Chapter 110: Differences

Just contemplating on differences between older gangsters compared to young ones. Especially after having some interest in the recent attacks. This is mainly based on local gang behaviour.

Such public attacks seem to be mostly done by very young gangsters. They do not seem to have enough brains to understand what it means to be a 'secret' society and love to attract or do not seem to mind getting unnecessary attention, especially on the front pages. They just want to prove themselves in toughness, hoping to be respected and feared. Very reckless, not knowing the consequences of such idiotic acts. More dangerous than senior gangsters in this case.

Senior gangsters are more experienced, and while they will fight for turf and to keep people out of their territories, they try as hard as possible to do it away from the eyes of security, knowing they can never truly win against the government and police. They will still beat people up for not paying up extortion money or loans, though. They are mainly interested in profitable crimes, like smuggling of contraband goods, dealing in illegal drugs, managing illegal betting houses, loan shark business, etc.

Chapter 109: Regarding Enid Blyton

I happened to find a book written by Enid Blyton, a well-known children's book writer and decided to flip through. I recalled reading books such as those from her, but I had neglected such collections quite a couple of years.

At first glance, it consists of very simple yet clear plots, upon which easy-to-read sentences utilising a fairly sizable vocabulary are built around.

That said, it is capable of giving an excellent start on building one's vocabulary. The simple writing style, and yet descriptive enough sentences allows one to exercise their imagination to create images of the events within one's mind. The simple plots helps one to get ideas on what can be written about, should they decide to compose essays of their own for practice. The illustrations are enough to help boost imagination, and yet not too much to prevent one from concentrating too much on them rather than on the words depicting the stories, which should be the main point of focus.

With simplicity kept in mind to keep the eyes of readers glued to the pages, the grammar used is perfect. Great for early readers. I guess I still keep them around as a reminder of times past.

Chapter 108: Christian, I Might Refuse To Be

... If this continues on. In this sense, I refer to the Christians I have come across. The only thing we have in common would be a connection with God. Bear in mind this only applies to the ones whom I have met recently, and do not apply to the general population. I may be wrong, and I am biased to an extent here. Bear in mind this as I write.

To be honest, most of such said people whom I have met seem to be completely incapable of writing or speaking one sentence without the word 'God', 'Faith', 'Satan', 'Sin', 'Christ', and the worst part is, in every response they give seems to have a bible reference as a must-have. Yes, I am pretty sick of it, and that pretty much makes the difference between me and them.

Take yesterday for instance, when I was talking to someone. I wanted to steer his conversation to a more casual one, but he would not shut up about using the phrases 'Joyful this', 'Faith that'. He stopped only when I asked about his hobbies. Finally found a way.

I'll give it straight, It is great that you are this dedicated to God as the center of your life, but you have to understand that there are others around you who may not do so to such an extent, that is, those who do not worship the same 'God'. While it may seem perfectly alright to spray the name of your God to no matter who you encounter, it would be great, out of courtesy and to be considerate, to be more universal in your language unless the person seems to be as bold as you.

Another example would be in scam emails concerning money. If you aren't sure of what religion your potential victim would be, be more universal and not so obnoxious, instead of writing 'God bless you' at the end of the mail and making Islam references, when I clearly did not state that I was a Muslim in my msn profile. Does my name sound Muslim in any way? I would reply back in this manner if not for the fact that I do not want to recieve more of such junk mail (I get an irritating number of 15+ every week, when I never ever reply to either. Can't they get it into their thick head that I'm not a greedy fool like their target victims?).

ALright, I'm done ranting for now.

Chapter 107: FYP So Far

From the past three weeks up until now, I've been going through my Final Year Project. It's not really a final year, since I still have a semester left. Well, kind of, I suppose.

It's not so bad. I think I might be getting used to the techniques. The thing is I'm just extra worried about the sterility and the avoiding of contamination so I can get accurate results. Well, I just have a ways to go, since there is stil much to learn in perfecting my skill and techniques. I just wish I can learn faster. Oh, well. One step at a time, right? As long as I remember that every problem has a solution of it's own. I just have to search for it, and sooner or later, depending on my will, I'll find it somehow.

If I were to be honest, I'm still quite concerned about whether my project will be successful. But there's not much choice, isn't there? Rather than be too worried, I should just be cautious, while taking enough courage to dive into the different work I have to do. There isn't much to that. Nothing more, nothing less.

