Spreading Some Awareness

I have come across some worthy causes and thought it would be good to play my part and spread the news. I'll place the relevant links on the sidebar for your clicking pleasure.

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Light a Million Candles
This is an attempt to fight the spread of child pornography. Click on the LightAMillionCandles link to "light" a digital candle to show your support for this cause and read some of the material to improve your awareness of this growing problem.

Dove Campaign for Real Beauty
I love this movement initiated by DOVE. In my opinion, I think that being fat is not good but I think it is not good because I know it hurts my health. My experiences with the way my family, friends and relatives react to me being fat, the way I allow their remarks to get to me - that's the root cause of my low self-esteem. Sometimes, no matter how much you try to shield yourself from the hurtful things people around you say, it'll still hurt on the inside. I give this movement my full support because I truly believe that change do not happen with time, change only starts to happen the moment you change your mindset. Link. I cried when I saw this clip because I saw myself.

Found a Very Entertaining Documentary

It is called I DO ... LET'S EAT!
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It is about weddings and banquets and customs. It is filmed in a very relaxed manner. I loved the episode featuring Chris & Amy. They were so funny. Here is one of their conversations on their wedding day.

[ Bridesmaid is kneeling at the bride's feet trying to adjust her skirt and shoes ]
Chris to Camera man: Hey don't zoom in on her legs.
Chris to Bridesmaid: Hey what's taking so long, what're you doing down there?
Bridesmaid to Chris: You're just jealous because I have been under her skirt a whole lot more than you.
Chris to Bridesmaid: Well... not after tonight.
[ Amy (the Bride) just blushes because she cannot believe Chris actually said that while they were being filmed for this documentary ]

Very funny. Here is the link.

Reached My Threshold for Stupidity This Week

Three different situations gives rise to one stupid response in three different forms. (yes, stupidity comes in many forms, this latest one must be a mutated form for it seems to be a little more resistant to reason and the not-so-common common sense.)
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Situation number 1 : Wifi Mooching
The news article is too lengthy so the gist of it is as follows -

1. Teenage boy surfed the net using an unsecured network without authorization.
   
2. He was caught, brought to court, found guilty and sentenced.
   
3. He was sent to a boy's home for nine months, 80 hours of community service and banned from using the internet for 18 months.
   

It is my opinion that he is absolutely in the wrong for doing what he did, but it is a little sad to see him face such a harsh sentence because the powers that be want to make him a shining deterent for all to see. Here is my analysis -

1. He is just a kid alright, surely as savvy as kids are with computers these days, a lack of judgement on their part isn't unheard of for kids his age.
   
2. He logged on to the network of an unsecured router automatically, as it is the case for most computers these days, unless you set it otherwise in Windows (or some other operating system). He did not deliberately hack into any system to obtain entry.
   
3. When he was in the network, all he did and had wanted to do was check email and go on messenger. He did not hack into the person's PC or try to fish for personal information or attempted to do something malicious.
   

There is so much more I had wanted to say, but thank God I found like-minded, intelligent people who have come up with excellent rebuttals, so I will just reproduce their thoughts here.
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" I HAVE been watching with growing concern the prosecution of individuals for Wi-Fi theft. The premise of such a prosecution shows a lack of understanding of the underlying technology and the regulatory framework under which it was launched. Wi-Fi is a standard for data transmission over unlicensed radio spectrum. The rules governing this usage were set in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission. As the protocol and equipment gained popularity, demand forced other governments to allow the same usage. The key here is that the radio spectrum being used is unlicensed. Like citizens' band radio in the 1970s and 80s, anyone is allowed to transmit and receive on this spectrum. There are no guarantees of privacy or private property. Once Wi-Fi became widely available, people quickly realised that their data was at risk if they transmitted without some sort of encryption. Equipment manufacturers, not governments, responded by offering, first, Wireless Equivalency Privacy (WEP), then stronger forms of encryption when WEP was shown to be hackable. Wi-Fi transmitters are designed to broadcast their availability, and Wi-Fi receivers, to search for all available networks. Any laptop will automatically list all available networks that can be 'seen'. In my flat, I can see at least 12 networks, at least half of which are not encrypted. One analogy proposed tries to equate Wi-Fi mooching with physical entry into someone's house: 'Just because I leave my door unlocked, does not mean you are free to enter.' This analogy is inappropriate. Wi-Fi is designed to send a welcome message to anyone operating with Wi-Fi-compliant hardware. The proper analogy is 'You are welcome to come into my house unless the door is locked'. Silence, or inaction, on the part of the network owner is consent. The real culprit in this sad state of affairs is the person who attaches a Wi-Fi transmitter to his home wired network, and knowingly fails to turn on basic encryption. Such individuals are breaking the terms of their agreements with the Internet service providers which prevent further distribution or access by individuals other than the subscriber. It is time we stop ruining the lives of children by giving them inappropriate criminal records, and start going after the real problem, those who are too lazy to use equipment properly. "

