Gangs Of New York

Consider the one of the busiest city today, New York had her very own story to tell in the "Gangs Of New York", a film by Martin Scorsese.

This story was told in the time of New York Draft Riots,
that break loose on July 11 to July 16, 1863, where a Irish American young man, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) who held vengeance against his enemy, Bill William Cutting (Cameron Diaz).

Cutting killed Amsterdam's father (Priest) in a battle between the Natives (True Americans) and the Dead Rabbits (Other Races, mainly Irish), and little Amsterdam was locked up in the Hell Gate for 16 years. Cutting was fighting for his father's name as an true American, who hated the
Irish, and the African Americans, whereas Priest fought for his fellows. Amsterdam never understood his father's action, all he cared was to revenge.

On the other hand, Boss Tweet, consider one of the most corrupted politician ever in American history, sided whichever party that benefits him. In order to stay in his post, he had to get votes, which upset the New Yorkers.

This films tells me, at least, about how corruption and racism can overturn a city, which brings death and misery.

However, if the story was meant to be written and presented in a confusing manner, it succeeded. I was lost couple of times during the show. At times I was pretty disturbed by the soundtracks and sound effects, and I realized one part, where sound mis-match.
I wasn't very much impressed by the camera angles, not that it's bad, but it's fair.
As for the ending, it's good but maybe could end in another way.

During the 190mins, as the show proceeding something reoccurring in my mind, the 1964 Race Riots in Singapore (Geyland). I always tell my friends and family that...One day, I'm going to bring this story up onto the screen, to commemorate Racial Harmony Day.
I know it sounds ridiculous and corny, but as much as I concern, it's my dream, not that I'm patriotic but at least to me......

"Our past is the torch that lights our way."

3 and the half pop corns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRKx7hd3X9k&feature=related

[Link to the Trailer]

The Person You Need To WIn - Youself

This is the 3rd time I completed a marathon.
Nothing special compare to lot of people out there.
However what make one special is what kind of mentality is he holding.

When I officially started my marathon journey,
it was tough, it was my buddy, Warren Chew who gave me a goal to achieve,
"If I start lifting up my legs and start running, I'll not let it stop until I finish."

When I achieved this goal, I set another goal,
"Even no one train with me, I train alone..."
[Even I'm alone, I still can get things done, I don't need a wall.]

This mentality lasted till my first marathon, Adidas Sundown 2009.
After Sundown 2009, I strongly believe in 1 Chinese saying,
"台上1分鐘，台下10年工" - it simply means you've to spend longer
and more time practicing, just for that 1 moment. - Also, the slogan for
Adidas, "Impossible Is Nothing".

Few months later before Standard Charted Marathon 2009, I continue keeping
this mentality to run and my timing that year proved me that, my mentality is stronger than
6 months ago.




In 2010, I completed my 2nd Adidas Sundown Marathon again, but this time round I'm other than my mental is stronger, I came out with something which I find it very true.

- Results-

For pass 6 months, regardless long run or short run, I'm always arranging this idea of mine -
"Running is the best to explain Life."

- You don't have to keep up to others pace when you can't, keep it to your own pace. As you keep on training, one day you might just keep up to his pace or even faster. First, you have to find out what kind of pace is the best for you, and you gradually improve - another words, understand yourself. You don't have to rush, just be honest and admit that you're not at that standard yet. Put your winning ego down, you can't be the best, because it just don't exist. Who we're always challenging is ourselves, to push yourself further, nearer to the limits. No matter what, there's always an ending point waiting for us, it is how much you had enjoy the run and how much you have experience during the run. -



This is what I've been thinking all these while, it is not very true, but it's the best for me right now.



- The moment you step over the finishing line, your life changed -



- The Pain I Endure -




- The boys that spend money to torture themselves -

Reason for me to run: For The T-Shirt and The Medal - It significant that, I've once again win myself.

Martial Arts

Recently, I am very obsess with Wing Chun (詠春), due to Ip Man 1 & 2.

At this point of time, I feel that, it's like I'm back to my younger days and at the same time it's refreshing and bringing me back to my childhood dream. I always have the desire to practice Martial Arts, and amaze people, and this desire came from Bruce Lee.

