Nostalgia...

.... Might not be the write word for me to use. Considering I didn't live in the 70s or 80s. Why that time frame you ask? Well, yesterday, I was helping out my aunt to clean up her room. Turns out it was a treasure trove of ancient stuffs from that time frame. It was like opening a treasure chest everytime! Well... It was more like boxes but still...

Some stuffs that I found:

You might me asking, "Dood! Floppy disk were soooo 90s!". Well ladies and gentlemen, look at the name. Its called "mini-floppy disk". It's an interesting name no? How could there be floppy disk smaller than those we were using in the 90s?

Ehh look at it. Looks like a normal floppy disk to you right? RIGHT?!?! Except that its missing that metal thingy in the middle that spins around... Looks perfectly normal!! Well... Be amazed as I will compare it to the size... of a hand...!

TADA!!! ITS AS BIG AS A HAND YOU BRAVOS!!! THOSE YOU WERE USING IN THE 90s WEREN'T EVEN AS BIG AS YOUR PALM!!!!! Holy cwaaaaap!!! Just look at it!! The size!! Doubt it can contain several megabytes of data... Hell! Megabytes seems to be an over-statement. AND THIS IS JUST A MINI-FLOPPY DISK!! Imagine the standard floppy disk!! Meet my cousins with my other aunt and uncle, my uncle was like "Oh we needed a trolley to carry the big one (standard sized)." I dunno... Felt like he could be joking. But seeing the size of this baby, might even be true!

Okay I know I know... What's so special about a freaking match box? Consider this. Its been housed in a box that hasn't been open for ages... AND IT STILL FREAKING WORKS!! Though it burns for at most about 2 seconds while giving off insane smoke... And what's left is what my bro would had call it, residue. But what I called, "The firework aftermath." Whuuut? WHAAAAT?! That doesn't make any sense!!! The hell that means Dan?! Well.. Funny you should ask...

It was a loooong time ago. Coz of some construction nearby, I got a whiff of a burning smell from some guy soldering stuffs. So I was like trying to explain the smell to my bro. And the closest thing were those sparkles/fireworks. Nothing thinking it through, I just went ahead and said, "Eh!! You smell that?? Kinda reminds me of... of... The firework aftermath!" Confidently too, might I add. And my bro was like "Dood... Its residue from the burning... The foxtrot is firework aftermath!?!?" Then he started laughing at me... Bugger...

Loook!! Look at the similarities!! What?! What?!?! THE MATCHBOX IS MADE FROM WOOD BRAVOS!!! FREAKING WOOD!!! NOT them paper ones we see nowadays... BUT REAL FREAKING WOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOO!!!

A lil something from my heritage~~ Yeap. I'm part Javanese. Got a problem with that?! Look at it!! Its an intricate design indeed!! Ahh the random stuffs we found xD

Do you recognize this? If you don't, either shame on you or you're just too young, damn whippersnappers!! They're still brand new!!! LOL

Last and the most awesomest find evaaarrr!!

RANDOM BLACK SUITCASE!!! Its big, its heavy... And oh so suspicious... So I opened it, felt like a bomb technician trying to defuse a bomb... And then... It happened...

I saw what was inside.

ITS A TYPEWRITER!! Like... THE TYPEWRITER!!

Like... *Tap tap tap tap...CHINK!! Tap tap tap tap*

Not only I got to mess with it, I managed to figure out how to use the damned thing!! Ahh... I'm such a genius!! Muahahaha!!! I'm guessing my Technical Skills levels were high enough I guess :x

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Looking at all these old stuffs, made me realize how much our world has grown. Now we can easily edit, type, delete words easily coz its now all digital. Imagine you made an error when using the type writer... Bless you haha. Now we use thumbdrives which can contain more than 16gbs worth of information when in the past, something many times larger could only contain many times less memory.

Which is fascinating! What is small can contain so much while the big ones can hold in so little....

Stupid thing to happen yesterday:
I choked on a straw. Yes. That's right. On a straw. How? I was trying to speed drink a Pure Double Chocolate ice blend coz I was rushing... Apparently I did it too hard and half of it when into my throat... Brr.. Well at least I didn't swallow it~ Oh and apparently, same thing happened to Han. Haha!! Universe no likey us bro xD Awwh... That sucks when I think about it.... :/

Heh!! Ciaossu folks~~!!!

All the stupid things...