As long as I walk with God as Enoch did, as an instrument of His will, ready to hear and carry out his commands through His perfect plan, while he provides for me all that I need in this journey. And I hope I can continue follow Him even unto his Kingdom after death, just as Enoch was fortunate enough to do so.

Chapter 106: After All That's Said and Done

That's it. Five examination papers came by and gone, so fast, just like that. Now that these five monster modules are out of the way, these five bumps on the road, a new hurdle appears. My final year project approaches, which I have a certain fear about. For one thing, I have never been too skilled when it comes to practicals and presentations. This module includes a lot of lab work and a final presentation at the end.

Everyday at school will be 8.30 am to 5.30 am, with perhaps one hour lunch break at most. The timings for work may be extended if need be.

Oh, right. If I pass my Marketing for Life Sciences 1 this year, I get to take it's sequel next semester too.

I start going back next monday.

That's all for now.

Chapter 105: Checkgoal

Alright, I still post even within such crucial times, unlike what I had said in the last post. I was taking a break for a while, and thought of a game I haven't played for a while. I stopped going to the Chess Club for a while, mainly because except for one and a half of other people, the rest of the players were mainly arrogant, and very ironically, the sterotypical disgrace I thought rarely existed. Biggest one is the latest head honcho who used to be an ex-captain, did badly and had to complete National Service, and still comes crawling back jobless, but is still able to talk big.

To be honest, I respect them as players, but not them as people.

Hopefully that one and half doesn't get corrupt too, just as most people do within 1/2 a year, as I had experienced.

I learnt the game in an about less than an hour after being taught by a friend a few years ago who convinced me to join the co-curricular club he was in, by the lures of a good air conditioned and comfortable environment, with the teacher in charge promising to deliver as many CCA points as possible.

I'm still learning to improve, but I didn't have any other associates whom I managed to convince to play the game. Mainly because of misconceptions.

And even still now, I'm hearing the same ones again.

First of all, do not generalise all players of this game as nerds. I'll like to point out that this applies not only to chess, but science students.

Second of all, stop with the sterotypes of chess players being smart or good at memorising. Not only is that generalising, but let me give you an example here. I'm lousy at grades, possibly one of the worst students in my school in all history, and I have a terrible memory when it comes to taking note of the names of people I manage to meet only once or twice. And the kind of fool who rambles on this blog and often doesn't listen to his own advice.

There's a lot more other than that.

I enjoy chess because it's a game, just like that soccer most people enjoy so much. It has that intense feeling that is special, quite similar to what people might find in regular physical sport games. And yet, it has it's perks compared to soccer. Soccer and other sports are interesting in the fact that you are using your energy and muscles that makes you stay alert at all times and actually pay attention to what you're doing, making victory and defeat that much stimulating.

But chess is a game that you have to calculate and look further ahead, and there is that feeling where at the end, you get to see who prevails in their calculations and predictions. It forces everyone to be on the alert and to be constantly vigilant. Losing focus can result in your downfall here.

And let's face it, unless the opponent is a sore loser or uncouth, and since the rules are so plain to see and follow, there is hardly any need for penalties or any incident of injury. Well, unless the opponent, outside of the actual playing of the game, decides to throw a king in your eye.

Besides that, you don't need a video to record games. You just need either memory, or a paper to record chess notations down turn by turn. That way, unlike soccer, it's so simple to view past games and relfect whenever you want to.

That's all for now. Until then.

Chapter 104: Before the Last Battle

Before I stop writing on this blog for a while in preparation for what could be the most important semester climax of my course of study, before I get to dive into the third year and the final year project, perhaps I should talk about something I just realised these few days.

I had recently attended a gathering/event organised by members of the Faith Community Baptist Church within the polytechnic itself, based on what is known as "The 40 Days of Faith".

And I have this habit of starting discussions that conflict and debates against the Christian faith. Personally, I blame this on the fact that being a free-thinker before, I have spent more time thinking outside of what is written within the bible scriptures. Being a student of science, who thinks of Facts vs Faith as no contest in the favour of facts, this doesn't help lower my impulse to question their beliefs at all.

And most of the time, it seems to be the same. Our discussions enver end, often going in circles. They'll try to break such circles with the talk of faith, while I defend my point of view with facts. And at the end of the day, all they seem to be able to do is give the usual "I may not have all the answers at the moment, but I'm sure they will come one day when the time is right" speech.

Hmm...