At a point of time, he was my idol, I wanted to fight like him, behave like him, so I started screaming and doing all the monkey stunts, but slowly, idolization fades away as I grow.

Until I knew Ip Man, then everything comes back, but this time, it's not just about idolization or fascination. It's about respect and learning, they are my role models now.

After watching Ip Man, I was fascinated by the product, his Wing Chun, even till now I am, but what puzzled me was "What is the reason for bring his story onto the big screen?", "Was it because he was the one who broadcast Wing Chun, or was it because he's Bruce Lee's mentor, or he was able to bring the essence of Wing Chun?" "Why is he known as Master of The Era (一代宗師)?"

The answers are all in the video:

1. The Art of Fighting Without fighting:




2. Respect:





3. Dignity:




4. Chinese Martial Arts:





Something wise from his disciple, Bruce Lee



When I'm self-practicing Wing Chun, recently, I know why I want to practice, it's a goal, a process in my life. I just want to do what I like, and enjoy it. This process whether it is perfect or not, it's my form of honest expression, an expression of emotion.

Bother

This is a song by Stone Sour
a side project by Corey Taylor from Slipknot.

According to lead singer Corey Taylor, this song is about "losing yourself and finding yourself all in one breath." It was written in a car on the way back home to the state of Iowa.

According to me I've 3 interpretation to it.

1. "seeing yourself fail and age. not bothering to help out the dying-self. Everyone has more than one side, it's portraying how ugly one side can be and how helpless another side can be. And how one replace another."

2. "this song is an internal conversation. the lines, You dont need to bother I dont need to be, I'll keep slipping further" is each side telling the other that they are separating, rejecting eachother. the lines, "But once I hold on, I won't let go til it bleeds" is one side saying, to the self, The sin dies, the life stays with me. Watch the video, the faces look at eachother in a conversation like style. One face is remorsefull and seeking atonement and the other is innocent and angry willing to redeam the soul, not the deciet/sin."

3. "The story of life in general. The good, the bad, and the ugly.(No pun intended) The different verse's narrate or tell of different parts of life. During times of pain, addictions, afflections, trying to understand a meaning of God. Like 'zombies' with go through daily life wearing masks, but underneath we're dealing with everything else, 'dying' in a way, getting older as we do. We write down diaries of how we feel inside along the way, even though no one cares. Then in the end we don't 'Bother' with dealing with it anymore, we just carry on. But when he hold onto something that we truly feel is good/right, we "won't let go tell it bleeds." But even then we can't let down what we had in our pasts. Thats just the way I feel. "

I guess words can never describe a universal meaning for everyone. Everybody interprets it their own way.

I was totally attracted to this song and upon listening is not enough, so I move on to the video.
It is simple, but interesting.
Enjoy both the music and the video.



Lyrics

Wish I was too dead to cry
My self-affliction fades
Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater
You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds

Wish I was too dead to care
If indeed I cared at all
Never had a voice to protest
So you fed me shit to digest
I wish I had a reason;
my flaws are open season
For this, I gave up trying
One good turn deserves my dying

You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds

[Solo: Corey]

Wish I'd died instead of lived
A zombie hides my face
Shell forgotten
with its memories
Diaries left
with cryptic entries

And you don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on,
I won't let go 'til it bleeds

You don't need to bother;
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on:
I'll never live down my deceit

In God's Hands

Kat does a special tattoo for a couple
Jonathan and Gil
who have just dealt with the grief of losing their baby daughter

Watch the video for more

Credit: Anthony for sharing

Personal Respond:

Once I heard from my Grey Matters tutor told me this:
The reason why I tattoo is because I want to prove that I'm mature enough to make a decision that's permanent

Sawn is a wise guy to me
since the first day I saw him
Not a man I can fool around with

I was impressed by his words
Something new

Tattoo to many is an art
To me yes
I wouldn't disagree
However I find that tattoo
is more like a symbol

It symbolizes somethings

Gangster tattoo symbolize they are gangster
Soldier tattoo symbolize identity
and many more...

When I think about it
Tattoo has replace marriage

The biggest permanent decision to me is Marriage
Wife only need one and only one

If I have to put tattoo
I will just put one
It will defeat the purpose if I put the second one

I've only find one acceptable reason to have a second one
which is to tattoo down every sin or mistakes you have made

Artist-Genius-Depression, oh-My

http://thisbrazenteacher.blogspot.com/2009/06/artist-genius-depression-oh-my.html

Read this link.