... that one does either during boredom/ trying to simplify a job. Like really! There I was, told to key in some stuffs from an A3 piece of paper. So, being the lazy ass I was, tried to prop it up using things like staplers (The stapler itself, not the bullets.), cans with random stationary inside, boxes filled with paper clips as weight and weird metal strips that I planned to wrap the paper around as a stand. Wait... Lemme get a pic here...

It took me a good 10-20 mins to set it up so nicely like so, just so that I can type and refer without breaking my neck too much. Then a problem came up. Its when a call comes in. I try to pick up the phone in a way to not disturb my masterpiece, but them cords always knocking it down.. So I tried to move them to the side. 2nd problem, I had to readjust all the parts so that the paper can stand again... Took me longer for some unknown reason..

Seeing me being every weird and stuff, my co-worker came up and said, "Dude, you could just pin on the board in front..." Yes, ladies and gentlemen. That wall with all the papers on it, is actually a notice board. Look at what happens when I do as my co-worker suggested.

Mother of god!! Its better!! I can look AND type at the same time!! OH... MY.. GOD!! I wasted 1hour just to keep setting up the paper when I can just pin in up on the bloody board. I felt damned stupid frankly speaking. "The hell? I tried to be make things easier for lazy me and ended up a much simpler solution right infront of my face...literally."

Yes! Stupidity comes in all forms!! And this is one of it!! I'm sure that many of you faced such... moments before. Look at things this way, what that taught us is that, there is always...ALWAYS a simpler way to do things. Hahaha!! Astryte over and out!

It starts with one thing...

I don't know why but this ain't a Linkin Park song,fyi! Naaah!! What I'm talking is about all the little things in life we talk for granted. It always the little things that become awesome when you piece 'em together.

Like wearing your favorite piece of clothing. Like listening to your favorite song on repeat. Or when its the weather you just love. We don't see anything special with them, individually. But, what if you put all three together? Its... Just... Awesome. Really. Enough said.

Okay. So. There I was. After work. Walking from my workplace,wearing my fedora hat. Listening to my fav song, on repeat all the way home, mind you. As I walked down the slope to the road ahead, the wind suddenly picked up. My key strap was flowing like a cape in the wind. Leaves circled and blew past me. As I walked down the slope. Felt like I was in a movie. And what scene doesn't have an awesome BGM? And this was the song I was listening to.

EXEC_PAJA/.#Misya extracting. from the game series Ar Tonelico (sang by Akiko Shikata)

Yes. I felt awesome. Like I was going down into the depths of darkness to fight the final boss or something.

It was more awesome that the falling leaves kept swirling about me till I reach the bus stop. It was like I that was my power. That was my shield. That I was unstoppable. (All hail fantasy!!).

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Two stops away. I was on the train back home. It started raining. This time, another song was on repeat.

EXEC_CHRONICLE_KEY/. from Ar Tonelico (sang by Akiko Shikata)

As the train got closer and closer to my stop, the rain became heavier and heavier. It was as though the sky was crying. Walking under the rain. Each drop beating down on me. The drops run down my cheeks like tears. But I still walked on. Ignoring the weight of my clothes getting heavier. Ignoring the coldness biting into me. Just to reach home. Into the warm embrace of my bed...
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See? Its simple to make even the simplest of things awesome if you put 'em together with storytelling!! Now go out there, make an ordinary story extra-ordinary!! Its fun and you have nothing to lose! You'd learn to gain a new appreciation to all the little things that you used to ignore! Till then, Astryte out!

I in my sadness, I reach out to your direction.
But your eyes weren't even looking at me.
This sadness, this pain from the rejection.
Oh my love, why don't you gaze at me?

One-sided love

I see myself in your eyes, as if I am not drowning in my sadness

As if they'll disappear, I'll see your eyes from afar

My heart pounds restlessly within my painful chest

I breathe deeply, and I can't laugh

As if I had been imprisoned by you, as if I had been rejected by you

My heart grows frightened, and don't tell me why, no matter what

Call my name, as if I am not drowning in my sadness

I made no mistake, despite where I was

No one grieves, and I continue to search for kindness

I want to know your strengths and your weaknesses

My fingers seem to reach you, but my feelings cannot reach you

I'm afraid of destroying tomorrow, but I don't want to surrender, my chest aches

I thought that every I wish I made will be granted

But selfish time ended it

I had seen how that loneliness will stretch

It's like walking into a little light

My fingers seem to reach you, but my feelings cannot reach you

I'm afraid of losing you, but I don't want to surrender, no matter what 

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This song is really one of my favorites! A story about wanting to love but fearing rejection (Damn... Sounds like me :/ ). Tragedy, sadness, rejection, love all rolled into one song. I think this song reflects me very strongly when I think about it.

