The Bad:
First of all, how was your April Fool's Day? It doesn't really matter, does it? But I am asking, for a reason.
See, yesterday while I was driving home, a local radio station decided to play an April Fool's prank on air. How, you ask? They played Kelly Clarkson's 'My Life Would Suck Without You' repeatedly for an hour.
Other than one obscure single, I've never liked any of Kelly Clarkson's songs. Especially this one, since it has such a ridiculous title. And this radio station played it for an hour, over an over. After channel flipping for a while, I realised that it's a joke, because of what day it was yesterday. The question that I have to ask is this: Do they seriously think this is funny?
Repeating a song for an hour is their idea of a prank? They even went to the extent of denying anything being wrong when listeners called up enquiring on why the same song was being played for an hour. Great. What a way to turn off your listeners who don't like that song.
You know, I'm pretty sure they chose that song because the annoying female DJ on air at that time likes it so much. But seriously, it's not really about that particular song being chosen so much as the act itself. Think of the number of listeners who would switch to another station just because they got sick of the prank, and even more who don't like that song. Isn't that a loss to them?
And please don't tell me I don't have a sense of humour. I'll laugh if I think something's hilarious. This was just plain stupid, not to mention childish. I mean, do you know anyone above 20 who still play April Fool's pranks?
The Good:
If you lived in my country, you'd realise that the chances of hearing Marit Larsen's music are pretty much from slim to none. That is, until this morning.
On the way to the office, a radio station that loves playing old and sentimental music played Marit's 'If a Song Could Get Me You'. I don't really listen to this channel, it's my sister that loves the stuff they play on air. And it's her car, so she decides. Anyway, hearing Marit's song on air was a pleasant surprise, because there is seriously no possibility of her solo work getting any attention here, considering how she has focused her career in Europe. If anyone here needs to know what Marit is up to, they'd have to Google her.
Lite FM, I still am not a fan of your music, but I salute you for playing that song today. And to be honest, that song was one of my least favourite Marit numbers, but hearing it on air today actually made me smile. Maybe I'll like it more as time goes by.
Random:
- Last week, a stray cat walked around my office in the afternoon. It didn't run away when I approached it, so I sensed that it was hungry. My colleague took a biscuit and put it on the ground for the cat, but it didn't take it. So I picked up the biscuit and held it for the cat so it could bite it piece by piece. It only finished half, though. This was probably the first time I did something like this, since I'm not really good with animals. People around the condo who saw the cat told us that the spirit of the guy who jumped off the building the other day (read previous entry) is in the cat. I don't know if they were serious or not.
- On Sunday I was walking out to dispose of some garbage when I tripped over the floor near the staircase. I went down hard. I lay there for a few minutes, trying to pick myself up. I wasn't hurt badly, just a big bruise on my knee. It's the same knee I bruised on vacation last month when I walked into the bed corner. Funny how these things happen nowadays when I'm usually not clumsy.
- I purchased a nice compilation CD over the weekend. 33 rock songs from the late 90s to 2002. For RM15! It used to cost RM47.50. The store must have been trying to clear old stock. But hey, a bargain's a bargain;)
- David Archuleta is coming to town. Ugh. Before you David A fans think I hate the guy, let me clarify that I do not. Yes, I do find him dull and his music suits young teenage girls who love boybands and Jesse McCartney. But I don't hate him. I hate the people who think the world of this guy. His fans have the nerve to call themselves Arch Angels. You gotta be kidding. Trust me when I say this: none of you are even close enough to deserve calling yourselves that. It's an insult to the real word. And I do believe with every fiber of my being, that if David wasn't that adorable, he wouldn't have this many fans drooling over him. I know you'll say he's a great singer, I don't doubt that. I simply doubt you'd love him this much if he looked like that kid from Superbad.
You guys have a great April, it's springtime.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Things
I arrived at work this morning as usual, only to learn from the security guard that one of the residents in the condo had jumped off his 14th floor unit to his death. He said that the police were already inside to check it out.
So I went in and walked straight to the scene. They hadn't put up the yellow line yet, so I was able to step within 10 feet of the body, which was already wrapped in a body bag. There was almost no blood around, though I did see some red stains on the floor. After listening to a few residents talking to the security and police, I found out who it was that fell. It wasn't someone I knew personally, but I had heard of him. There were problems between the condo management and him, things I'm not allowed to divulge here. Anyway, this incident marks the first time something like this has happened here in the condo.
This underlines the way this world has been turning lately. Look at how terrible things have made us feel either unsafe or insecure. There are crazed gunmen shooting at innocent people in America, and there was a case like that in Germany too last week. There's a father who raped his daughter for 24 years finally paying for his sins after being convicted in court. There's the high crime rate, wars, riots, economic downturn.....you name it. It seems the older this planet gets, the crazier we become.
The thing is, I don't exactly have the time to dwell on it all. I've got my own matters to deal with. I must say that my life is looking a little better every day. If I try not to worry too much and focus on what's important (my job being one of them), things will work out fine.