[Credit to this blogger & Mus V Hanns]

快樂心經

快樂心經

不埋怨 要感恩 －不貪心 要知足
不煩惱 要樂觀 －不爭功 要分享
不記恨 要寬恕 － 不批評 要讚美
不死懼 要心安 － 不衝動 要忍耐
不嫉妒 要欣賞 － 不發怒 要微笑
不計較 要寬宏 － 不拖延 要積極
不自私 要捨得 － 不自誇 要謙虛
不氣餒 要振作 － 不欺騙 要誠信

Little Note《小字條》

December 17, 2009

0000hrs

I watched another short film by Royston Tan
Little Note
《小字條》

[Synopsis]
Living with little wants in the countryside, Zhiren and his mother expressed their love and support for each other in a simple way - by exchanging little notes. These words of encouragement spurred their every step forward in life, helping them cast aside fear and despair in times of uncertainty. Interweaving poetic cinematography, intricate scenes of mother-and-son intimacy and a heartfelt original score, Little Note will meander its way into your heart like a clear, pristine stream.

[Preview of Little Note］

I see very much of my mum and myself in this film.
It made me teared on my birthday.

12 mins of film
8 Post Cards
3 Impressive Quotes Among 8 Post Cards
5 Unforgettable Scene
1 meaningful packaging


[The Packaging]

I was impress with the packaging when I first saw it.
Unique is the best word.
Further surprises came as I unwrapped it.
8 pieces of post cards,
3 beautiful quotes were printed among 8 pieces of cards.


[First Piece]

如果我們把對未知的恐懼放下，
就會有無窮的勇氣，
去實現一些自己連自己做夢也意想不到的事。

If we could just release this fear of the unknown,
we would have boundless courage to accomplish the unimaginable.

-Royston Tan


[Second Piece]

現在我終於知道
為甚麼為理想飛得高
卻迷失塵世中
標榜地老天荒得紛擾
到頭來你不假思索的擁抱
證明還是你最好

Only now do I realize
In pursuit of my dreams
I become lost and bound by worldly fetters
Eventually, your unconditional embrace shows
You are still the best

- Part of the lyrics from the song

[A small part of the sound track]
*I can't find the soundtrack!



我們將《小字條》送給每一個人，
希望借此給予一些鼓勵。
人生有時會面對挑戰，
但只要有勇氣，
有耐心，
就一定能走出逆境。

Little Note is our gift of encouragement to you.
Though life has its challenges,
courage and patience will lead you through it all.

-Venerable Sik Kwang Sheng



[Package of Little Note]

I didn't notice it was a Louts leaf until I took this picture.
Lotus is the signature in this show.

-

There were 5 unforgettable scene in this 12mins short film.

First was when the kid asked mum:
"Where will the fish go if it grows bigger"

Mum:
"Somewhere bigger."

-

Mum:
"Why ain't you in school?"

Son:
"Friends laughed that I'm fatherless."

Mum:
"Next time when they do it again, tell them you have a father."

*pointing at the heart

"It's located here."

-

The 2 little notes that her mum placed in his pocket and text books.
*不要怕
And the last note in the Louts Rice.
＊不後悔

-

Lastly

*Son bending the Lotus

Son:
"Why doesn't it breaks?"

Mum:
"Because it's hollow."

-

The story behind the Lotus is meaningful I believe.

Lotus is a symbol of spiritual resilience and purity,
as it is able to rise above the muddy water
and blossom untainted.

Like the Lotus flower,
may we receive our nourishment from wherever we are,
by making the best of situations.
May all blossom with compassion and wisdom.

- Jesmen

荷花, 又稱作蓮花。
由於出污泥而不染的特質，
它象徵精神上的堅貞不移和純潔無暇。

願我們如荷花一般，
無論生在何處境，
都能盡全力，
從而滋養我們的人生。
願你我的人綻放慈悲與智慧的光彩。

*This short film is only available in DVD
MUST WATCH!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

The Dash

The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Mob At Raffles Place

This is somewhat cool and it's juz exactly like what I saw on the Grand Central.
I'm looking forward to do such things soon.
Haha!