The need to find love, but fearing that I'll be rejected. Fearing that what me and the other party had will just crumble. I don't like that part of me. For those of you who know that I'm impulsive, know that is because I do not fear. But when I stop and thinking about for quite sometime, it is because I fear. Considering whether is it truly worth it to find the one I love? How long can I make it last? If it has to end, can I handle it? I see people around telling me I won't understand the pain till I experienced it. But then I looked at those who are "very experienced". Despite being in loads of relationships, when they break up, that guy goes and emo for a loooong time. So I'm like "Huh... Experience so as hell doesn't make it feel any less painful."

Wanting to reach out. Wanting to take a step forward. Fearing that I'll fall... Sigh......

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Well on the bright note, I'm seriously going to learn to play a stringed instrument!! Either a violin or a guitar! Its now it been price vs dreams. Violin is gonna be very expensive but its been my life's dream to learn how to play it. While the guitar is a cheaper alternative but I dunno... I feel like I'm so "malay" if I learn it (NO OFFENSE TO MALAY GUITARISTS OUT THERE!!). Gaaaaaahh!!! New objective!! Find the total price for both instrument with graded lessons and make a decision! I have a few more months before I truly commit myself!! And no... An ukulele is off the list. Kinda too small for my taste :x

Change

Change... So fearful but yet, so necessary.

I wish to change... no. I want to change. But... I'm scared of changing.

Right now, there's this heaviness in my heart whenever I think about how can I change.

How is it that I can change?

Changing the level of my maturity?

Making myself more or less unique?

Should I live life spontaneously or think things through?

How can I achieve change?

Talking to Han made me realize:

1)Change is slow. It cannot be rushed.

2)You don't change one thing. You must change many things before you change on the whole.

Han kept telling me I need to get out of my comfort zone. Now the question, just how big is my comfort zone? There's so many questions I have about... me. Why? Because, I usually don't sit down and reflect about myself. I'm the type that doesn't blame myself but others, for which I apologize if I hurt anyone due to that part of me.

Really now. If I try to think about things, I get all depressed about it. Especially at night. No idea why. Wish I could reach a time where I don't have to get all emotional/depressed just because its night. Am I really that scared to change?

I feel like I'm tied down by too many things. That I'm afraid of break even one of these chains. I'm too scared that if I break them, I can't fix them back. I know what if I don't try, I won't know. Its just that these chains subconsciously affect the decisions I make just so I still stay within their cold, hard reach.

What I think is missing in my life. Frankly speaking, someone I can be in love with. After being single for so long, I'm kind of craving for what it is like to be in a relationship. I might sound childish or stupid, but I'm the type to try out something I haven't had experience in. As what I'd like to say "I have never felt was is means to love or to hate. I have yet to reach both ends of the spectrum." I could wait longer. In fact, I do know of some people who are older than me being single all the way. Call me desperate, which technically I am, but I don't go around whining about being single.

In fact, I'm glad that I have friends I can talk to about these kinds of things. Especially those who are in relationships themselves. But whenever I hear stories on how weird/scary BGR can be, I'm thankful that I'm not in one. Though, there will be this part nagging at me. I like to visualize what I'd do if I'm in those situations, but like I said, they are just visualizations. So I always want to know, what would I do if I was in that position? My need to know and my need to experience plaguing my thoughts every night. Its worse that I don't have anyone I can talk to about, another reason I wish I had that special person...

But no matter, I still have time. Like what Han said, I should go out and socialize more. Though I kinda feel like I'm socializing enough but, one can't be too careful. I must remind myself that I can't just wait for the other party to put in effort to get to know me while I wait on a silver platter. I should remind myself that even when I've put in effort, it all depends whether I have put in enough effort or whether the other party chooses to accept my effort or not.

I guess I should go back and become my random,never-think-about-things self. At least for now. At least till the time is right... At least after I learn to play a stringed instrument~~

RANT TIME - Kony 2012

I must admit. The Kony 2012 vid has to be like,the most successful viral campaign ever. In a few days, couple million views. Reminds me how fast something can spread on teh internetz. Don't get me wrong for a believer,but, I actually find the entire thing too damn suspicious. Why? Okay lemme explain.

