Sunday, November 30, 2003
Lesser-known Fact #7 He had worked as a truck driver while living in Denmark.
Yet another act of atrocity. Japanese diplomats and the Spanish convoy the victims this time. I could accept deaths as an inevitable outcome in the rocky situation of a war-torn country. But, is the humiliation of bodies a necessary act? News of jubilant regime-supporters kicking at bodies of coalition casualty, throwing rocks at dying military personnel, severing their body parts are not uncommon as the Iraqi problem failed to dissolve into peace and democracy after liberation. Blame it all on illiteracy and lack of education.. but, can we? We are supposed to be civilized individuals, this basic building block of humanity is supposed to be inherent, with or without education. There is absolutely no reason for uncivilized incidents to be the result of the lack of academic development, the primary premise being uneducated people are not any more inhumane than anyone else.
Such a brutal act is punishable by death in most countries and yet people get away scot-free in Iraq because of their under-developed legal/policing system and more so, because the American military finds it beyond their power to restrain such random, spur-of-the-moment (maybe not, but civilized logic reads that organized violence can only be pinned down in the arrest of the masterminds behind, not in the capture of the manipulated puppet crowds who carried out the act) public expressions of anger. Anger directed at the coalition forces whom the Iraqis perceive had treaded upon their sovereignty, forced their leader to become a fugitive. Such is the anger that stems from idolistic fawning over Saddam fueled by Fear and propaganda during his rule.
Diplomacy and the whole 'civilized' talk is all about systematically managing displeasure and anger. Reason out of bad situations, think logically, make people understand win-win situations rather than start a babaric rampage of publicly-displayed anger that leads only to even more irrational angry bursts. What makes it difficult for Iraqis to realize this is that the realization must stem from oneself. Americans in military drab can't make them, neither can promises of humanitarian and reconstruction aid help. The self-realization must come like how Saddam had made them believe he was leading them on the road to greater Baghdad glory. They must be as strongly-convicted of their opinions as in their anti-American sentiments now. Only with that kind of self-realization will Iraq progress towards peace, rebuilding, societal and economic stability.
Likewise, perhaps we too are blinded by propanganda of the Western media - their portrayal of the Iraqi regime, the magnified crisis of the nuclear weapons, Saddam's supposedly-tyrannical rule, the presumed benefits of Iraqi liberalization and democracy. It is all about perceptions, or rather the manipulation of. Whichever side convinces, wins.
Such a brutal act is punishable by death in most countries and yet people get away scot-free in Iraq because of their under-developed legal/policing system and more so, because the American military finds it beyond their power to restrain such random, spur-of-the-moment (maybe not, but civilized logic reads that organized violence can only be pinned down in the arrest of the masterminds behind, not in the capture of the manipulated puppet crowds who carried out the act) public expressions of anger. Anger directed at the coalition forces whom the Iraqis perceive had treaded upon their sovereignty, forced their leader to become a fugitive. Such is the anger that stems from idolistic fawning over Saddam fueled by Fear and propaganda during his rule.
Diplomacy and the whole 'civilized' talk is all about systematically managing displeasure and anger. Reason out of bad situations, think logically, make people understand win-win situations rather than start a babaric rampage of publicly-displayed anger that leads only to even more irrational angry bursts. What makes it difficult for Iraqis to realize this is that the realization must stem from oneself. Americans in military drab can't make them, neither can promises of humanitarian and reconstruction aid help. The self-realization must come like how Saddam had made them believe he was leading them on the road to greater Baghdad glory. They must be as strongly-convicted of their opinions as in their anti-American sentiments now. Only with that kind of self-realization will Iraq progress towards peace, rebuilding, societal and economic stability.
Likewise, perhaps we too are blinded by propanganda of the Western media - their portrayal of the Iraqi regime, the magnified crisis of the nuclear weapons, Saddam's supposedly-tyrannical rule, the presumed benefits of Iraqi liberalization and democracy. It is all about perceptions, or rather the manipulation of. Whichever side convinces, wins.
Saturday, November 29, 2003
Lesser-known Fact #6 He was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine.