Two weeks ago I was on vacation, as you would know, if you have been coming here. I had wanted to post some pics in here, but then again why bother? If you know me, you'd probably be one of my Facebook friends, and you can just go there to look at them. Besides, no one really comes in here anymore.
I watched Watchmen last weekend. Great movie. Review is up on the other blog. It's a thought provoking film about humanity and morality from different perspectives. It's not for everyone to enjoy, I know this film has its shortcomings on the masses. But if you have 3 hours to spare, give it a try.
I'm going back to the cinema tomorrow. Take care, everyone.
So I went in and walked straight to the scene. They hadn't put up the yellow line yet, so I was able to step within 10 feet of the body, which was already wrapped in a body bag. There was almost no blood around, though I did see some red stains on the floor. After listening to a few residents talking to the security and police, I found out who it was that fell. It wasn't someone I knew personally, but I had heard of him. There were problems between the condo management and him, things I'm not allowed to divulge here. Anyway, this incident marks the first time something like this has happened here in the condo.
This underlines the way this world has been turning lately. Look at how terrible things have made us feel either unsafe or insecure. There are crazed gunmen shooting at innocent people in America, and there was a case like that in Germany too last week. There's a father who raped his daughter for 24 years finally paying for his sins after being convicted in court. There's the high crime rate, wars, riots, economic downturn.....you name it. It seems the older this planet gets, the crazier we become.
The thing is, I don't exactly have the time to dwell on it all. I've got my own matters to deal with. I must say that my life is looking a little better every day. If I try not to worry too much and focus on what's important (my job being one of them), things will work out fine.
Two weeks ago I was on vacation, as you would know, if you have been coming here. I had wanted to post some pics in here, but then again why bother? If you know me, you'd probably be one of my Facebook friends, and you can just go there to look at them. Besides, no one really comes in here anymore.
I watched Watchmen last weekend. Great movie. Review is up on the other blog. It's a thought provoking film about humanity and morality from different perspectives. It's not for everyone to enjoy, I know this film has its shortcomings on the masses. But if you have 3 hours to spare, give it a try.
I'm going back to the cinema tomorrow. Take care, everyone.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Fatigue
I can no longer speak, or write this blog the same way I used to. Do you recall how I first started Familiar Refrain? It wasn't the best written blog there was, but back then I wouldn't hesitate too much, or be too lazy to put my thoughts down on it.
Now, what is there left to say or do?
Too much has changed. The status quo has altered. And what once was is no longer there. Even my readers have diminished, probably because I let them down, more so than this blog has. And because of that, I no longer have the enthusiasm to put my emotions into this thing, to tell you all what plagues my troubled mind.
What worries me is that my top concern at the moment refers to not being heard. I'd talk about that here, but no one will hear me, will they?
I'm so tired. Tired of the way things have become. And on top of that, I have so much to do, and every day it saps my strength. Takes me to the limit.
And there are still many people that I miss. I'm tired of feeling that way, but I refuse to let them go.
I have an upcoming trip in a few days. I doubt it will help change the way I feel now. At best, it'll distract me for a while. But there is only one cure for what I have. And it's beyond my reach right now.
Perhaps the only thing I can wish for at this point, is to have just a little bit of happiness that everyone else has. Then maybe feeling all this fatigue will be worth it.
Now, what is there left to say or do?
Too much has changed. The status quo has altered. And what once was is no longer there. Even my readers have diminished, probably because I let them down, more so than this blog has. And because of that, I no longer have the enthusiasm to put my emotions into this thing, to tell you all what plagues my troubled mind.
What worries me is that my top concern at the moment refers to not being heard. I'd talk about that here, but no one will hear me, will they?
I'm so tired. Tired of the way things have become. And on top of that, I have so much to do, and every day it saps my strength. Takes me to the limit.
And there are still many people that I miss. I'm tired of feeling that way, but I refuse to let them go.
I have an upcoming trip in a few days. I doubt it will help change the way I feel now. At best, it'll distract me for a while. But there is only one cure for what I have. And it's beyond my reach right now.
Perhaps the only thing I can wish for at this point, is to have just a little bit of happiness that everyone else has. Then maybe feeling all this fatigue will be worth it.
Monday, February 9, 2009
What If?
I'm going to let you all in on a little secret, but to be honest I'm not sure if I've already mentioned this fact to some of you who come here to read my thoughts.
As you all know, I'm the youngest of two children, just me and my big sister. But actually, I should have had two sisters. My mother gave birth to a stillborn girl about a year before I was born. If she had lived, I would be the third child, but still the youngest.
Today the thought of my late sister crossed my mind, for no reason at all. I woke up this morning, and suddenly I was thinking of her. I remembered that I was dreaming of someone, but it wasn't her. It felt odd somehow, that after so much time had passed since I last thought of her, and it happened.
