Something to Cheer Up About 2/13/2007 09:43:00 AM

First, I’ve gotten another job interview last Thursday. Of course, it doesn’t guarantee that I’ll get the job. But at least it’s giving me the confidence that I’m capable of convincing people of my capability (through my resume) of sorts.

Second, my friends have passed their oral comprehensive test which means they’ll be graduated next month. Good job, mate!

Third, Manchester United is standing strong on top of the Premiership table. Not that I don’t think about the debt problem or the fact that Old Trafford seems to grow quieter (in terms of the voice of support, not the number of crowds) these days. But I don’t what to think about it just now.

Fourth, my favorite fanfic has been updated after a month. It’s just getting better and better. I wish there won’t be any main characters death (like in the original work) this time, though.

Fifth, HanaDan’s second season has been aired. There’s still some (a lot of) time until it’s finished (it only got to the second episode in Japan) and more time until those lovely people who care to fansub the drama (love you, guys!!!) and another extra time until I can watch it here in my country. But I can wait.

Sixth, I’ll gather with my pals this weekend. You know just how precious those moments you’ve shared with your friends once you’re separated from them. That’s why I’m looking forward to it and eagerly waiting for it with anticipation.

Seventh, I’ve got some translation work. It’s not easy (you get to appreciate professional translation more after you realize just how difficult their job really is), but hey, I’m not doing it for free ;p.

Eighth, “The King” has finally awakened. Some character development for Fay-san in the near future, hopefully. Not to mention the cover of Chapter 141 could make any fangirl (including myself) scream in delight. (Yeah, I know I’m obsessed)

Amidst all the misery in this world, it’s good to still be able to cheer up about something. ‘Ja ne!

Harry Potter: The End of His Story 1/04/2007 01:21:00 PM

Yes, it’s official. J. K. Rowling had announced that the last installment of Harry Potter series would be entitled “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”. Just as expected, fans everywhere greets it with excitement: chat-rooms and forums being crowded by people posting their view on it, in depth analyses of the title in the form of essays being published online, obsessed teenage fans debating over whether Dan Radcliffe should’ve kissed the girl who played Cho Chang in the next Harry Potter movie or not.... Erm, yes, those are the things people do in anticipation of the next Potter book, except for the last one--which is absolutely irrelevant--regardless of the fact that some obsessed teenage fans (of Dan Radcliffe, I suppose) really DO debate over the matter.

Prior to the announcement, I was convinced that the story wouldn’t end with Harry’s death. Now, I’m not so sure anymore. It’s not so much because of the seventh book’s title or Ms. Rowling’s statement (saying that she would go through a “mourning period” before starting her next work). I mean, having “Deadly Hallows” on its’ title doesn’t mean that the leading man will end up dead and any writer will mourn when they finally wrap up a project they’ve been doing for ten years or so (just like Ms. Rowling does).

Of course, I wouldn’t bet my life on it. After all, it’s only a gut feeling. To find out whether Harry will be dead or not, we just have to wait until the book is at stores--only God and Ms. Rowling know when it will be. Regardless of how Book Seven will end up, I’m sure I’ll enjoy every part of it.

Pluto and the Quest for Truth 12/25/2006 04:37:00 PM

The exclusion of Pluto from the category of planet might not be as controversial as Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Doubtful it would bring as much influence as Newton’s Mechanics or Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. However, reaction against the decision is pretty sound, whether from inside or outside the scientific community. Some claims it “the scientific blunder of the century”, “Pluto should be put where it was”, “a blasphemy to the discoverer”, etc.

Scientists make new discoveries and come up with new explanations on a regular basis. Most of them don’t even close to invite untoward reaction like Pluto exclusion does. Perhaps, it’s because accepting new ways to do or understand something is not that hard, when it only concerns on “worldly” affairs like most of them are.

However, when it comes to something colossal and beyond us like planets, things become more difficult to comprehend. I mean, how can you say that this big round thingy that floating in outer space is a planet and the next day suddenly you declare it a planet no more? THAT is difficult to comprehend. I wonder, did people show similar reaction when scientists excluded fungi from the plant kingdom and decided to give them a place of their own?

But probably, the most disturbing thing is the fact that those astronomers actually made a vote to resolve upon the subject. Imagine that. Now, the cold harsh truth.

Scientific community, just like any other communities, operates on social contract. If the majority accepts slavery, then slavery is tolerated. If the majority thinks the earth is flat, then it’s flat. Get my point?

We all love to picture scientists as intelligent, neutral, and logical people who based their opinion on facts instead of emotional considerations. Unfortunately, they’re just as human as we are. There’s an interesting story about it.

Have you ever heard the term “continental drift”? It’s a wide-known idea nowadays; that the continents are, instead of being rigid bodies, indeed moving. The first person who made a comprehensive suggestion about the idea was German meteorologist Alfred Lother Wegener in 1915. The theory has been scientifically proven right in the 1960’s and since then, has been widely accepted.

However, Wegener’s idea on continental drift (the phenomenon was yet to be called “continental drift” back then) was rejected vehemently. Geologist everywhere thought the idea was absurd--no person with the right mind could come up with such ridiculous idea like that. Of course, there’s the problem that Wegener was a meteorologist and the geologists were quite offended by the fact that an outsider like him dared to cross to their domain. So much for the objectivity!

The fact is, scientific truth is not the ultimate truth. Considering our limited knowledge of the world, no wonder we always make mistakes every now and then. What we always keep in mind is that science is capable of providing a more thorough understanding of the world, but never the true nature of the world itself.