Friday, November 28, 2003
The worst is over. Tomorrow is the final fight. I will give my bestest shot, with runny nose and all, Anduril in hand. The End is near. The lure of freedom is giving me the tingles, beckoning me like the One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. I am but a victim of this darn education system.
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
Major educational reforms needed. I am positive about this. We can't let this happen to our future generations and that is why we need to do something now. Break the cycle, I'm sure it's possible.
Lesser-known Fact #5 "I don't want to waste my life on receptions and shallowness and those film-awards that take place every weekend and in many ways corrupt the whole industry. There's enough that matters in life - my son, nature, art, travels - and that's what I want to spend my time on."
Thursday, November 27, 2003
I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country: he is a Bird of bad moral character: like those among Men who live by Sharping and Robbing, he is generally poor and very often lousy. The Turkey is a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original native of North America. – Benjamin Franklin
Happy Thanksgiving, guys!
Happy Thanksgiving, guys!
Lesser-known Fact #4 An accomplished writer-poet-painter-photographer, his most recent books include "Recent Forgeries" and "Signlanguage".
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Lesser-known Fact #3 He is 45 years old this year, divorced and has a son named Henry.
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Something is so wrong with Blogger, I'm not sure if anyone can access my latest entries even. Could it .. be a foreshadow to the impending darkness soon to bind us all?
Lesser-known Fact #2 "He's a complete Renaissance man. He can do it all, and very well." says Elijah Wood.
Monday, November 24, 2003
Lesser-known Fact #1 He doesn't just speak Elvish and English, he can speak Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, French and Italian as well.
Iraq is all hell broke loose. What you are about to read chillingly echos the 1993 Mogadishu incident. The only difference being, U.S. can't pull out of the sticky situation as easily this time. Right from the start, U.S. is fighting a losing war - a war on Iraqi terms that only critics can triumph over. She knows it and she can't do anything about it, even as she valiantly fights it.
From Foxnews,
MOSUL, Iraq — Iraqi teenagers pulled two bloodied U.S. soldiers from a wrecked vehicle and pummeled them with concrete blocks Sunday, witnesses said, describing the killings as a burst of savagery in a city once safe for Americans. Witnesses to the Mosul attack said gunmen shot two soldiers driving through the city center, sending their vehicle crashing into a wall. The 101st Airborne Division said the soldiers were driving to another garrison. About a dozen swarming teenagers pulled the soldiers out of the wreckage and beat them with concrete blocks, the witnesses said. "They lifted a block and hit them with it on the face," said Younis Mahmoud, 19. It was unknown whether the soldiers were alive or dead when pulled from the wreckage. Initial reports said the soldiers' throats were cut. But another witness, teenager Bahaa Jassim, said the wounds appeared to have come from bullets. "One of the soldiers was shot under the chin and the bullet came out of his head. I saw the hole in his helmet. The other was shot in the throat," Jassim said. Some people looted the vehicle of weapons, CDs and a backpack, Jassim said. "They remained there for over an hour without the Americans knowing anything about it," he said. "I ... went and told other troops." Television footage showed the soldiers' bodies splayed on the ground as U.S. troops secured the area. One victim's foot appeared to have been severed.
From Foxnews,
MOSUL, Iraq — Iraqi teenagers pulled two bloodied U.S. soldiers from a wrecked vehicle and pummeled them with concrete blocks Sunday, witnesses said, describing the killings as a burst of savagery in a city once safe for Americans. Witnesses to the Mosul attack said gunmen shot two soldiers driving through the city center, sending their vehicle crashing into a wall. The 101st Airborne Division said the soldiers were driving to another garrison. About a dozen swarming teenagers pulled the soldiers out of the wreckage and beat them with concrete blocks, the witnesses said. "They lifted a block and hit them with it on the face," said Younis Mahmoud, 19. It was unknown whether the soldiers were alive or dead when pulled from the wreckage. Initial reports said the soldiers' throats were cut. But another witness, teenager Bahaa Jassim, said the wounds appeared to have come from bullets. "One of the soldiers was shot under the chin and the bullet came out of his head. I saw the hole in his helmet. The other was shot in the throat," Jassim said. Some people looted the vehicle of weapons, CDs and a backpack, Jassim said. "They remained there for over an hour without the Americans knowing anything about it," he said. "I ... went and told other troops." Television footage showed the soldiers' bodies splayed on the ground as U.S. troops secured the area. One victim's foot appeared to have been severed.