1) If I remember correctly, Kony is old news. Like VERY old news. Like from when I'm a kid. Meaning? The vid isn't exactly up to date. Meaning? Well... Lets say that Kony is looooong gone from Uganda. Even at his new hidey-hole, no one seen him for ages!

Which brings me to point 2), "Eyy!! Lookit!! I got peektures and veedeos. IN HD BEEEAAATCCHH!! Now anyone can find him!!" ...The hell? Let's analyze this.. Random photog so happens to be able to obtain interviews of a warlord. One thing, why is the photog alive there and back? Shouldn't he be shot like... On site? Think about it! Random unknown person walk around with a big black thingy on his shoulder. If I had a gun,I'd shoot first questions later..
Secondly, if he's not dead, means two things. 1, Kony granted them the interview. 2, they have contacts in Kony's circle or the K man himself. Now,assuming at that point in time, he was in combat with the ugandan army, I doubt he'd want to give his location away. Unless the K man is Rambo's student or something, I doubt it was 1. Now, if it was 2, wouldn't that mean the photog knows the K circle or the K man personally? Either way, it means that they'd have to be from the same circle in the past! Suspicious reporter alert!! Now I know there could be other reasons on how such info was available public, feel free to state what you think (no dissing! Respect man!)

3) Lemme ask ya. When was the last time you heard any news about fighting in Uganda on any news media around ya,other than the vid? Hmm let's see... NEVER. Omg! That's true! Si what does it mean oh awesome Astryte?? Chillax kiddies, what it means is that 1. Situation is clear. Heck! The K man might not even be alive! Or 2. Situation suppressed. Ugandan military might already know where he is and prolly already caught him or something. Personally, I'd prefer if it was 2. that happened. Why? Why you'd want him alive oh merciful Astryte? Isn't he better of dead? Now now kids.. Good question which I'd explain later. Hold on to those hats for now,yeah?

4) Personally speaking, I find that the video lack much solid facts. Whatever being said in the video just seems to be directed at the human emotions. What is more emotional? A grown man saying he will stop the bad guy or an innocent young kid saying the same thing? Either way, both elements are present in this video, which might subconsciously make viewers feel like they have to do something. The emotional bandwagon.

A point on why the video isn't very sincere. Its telling you to spam you fav celebs to support the Invisible Children Charity (Imma gonna call it ICC). Look here oh mighty fighters of justice! One does not simply force others into your beliefs. If you see your celeb liking the ICC page, now don't think he/she is actually helping, most probably its just to get y'all off their backs so that they can finally read their e-mails that actually matters. The celebrity bandwagon.

5) Contradictory aims. The purpose of the charity is to save the children (assuming that LRA is true.) But how are they gonna do that? By sending in US soldiers to help train and fight with the Ugandan army against the LRA. Sounds noble? But remember the bulk of the LRA, children. So you are telling me you are going to fight with the very people you are trying to save? Reaaaaally noble and well-thought out~~
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Now if I remember correctly, ICC wants y'all people from all over the world to run around... At night... Inna group... Pasting stickers. Uhh yeah? I've looked at their annual reports and I must say. They are quite rich! The reason they are so rich is to bail you people who got caught in Operation:Night graffiti of theirs... NOT!!! I dares ya. Running around at night, pasting stickers and posters all over the damn place with police patrolling all over. Those who never got caught, tell me ya name yeah? Eventually the police will catch you~~ :D

Well that's it... The rant for today. Cheerios~~!!

Oh yeah!! Why is it I prefer Kony alive than dead? Coz, if he is dead, there will always be people who are gonna step up in fill that gap. Him alive means they can't step up as their leader is still alive albeit captured in a cell~ sides, him alive = more info!!!

Okay!! Astryte signing off!!

RANT TIME!!! - Its SBS not SMRT!!

Ayy yoo!! Been long time and finally!! Astryte's back!!! Heh heh.... Why did I open my blog again? Well... I needed a place to rant without spamming people, post my incomplete works for "record" purposes and basically as a journal for all the random stuff that happened. Which shall be the first point.

Stupid stuff #1:

Got on a bus, EZ-Link no moneh. So I wanted to pay coins. Didn't have $1. So I asked around for $2 change. An aunty gave me... $2 worth of coins. Guess what I did? I took out a 20c and replaced it with a 10c and dumped the whole lot into the coin box. Yeap. All $1.90 worth of coins. All of it. In the coin box. And I walked away like nothing was wrong... Ah well... At least that $1.90 is going to help the bus company!!!! ........... Maybe.....

