive and happy.

I was a long time sad a long time before.
My signs show the extremes...
Happy - very happy
Sad- very sad

Worst of all i can't hide how or what i felt.

I was a pessimist (and at times i still believe i am)
It is written in the stars -
not that i am a firm believer of them.

Worst of all i can't hide how or what i felt.

So i tried to make people happy instead.
Conceal my thoughts
Kept it all inside.

It felt good.
I worked fine
So i thought.
For awhile that is...

Beyond the laughs and smiles
All those times i made someone smile
I still felt- the anger,
the emptiness,
the sadness
all coming back.

Worse;
most times i felt sick but i don't know why.
Why!

All the times that I had made a difference in others,
All the times I was made others laugh and smile

All the times I smiled
All the times I laughed

I still felt sick.

The truth i was miserable,
Empty
Sad
Angry

Yet i don't know why
Yet I don't know what
I was miserable about.

I thought that if I had made others happy
Smile,
Laugh...

I'll make it all go away...
And i'll be happy.

But NO!

Times when I was alone
Times when I was tired and weary

All the
Emptiness
Sadness
Anger

comes creeping through my head.

I am a CLOwn.
I hated myself and became more miserable.

I told myself I should take care of myself
and
Feel that ounce of hapiness in myself, feel gd about myself
Then others will be too;
For then I will spread unpretentious joy around.

Moderation my friends.
Feel happy and good about yourself
And truly be happy
For your sake and others

In Loving Memory. [II]

Music,Melody & Lyrics by Mark Tremonti
Perfomed by Alterbridge
Album: One day Remains

Thanks for all you've done
I've missed you for so long
I can't believe you're gone and...
You still live in me
I feel you in the wind
You guide me constantly.

I never knew what it was to be alone...no
'Cause you were always there for me
You were always home waiting
But now I come home and I miss your face so

Smiling down on me
I close my eyes to see

And I know
You're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free

I sing it while
I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

I carry the things that remind me of you
In loving memory of the one that was so true

You were as kind as you could be
And even though you're gone
You still mean the world to me

I never knew what it was to be alone...no
'Cause you were always there for me
You were always home waiting
But now I come home and it's not the same no

It feels empty and alone
I just can't believe you're gone

And I know
You're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free

I sing it while
I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

I'm glad
We set you free from sorrowbut
I'll still love you more tomorrow
and you'll be here
with me still

All you did you did with feeling
And you always found a meaning
And you always will
And you always will

And I know
You're a part of me
And it's your song that sets me free

I sing it while
I feel I can't hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

*This song is dedicated to those who've come and gone...

Picture courtesy of www.excelpictureframes.com

In Loving Memory

Hello there.
This next one by me is nothing rancid or morbid.

Juz a thought that has brought me thinking...

Dunno wat triggered it.
Mayb its the sudden glimpse of the future...
Maybe it's karma ...or..
Or maybe juz the fear of the thought that ...


That...
Somehow or rather...
Sooner or later;
The person we love (or hate) will...

Will pass us by... gone with the seasons...
Remembered by 'Our Beloved'

That too, soon will be consumed by time and forgotten.

What is it about death...
That fasinates us;
That brings the hours down to the minute...
to the seconds...
to a standstill...

Indulged in ourselves asking questions after questions
Questions that most of the time,
Don't have the answers,
Yet we persist...

One that has often evade us is - not about ourselves -
But to the departed.

Have we said enough during their lifetime?
Or for the times during their lifetimes,
We have said little or none;
We have said little or none that made difference - even once in their lifetime

Till the time comes for us to regret not saying those words that no matter how brief or simple
Made some difference in that lifetime of theirs.

What is fearful is not death itself -
But dying, alone (pardon me for the methaphor or pun)

The thought of dying, alone
Unsure if ever anyone have...
Ever -
Valued you;
Cherished you;
Had anything worthwhile

. . . During the long lifetime you have left
Before "In Memorandum"

To the living -
Have you said
I love you
Thank you
I miss you

Simple 3 words that could have made a difference of a lifetime.
Have you said enough?
For the departed to take of what's left?

Time waits for no one
While time heals all wounds...

Remember,
We, the departed have none left for the taking

But for the living,
Don't leave it till the time has come and gone
For the departed;
For us to regret we've said little or none.

- In loving Memory of -
My dearest grandmother

Wasted Time

Weary...
Suddenly I felt cumbersome,
Sick and Tired.

Been feeling like this for awhile.
Today's no better.

It's a mistake to come to work today.
Think of them young minds.
Think of them I say.
My responsibility?
I came and i saw them waste time away.
Despite all interventions.

To try and get them to learn
As much as i want to learn from them.

Sick was what i became.

It's time to let go...

Myself...