Sunday, November 23, 2003
The aimless entries accumulate by the day. Rivers came back to me again, it's been some time since the last.
I love the way the photographer captured the gaze in her eyes. Sorrow and hurt all spelt out yet I see a tinge of disbelief. This picture needs no raw anger-shock-grief-violence yet emotions flood it. I could look at it and feel so strongly towards it. That feeling, I can't comprehend or describe, it makes me feel so tight in the chest, I almost can't breathe.
Saturday, November 22, 2003
There are times when you wish you are somewhere else instead of where you are in now.. The time is now. For me, there are two seasons when such thoughts bloom - mid April and late Nov. Coincidentally it's nearing the latter now. I wouldn't want to be anybody else because the other person who would be me wouldn't feel about things the way I do. And I don't want that. It's just the same plain ol me with the backdrop strategically switched. Ten random situations I rather be in (no order of preference): 1. typing away in a Vietnamese cybercafe 2. having dinner with Viggo, lots of pregnant pauses 3. sipping juice on a Mauritian beach 4. watching Goodbye, Mr. Lenin 5. gazing in awe at the Mingun Pagoda 6. wandering the streets of NY with only US$50 to spare 7. running a marathon, at the 4th km mark 8. preparing dinner for husband dear in our apartment 9. reading a book on Chin Peng and Lai Teck 10. queuing to have my film developed in a dingy shop (It's amazing what the mind can cook up as it remains trapped in this physical self, condemned to books.)
Friday, November 21, 2003
The Return of The King
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Chevelle is a pleasure to listen. Wonder what's next.
Le Papillon, Igby Goes Down, Kill Bill Vol. One - These are some of the movies I want to watch when I'm supposed to be revising for the exams. Distracted thoughts always hit me at this time of the year. New idiosyncratic entries will be bound to appear.
Monday, November 17, 2003
I am my own post-emo gig,
a rocking starlet on centerstage
stories belted out in songs of angst
of pain of depressed fate.
the desolate cities of my so-called life
crumble in each indie beat
this bright red strap holds more than memories
fingers flash by, electrified -
can those catchy guitar riffs echo my thoughts?
i play for me not for them.
when the crowds never stop by long enough
my faithful audience is myself.
a rocking starlet on centerstage
stories belted out in songs of angst
of pain of depressed fate.
the desolate cities of my so-called life
crumble in each indie beat
this bright red strap holds more than memories
fingers flash by, electrified -
can those catchy guitar riffs echo my thoughts?
i play for me not for them.
when the crowds never stop by long enough
my faithful audience is myself.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
I didn't notice (when and how) I'd cut my left foot big toe yesterday and left home - left traces (an understatement) of blood in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the bedrooms, in the study, in the hallway, in the living room. My sister came home, spooked, to see blood on the floor. She half-believed she would see a dead body (mine) as the blood trail leads her through the apartment. She did not find what she'd expected to discover; that was not good news either as she couldn't figure the mystery behind the blood trail. She called mom, she called me. Mom told her to check if anyone was hiding behind doors or under beds (more spooked) while I confirmed that I did not cut myself after a hasty careless check of soles (very spooked). She watched her rugby semis with a heavy heart. That is, until I'd found a cut on the side of my toe, stained with dried blood. Relieved, she left the trail unwiped, in a proud display for me to view when I returned home that night.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
"sweetly beckoning me ... I can't resist thy touch."
The world famous Medium-format wonder! A cult favorite with a fanatical global following, the Holga produces extraordinary low-tech works of art with the bare minimum of mechanical function. Soft focusing, full double-exposure capability, intense vignetting, and unpredictable light leaks all contribute to the Holga's incredible photo eFects. Each Holga is unique and produces signature images and peculiarities of its own. Buy several and throw some wood on your creative fire! Uses 120 film.
Monday, November 10, 2003
Today is Marine Corps Day. Semper Fi!