- [Waleed Hanafi, " Stop criminalising the young over Wi-Fi 'theft', Straits Times Forum, 18 January 2007]
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Situation number 2: UK Celebrity Big Brother and Racism

If you heard the news on Tv or radio these few days, you would most probably have crossed report on the UK Celebrity Big Brother racism issue - directed toward Shilpa Shetty, an indian actress. This problem became so big, it was hotly debated in the British Parliment and in major news corporations worldwide, there was an uproar in India which caused a strain in British/India relationships which in turn caused the economy of Britian to dip a little due to loss in businesses and what have you. Just google it and you'll have a few dozen articles regarding this incident.

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What do I think of this? I think that all these people (those who make a mountain out of a molehill) are bloody idiots. Hey I'm against racism too but I do not deny that I'm sometimes a racist, deny it all you want, but I believe sometimes you are too, but we all strive to surpress that ugly side with discipline and decorum. That's life. However, that in itself is not my argument.

My argument is this: They are talking about a reality TV show here, and on top of that, it is Big Brother. Don't they realize that it is the very idea of clashing ideals/ opinions/ personalities/ sexual tension... that draw millions of viewers every week? That's what the whole bloody show is about! If you place 10 people in the house with sweet cupcake personalities, who are polite and agreeable on every account, who read Bible verses to each other as entertainment, who only whisper words of love and encouragement to each other, do you - in your right mind - think that this will be a popular show?

Of course the producers have to put a front on this racism issue, they would have to go on record and say 'NO' to racist remarks in their show, they would say that they have absolutely zero tolerance for housemates who behave in that unruly manner, but seriously who are they kidding? Proven once again, bad publicity is still publicity, ever since this issue blew up, their ratings reached stratospheric heights. So as the saying goes, if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you cannot stand the show's antics then just bloody well boycott the show. Cancelling the show or chiding the contestents will do absolutely nothing, it is not like the housemates will have a sudden change of heart and be tolerant of all races. So why the fuss?

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Situation number 3 - American Idol 2007

As with all seasons, the judges will move from state to state auditioning for people with good voices, before filtering them down to the best amongst them. And as usual, there will be the weirdos, the jokers, those who are tone deaf, all of them firmly believing that they'll become the next American idol. That's alright because we all know they are just there to get their 2 minutes of fame. So for the show's ratings along with some good laughs, that's alright, it's just part of the program. HOWEVER...

There are contestants who truly truly believe they can be the next american idol but who also truly truly suck at singing. They are excruciatingly bad. Nails dragged across a chalk board kind of bad. So when asked why they believe they can make it to the next round despite their lack of talent... some replied that they were unique, some said they prayed (I cannot believe they dragged God in this) but the best answer ever was that they were nursing a hope.

Hope? What were they hoping for? Were they hoping for the millions of voting viewers of American Idol to be deaf? Oh boy oh boy oh boy... my hearts goes out to the judges who have to sit through the entire ordeal.

Acquiring the Art of Gift Giving

I suck at gift giving. No, I'm not in a self-deprecating mood, this statement is a product of my observation and evaluation over the past 7 years. I really need to improve in the art of gift giving, starting with the category of choosing gifts. Seriously, thinking back, I really hope that some of the recipients of my gifts will just throw their gifts away, I mean seriously, screw the thoughtfulness of it all, if you do not like the gift, you ought to have the right to just throw it away, just get it out of your sight, for the love of God, throw the insipid trash out the window before you get infected with my putrid gift-giving disease! Do it! Do it Now, before it is too late, before you get blinded by the shining example of what you do not want.... Saaaaave yourself!
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Yes. I think this will be a pet project of mine. I have a few gifts to give this year so that'll be good practice. I'm so blessed last year, I've been given many wonderful gifts, in fact, thinking back, throughout my life I have received many many excellent gifts - gifts that I still possess to this day. So, much is expected to whom much is given right? Ok, I need to set a few rules as guidelines.

1. All those dinner/shopping vouchers I can buy will make me a lazy giver, so no vouchers this year. I will set aside some time to think. If I love the person enough to purchase a birthday gift then I will jolly well put a little thought into it.
   