And then I started thinking about what it would be like if she had been around, if there was another member of the family, if I had another sibling. So I came up with the pros and cons:
Pros:
- she'd understand me better. I know this isn't a certainty. She never lived, so how would I know what she'd be like? But then, if she had been born just a year before me, how different could she be from me? I know for a fact that my older sister is nothing like me. At all. She's four years my senior, so you do the math. My late sister might have understood how different I was, how I was the black sheep, and maybe she could protect me better from those who couldn't fathom me.
- less attention would be on me. You know, being the youngest has its disadvantages. You get treated like a child all the time. And I know that even if my late sister had lived, I'd still be at the bottom of the line. But at least my parents would have to divide attention among three kids, and a cake divided in three parts is still less than two.
- I wouldn't feel lonely. Sometimes you just can't hang out with the same people all the time, even if it's your family. You'll get bored. If she had lived, maybe I can have a best friend I could never really get with my older sister. There's a chance I'll get bored with her at some point too, I know. But deep down I feel she'd be nothing like my older sister, and even if she is nothing like me, I would get along with her a lot easier, and I could learn from her too.
Cons:
- another voice in the house equals more noise. It can get really noisy at home when the ladies start talking, and by that I mean my sister and mother. Add another girl to that equation....uh oh :P
- a bigger family would mean more expenses, and that would make things hard for our parents at some point. I'm certain all of you know about financial constraints and how it affects your everyday lives. I gotta tell you, I've been in bad financial situations before, and having an extra member of the family might complicate things.
- if she lived, I may not be here at all.
That particular last point may be the truest of all. I remembered when I first learned about my late sister, my mum said that if she had lived, perhaps I wouldn't be born. Strange to know that maybe she died so that I could live. In some ways, that is sad. But all of this is God's will. He made it happen. I am here, and she is not. I don't know why, but I'm certain He had his reasons.
Despite the cons I listed, I think having her here with me would be a good thing. I look at my friends, and most of them have big families (Anouk and Rhea, you're both exceptions lol), and I kinda envy that. Envy having a large family that gets to have a big reunion when we're all old, trading stories and sharing family members and making new ones. I wonder how big my family would be someday.
Ah, I dare not dream that last part. Maybe it'll still be just me and who I have now. Or more. Who knows.
As you all know, I'm the youngest of two children, just me and my big sister. But actually, I should have had two sisters. My mother gave birth to a stillborn girl about a year before I was born. If she had lived, I would be the third child, but still the youngest.
Today the thought of my late sister crossed my mind, for no reason at all. I woke up this morning, and suddenly I was thinking of her. I remembered that I was dreaming of someone, but it wasn't her. It felt odd somehow, that after so much time had passed since I last thought of her, and it happened.
And then I started thinking about what it would be like if she had been around, if there was another member of the family, if I had another sibling. So I came up with the pros and cons:
Pros:
- she'd understand me better. I know this isn't a certainty. She never lived, so how would I know what she'd be like? But then, if she had been born just a year before me, how different could she be from me? I know for a fact that my older sister is nothing like me. At all. She's four years my senior, so you do the math. My late sister might have understood how different I was, how I was the black sheep, and maybe she could protect me better from those who couldn't fathom me.
- less attention would be on me. You know, being the youngest has its disadvantages. You get treated like a child all the time. And I know that even if my late sister had lived, I'd still be at the bottom of the line. But at least my parents would have to divide attention among three kids, and a cake divided in three parts is still less than two.
- I wouldn't feel lonely. Sometimes you just can't hang out with the same people all the time, even if it's your family. You'll get bored. If she had lived, maybe I can have a best friend I could never really get with my older sister. There's a chance I'll get bored with her at some point too, I know. But deep down I feel she'd be nothing like my older sister, and even if she is nothing like me, I would get along with her a lot easier, and I could learn from her too.
Cons:
- another voice in the house equals more noise. It can get really noisy at home when the ladies start talking, and by that I mean my sister and mother. Add another girl to that equation....uh oh :P
- a bigger family would mean more expenses, and that would make things hard for our parents at some point. I'm certain all of you know about financial constraints and how it affects your everyday lives. I gotta tell you, I've been in bad financial situations before, and having an extra member of the family might complicate things.
- if she lived, I may not be here at all.
That particular last point may be the truest of all. I remembered when I first learned about my late sister, my mum said that if she had lived, perhaps I wouldn't be born. Strange to know that maybe she died so that I could live. In some ways, that is sad. But all of this is God's will. He made it happen. I am here, and she is not. I don't know why, but I'm certain He had his reasons.
Despite the cons I listed, I think having her here with me would be a good thing. I look at my friends, and most of them have big families (Anouk and Rhea, you're both exceptions lol), and I kinda envy that. Envy having a large family that gets to have a big reunion when we're all old, trading stories and sharing family members and making new ones. I wonder how big my family would be someday.
Ah, I dare not dream that last part. Maybe it'll still be just me and who I have now. Or more. Who knows.
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