Sunday, November 09, 2003
I've just watched my first WWE half-match moments ago and still have yet to comprehend why so many people can get so excited over some men in spandex wrestling in mock anger.. Come on, it's not even real wrestling, just lots of scripted drama, emotions, magnified expressions and exaggerated pain. Couple of past shots of this one Cena guy seem worthy of a second look since he didn't look as beefy as the others (by usual standards, he still ought to cut down on steroids by a fair bit) and he didn't wear spandex (rapper-wannabe-eminem style quite flatter him). In short, act-wrestling could probably win over the masses and garner a bigger fan base, if only they start wearing real clothes and get cuter guys to don them. But well maybe not, since I lasted about half a match and ended up typing an entry here.
Friday, November 07, 2003
So it's confirmed now, six GIs were killed in the crash. No survivors.
Yet another copter crash, this time a US Army Black Hawk near Tikrit. "We don't know if it was a mechanical failure or hostile fire," Maj. Jossyln Aberle, spokeswoman for the 4th Infantry Division, said. You know it doesn't really matter. The end result is still grim: official sources revealed four deaths and two injuries yet a US officer on the scene who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that all six on board were dead.
Tough times ahead for the coalition forces. Iraq is getting out of hand, and you can't use as much force as you want to for fear of international repercussions.
Tough times ahead for the coalition forces. Iraq is getting out of hand, and you can't use as much force as you want to for fear of international repercussions.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
"What would your ambition be if you are not constrained by current education level, financial status, or geographical location?"
THE RANDOM AMBITION PROJECT is well on its way to score big.
Kindly submit Full Name, Age, Location - Ambition (Be specific) and a nice mugshot to writer.
Help realize the dream. Be a part of it.
THE RANDOM AMBITION PROJECT is well on its way to score big.
Kindly submit Full Name, Age, Location - Ambition (Be specific) and a nice mugshot to writer.
Help realize the dream. Be a part of it.
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
tests exist to suck the youth out of us all.
unrelentless, the trauma continues
no sight of an end, no release unto eternal bliss
may retribution befall those who cursed us
sweet joy to us, in hell.
unrelentless, the trauma continues
no sight of an end, no release unto eternal bliss
may retribution befall those who cursed us
sweet joy to us, in hell.
Sunday, November 02, 2003
FALLUJAH, Iraq — A U.S. Chinook helicopter believed carrying dozens of soldiers to their R&R leaves was shot down as it was headed for Baghdad airport on Sunday, killing 13 soldiers and wounding 20, the U.S. command said.
It is getting worse by the day. I fear for these brave men.
It is getting worse by the day. I fear for these brave men.
I went for a haircut yesterday.
"Top Ten Remedies of Stress - Go for a haircut. You'll feel refreshed with a new look."
That is probably the gist of what I had happened to read in a magazine as I sat awaiting my so-called new look.
It's strange how one reads about something that is occurring in real time and probably at the right time too since I am certainly feeling stressed. The therapy came with a hefty price tag, but I guess if I don't make efforts to make myself look (slightly) better, nobody will. I probably could do with a certain splurging on occasional feel-good factors which I could barely afford. But I do so needed that. I don't want to regret at 35 that I'd wasted my youth away.
Finished off the day with a magazine-induced purchase of a moisturizer that boosts fighting off the seven signs of aging and provides SPF 15 UVA/UVB protection for younger-looking skin. If I can't sleep any earlier, I better do something about those late nights.
"Top Ten Remedies of Stress - Go for a haircut. You'll feel refreshed with a new look."
That is probably the gist of what I had happened to read in a magazine as I sat awaiting my so-called new look.
It's strange how one reads about something that is occurring in real time and probably at the right time too since I am certainly feeling stressed. The therapy came with a hefty price tag, but I guess if I don't make efforts to make myself look (slightly) better, nobody will. I probably could do with a certain splurging on occasional feel-good factors which I could barely afford. But I do so needed that. I don't want to regret at 35 that I'd wasted my youth away.
Finished off the day with a magazine-induced purchase of a moisturizer that boosts fighting off the seven signs of aging and provides SPF 15 UVA/UVB protection for younger-looking skin. If I can't sleep any earlier, I better do something about those late nights.