2. I must remember that it is always best to give something the person wants AND needs, BUT getting what the person wants is more important than getting what the person needs because what the person needs will be bought by the person eventually. Practicality will have to play second fiddle to Vanity.
   
3. Maybe I ought to design some feedback cards the recipient can mail back to me, just to let me know where I stand. But that again may not be such a good idea because that person may be too kind to be brutally honest. Actually, I am placing the recipient between a rock and a hard place. If they really do dislike the gift, and gave me feedback about it, it would be like admitting they were picky, high-class ingrates. So feedback cards is a bad idea. .. ok strike off.
   

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Is this considered a new year resolution? Whatever.

Lest I Forget #3 - I'm Glad I did Not Bathe

I don't know what has brought about wave after wave of repressed memories. Aw well, since I recalled this particular one, I thought I had better pen it down. Why? I ask myself that same question. There must be a sado-masochistic side of me hidden somewhere.
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This incident happened while I was still an undergrad. I joined the gym that was located on campus. I had the habit of waking up real early (like 5.30am) to be at the gym at 6am (its opening time) so I could have a good workout before classes start.
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I did this for a couple of times a week and it became my routine. Humans are really habitual creatures. I would wake up, go to the gym, join a workout class that was available, do some free weights, head on down to the locker, shower down and off to classes I go. That was my routine.
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However, on this particular day, I lost track of time so I decided to skip the shower. I decided it would be best to just change into some fresh clothes and shower during my lunch break instead. Boy was I glad I did that, because it was on this particular day that I managed to enter the wrong locker room - the Female one.
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I felt nothing was amiss because there was no one changing in the locker room. The guy's locker rooms do not have urinals as well, only cubicles and there were no pieces of clothing or shoes that would have otherwise indicated to me that this was indeed a female locker room.
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Anyway. After I changed and put my shoes on, out came a woman wearing a bath towel. The look on her face was hilarious because I believe for a moment there, she too thought that she had gone to the wrong locker room and what's worse, she even took her time to bathe. (Seriously, how funny would it be if she was bathing and suddenly heard a group of guys bantering. I wonder what would her plan be? Stay put till everyone leaves or confidently walk out, change and then leave?)
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For a good 10 seconds, we stared at each other, we just did not know what to do. I broke the silence by saying this "Is this the female locker room?" She said "I sure hope so." Then I said "Well then, I had better be off." She smiled and that was that.
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I sure am glad that she wasn't a screamer, and I'm doubly glad that I didn't bathe that day. The event played itself out without much drama. It was all very um... collegiate.

Lest I Forget #2 - Four + Play

For no reason whatsoever, I recalled a funny incident that happened when I was a teenager. 13 or 14 years of age. Anyway, my sister, my female cousin of the same age and I were watching a movie called "The Cutting Edge" on VHS (video tape). This was one of my all time favorite romantic movies by the way. Anyway, somewhere in the movie, there was this scene where the word "foreplay" was said. I did not understand the definition of foreplay and proceeded to ask my cousin what that meant. (Now do you understand why I had to specify that my cousin was female?) Her face just blushed like mad and she refused to explain what it was.
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After much pleading, she just gave in to my persistence and said "Foreplay is the thing that you do before sex." Honestly, I was not surprised one bit. I knew it had to be of a sexual nature because of the way she reacted. But I just did not know what the big deal was. You see, in my mind, I thought that "foreplay" was two words, "Four" + "Play" and I thought it just meant that the guy had to play four games with the female before sex. And when I say games, I really do mean games, like Monopoly or Scrabble or Hide & Seek, those sort of games.
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It was only much much later before I came to understand the magnitude of my blunder. It also made me firmly believe that it is absolutely true that women mature much faster than men.