Rant #1:

Okay so the North-East Line (NEL) broke down. And here, everyone is complaining. First thing in my head? What the foxtrot is wrong with these people. Nope, I wasn't talking about the train staff. I was talking about them Singaporeans. Always... ALWAYS generalizing things. Train breaks down, OMG SMRT SUCKS!! NEED DECREASE FARE!! Hello? NEL is under SBS fyi if you can't read properly.

Look at things this way aye? During Dec, breakdown, there was no shuttle services, no announcement, people stuck in trains and no one knew what the problem was. In THIS incident, there WERE shuttle services, there WERE announcements at the stations, NO ONE was stuck in the trains and by Mjolnir... THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS!!! WIRING ISSUES!! FYI, sometime ago, when NEL first broke down, it was due to some wiring breaking apart or something. Today, they found out that, AFTER fixing the broken wire, there were wire insulation problems. WIRE INSULATION!!!

Now, you might be thinking, what? Just wrap it with scotch/duct tape or something!! Yeah right. Like how SMRT used cable ties? No way. To fix insulation, they have to take out the entire length of the damaged wire and replace with an new one. Now, imagine the the wire runs continuously in between stations, that's a hell load of wires to take out and replace. And this is just the easy but tiring way. They could also just patch up the insulating but guess what? Patches are meant to be TEMPORARY. Like how you break your specs, you tape 'em? Yeah... TEMPORARY. Until you get a new pair or get it fixed PROPERLY. Tell you what. Let me find a wire, remove part of the insulation and ask you to fix that and making sure other users will be SAFE from the wires.

They don't fix it well, wire comes into contact with a random piece of metal or another wire, short-circuits and whoops~~ People stuck in them tunnels. So, unless you are an engineer or are mechanically inclined, DO NOT speak of which you know naught of. Especially when you aren't planning to think it through. >.>

Another problem. Singaporeans not being appreciative about what they get. Hell!! Singaporeans are hardly appreciative >.> (I'm talking about typical SGreans fyi. I know there are you folks who appreciate the efforts of others :D ) SBS gave you shuttle service every 5-10 MINUTES in between stations and you AREN'T HAPPY?!?! Hell!! Lady look! Its FASTER than your bloody typical bus which appears after 10-40 mins of waiting!!

"I feel like taking a cab after seeing so many people. But who's gonna pay me the cab fare? It's quite messy because people were boarding from both doors. I already told my colleagues I'll be late. My boss doesn't like us to be late, but no choice." Of course it's messy ya fool!! How many people depend on the NEL everyday?!?! YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY USER SO GET IT STRAIGHT! God!! The nerves of some people!!

"I only heard about the breakdown at my train station, so no time to make alternative plans. The buses are coming very frequently and there are enough staff to give directions, but it is still very troublesome. "

OF COURSE YOU HEARD IT AT THE MRT STATION YOU FOOL!! Where else can you hear about it? Your freaking ass? AND OF COURSE YOU NO TIME FOR ALTERNATIVE PLANS!! Which part of "UNEXPECTED breakdown" you don't understand huh?! God!! Give this guy a Nobel prize for stupidity, please!!

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Here's some theories that I've heard/thought about why MRT's breaking down alot lately.

1) The entire track system is old (You don't "You don't say" me, Mister!!)
2) The new trains used are only COMPATIBLE with the old tracks

3)Weight. (The newer trains are apparently heavier + packed trains due to rush hour)

1) Okay. Say it. Tell me that they should replace the old system with a new one. Excuse me, hello? Have you taken a good look at the MRT map? Tell me how you are going to replace the ENTIRE system ALL OVER Singapore WITHOUT affecting commuters eh? TELL ME, I DARE YOU!!

2) Its like saying, "Oh I'm L size but... I guess I can wear M". You'd fit, but it will 1) Look stupid and 2) Its not exactly super comfortable. Same thing here. The newer trains are designed to run on the old tracks, but NOT running as efficiently as they should. Because its NOT 100% compatible, expect damages/wear and tear to occur more frequently.

3)More weight = more stress on the train which will be transferred onto the tracks meaning more wear and tear. Must I explain more?
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Sigh... Sometimes I wish people use their brains a lot before making statements. Which explains why I kinda have a complex against the "Uneducated masses" but don't blame me. I'm sure we all know some fool that didn't think about what they wanted to say before speaking. Ah!! Feel much better now~~ Okay!! Time to go~~ Astryte signing off!!!