The Things That My Parents Remember

This afternoon, my sister purposefully declared to the family "I am going to clean up my room!" She soon realized that it was a rookie mistake because saying that is like proclaiming an open invitation for heaps of criticism, unless the listener shows mercy. Too bad we - father, mother and myself - didn't show any.
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So my sister was taking on hit after hit, an endless barrage of observations, opinions and suggestions on the lack of state of cleanliness/tidiness of her room. After that, it was like open season for my parents, and they decided to pick on me.
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My dad said that my room was neat and tidy now but the one thing that he will never forget, was the time when he visited during my summer vacation and saw that I had tied a whole bunch of clean underwear (14 of them I think) with a rubber rope and hung it on the clothes rack, taking one out whenever it was needed.
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My mom then joined in, saying that she too was appalled when she went to my backyard (the place where I hung my clothes to dry) and saw/counted that I had 14 underwear hanging on the clothesline. She wanted to laugh and faint at the same time because she came to a conclusion that I only did my washing once a fornight.
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They did not seem to accept my reason for doing things this way. Yes, I admit I'm lazy but it is a system I have honed for more than 2 years. I use up my underwear in 2 weeks (I had 15 pieces in all), and wash them all at once, as soon as I'm just left with the one that I was wearing. It only takes an hour of the summer sun to dry them to a crisp so that was alright. And when all my underwear is dry, I just string them up for easy dispensation, and this cycle repeats itself. Is that so hard to accept?
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Anyway, my point is this: How is it that they can remember the details so vividly? They can hardly recall the finer details of our many trips down south but they remember the state of my laundry. Why did they even bother to remember something as insignificant as that? Or was it truly significant to them? Did my routine shock them beyond belief? All these questions... funny lah my parents, the things that they choose to remember.

Soup Slap

~ Yesterday's Dinner ~
I had to make my own dinner yesterday. I made a visual inspection of what's available in the fridge. Not much. I grabbed what I could and made some soup. Short beans, carrots, winter melon, corn, japanese enoki mushrooms. I ladled the contents of the pot into a BIG bowl. I set the bowl in front of me, ready to dig in when it suddenly hit me.
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What the hell happened? This is me, FD, with a big bowl of vegetable soup for dinner. What's wrong with the picture here? Where is FD, the carnivore? What's with the bambi portions? I'm becoming a HeaLLLLthy eater (*agonizing scream*) What's next FD? Thinking of becoming one of those tree huggers? Or perhaps you might want to join the save the spotted owl movement?
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Damn it. I knew this day would come, like when I'm 80 or something. I don't care, I'm going to have a big fat juicy piece of porterhouse steak at least once this year!

The First Hour of 2007

I'm writing this post in the first hour of 2007. I've decided not to make any new year resolutions. Enough with the resolutions. I believe that not making resolutions does not make me a pessimistic, visionless man. I've decided to live in the present - in the here and now.
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I do, however, wish to start this new year by making a short list of what I'm grateful for in the year 2006. This will give me a little perspective, if and when I do read this post a year from now.

I'm grateful....

1. To have finally completed my degree after 4 long years. Looking back, I find that I struggled so much just to obtain this piece of certification. I was so fearful of not being able to graduate, I even had nightmares about it 2 months after my graduation ceremony. I'm just glad it is over.
   
2. To my parents, for their unflinching support throughout those 4 years. They gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to study overseas, to experience another country and culture, to be independant, to have space to find myself. Without their sacrifices to fund this dream, without their continual support to let me forge my own path, my life would have been so different.
   
3. To be placed in my current position as a voice of reason within my family. With everyone so headstrong, I guess I'm the cushion this family needs to ease the friction. I guess there is a reason why the definition of my name is "the peacekeeper."
4. To have found bambi and yaliooh. I'm not a very social person, so finding 2 individuals that suit my lifestyle and personality is really a godsend. They just let me be me, and that, to me, is a much treasured quality.
   
5. To have a good solid rest. I look forward to enter a new chapter in my life. A transistion from a struggling student to a working adult. It is time to move on.
   
6. To be able to see some friends through very difficult times. I'm glad God gave me enough wisdom to shut up and listen. Judge not. Fear not. Hate not.
   
7. To be level-headed when it comes to matters of the heart. I must admit. I would like to have a taste of what being in love is all about. However, there are tasks at hand that I have to conquer first. I have to find myself and my sense of self-worth before I start any romantic alliance. I need to be fair to me and more so to her.
   
8. To have developed the resolve to lose weight. I thank God that it has finally sunk in - the seriousness of my weight issue. I'm not getting any younger. I cannot have blatant disregard for my health anymore. If I want my quality of life to be good, then my health must be of paramount importance.
   
9. To God. He has helped me realize that I cannot always change the situation presented before me. I can, however, change the way I see it. He helped me understand that it is alright to scream, to be frustrated, to despair, to be angry, to lament, to complain, to ask "why why why" because this is the way we humans are, but after exhausting all those emotions, to come back to Him, be still and know that He is God. He is still in control.
   
10. That I can live past my 27th birthday (2006) when - in my personal experience - some cannot say the same. I want to take each day as it comes. Life is like that I guess, control it too much and you might just miss the point of it all, let go too much and you just might lose it all. Finding balance? Easier said than done, but it is a lofty goal, it is a worthy goal.
    

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I will give 3 cheers to my lofty, worthy goal.