The wisest words I’ve ever heard upon the matter is: Even though the way people perceive reality has changed, the reality itself remains the same. If there’s such thing as reality, but that’s another deal. It means, even if Pluto isn’t considered a planet anymore--Pluto remains as Pluto. The big spherical thingy that floats (not float, actually; but the technical explanation would be too much to mention here) in the outer space.

Author’s Note: Gah, finally! After a month and so I’ve managed to finish this. As usual, critics are welcomed and flames.... Well, if you flame me, it means that you’re just not articulate enough to give constructive criticism. Ciao!

Sorry, Sorry, Sorry 12/10/2006 08:16:00 PM

I've been posting nothing for like, what, a month? Sorry for that. Of course, nobody would care anyway if I updated or not except for myself; but still, I feel like I have to apologize for not updating, at least to myself.

I WILL update this blog next week. That's a promise. Alright?

The Man with Many Faces 10/30/2006 04:30:00 PM

As a fiction freak, there are two types of character that I dislike in general: the super perfect and pure evil characters. Fortunately, no good writer ever portrays such character in their stories (those who did, didn’t have a good story to begin with and therefore isn’t worth to read anyway). Considering the fact, I should’ve been suspicious when encountering the super perfect Syaoran in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (his bratty self from Card Captor Sakura was nowhere to be found). There must’ve been something “wrong” with the guy, which (un)surprisingly was the case; but it’s not to be mentioned here.

In terms of enjoyment of reading, super perfect and pure evil characters are boring; which is why I don’t like them. A character who laughs manically as he destroys anything for no particular reason throughout the story is so annoying that you want him to be got rid of as soon as possible. On the contrary, the perfect guy who smiles all the way as he saves a damsel in distress (or whoever it might be) makes you want to puke that you want the story to end immediately.

Personal sentiment aside, there’s a reason why those type of characters are so unappealing. I’ve realized some time ago that it’s always the story which I can relate to that I like best. The same rationale is applied to any characters found in them. There’s no such thing as super perfect or pure evil person. A person would always have some flaws in him, no matter how good he is; and if a person is “bad”, there must’ve been something that led him to become the way he is.

Super perfect and pure evil characters are unrealistic (not unrealistic per se; but it would be too complicated to discuss it here) and it’s difficult to relate them with real life characters (because they didn’t exist in real life); that’s why I dislike them.

Human is too complex to be categorized into two distinctive classification of good and evil. Someone might do things we perceive as “evil” or “bad”, but it doesn’t automatically make them a bad person. What is undoubtedly evil is the deed, not the person himself.

My psychology teacher once said that everyone has many faces and masks. Encountering different circumstances, we wear different masks. Along with the different masks, come different “personalities” to wear. To make it simple, consider this. Would you act differently or the same in front of your family and your long-time crush? The answer most likely be no, I’m sure. In front of your long-time crush, you’d probably act all nice and sweet, and very cautious not to show any of the qualities which you bear in mind as flaws. I don’t think that kind of awareness is present when you’re among family members or close friends, though.

In the end of the day, probably none of us is (purely) good or evil. Indeed, it’s not just those who have split personalities that have many faces. We all are.

(The Lack of) Separation Anxiety 10/14/2006 11:12:00 AM

As the title suggests, this piece shares somewhat similar theme with my previous post. How uncreative I am! However, since it’s the only thing that constantly hung over my head these days--it just has to suffice. For now.

In the aftermath of our class gathering two days ago, a friend of mine pointed out the sadness she felt when contemplating about our togetherness due to the fact that we’ll soon no longer be together; because we’re about to go separate ways. Normal response anyone would show under the circumstances.

Here’s the “funny” part. I don’t even feel remotely sad about either remembering the past, or separating.

It’s probably because I’ll still be around (campus) until the end of the year. With that in mind, it’s very likely that I (subconsciously) don’t consider myself being separated from my friends at all. You know, because the campus is a physical representation of many fond memories (and because some of my friends will still be spending some time in the campus as well).

On the other hand, I’ve been away from them (most of them, at least) for the last year; maybe not physically, but mentally and emotionally. So, being physically distant shouldn’t be a big of a deal because it will only be an extension of what has been.

Plus the realization that separation (and its’ consequences) is inevitable makes it useless brood over it anyway.

Of course, there’s also the possibility that the above explanations are total crap and I’m just a cold-hearted person to begin with. You decide.

Drifted Apart 10/02/2006 01:32:00 PM

Some time ago, I “met” an old friend from junior high on the net. She was one of just a few friends that I had, so it was great to finally find her after seven years of separation. Soon after the encounter, we planned a chat on Yahoo!Messenger to catch up with each other. This friend of mine was a kind and considerate person who always mingled with everyone, including a teenage reject like myself, but we hadn’t been THAT close to begin with. Despite that, we could always find a thing or two to talk about most of the time. So, when I realized that the “connection” we once had was gone the time we finally chatted, I couldn’t help feeling sad. I realized that we’d been drifted apart and I knew she realized it too.

It’s always sad when you have to separate from friends after so many things you’ve been together. But the realization that things will be different the next time you meet again is more heartbreaking. Each and every one of us will walk different paths in life. We’ll meet new people, encounter various experiences, put forth new priorities in life; in short, everyone changes.

Call me gloomy, but I’m only being rational here. That time with my friend just one of many examples, showing the inevitability of our drifting apart from those we once considered as friends. The next time you meet again, you may not find the same “connection” as it was. Despite that, it’s worthy to keep in mind that all the moments you’d shared with them were real (God, I sounded like Kinomoto Touya, didn’t I?). And the memory of those moments my friend; it sure is priceless.

Celebration of What? 9/15/2006 04:48:00 PM

I was born on September 12, 1983. Looking at the calendar, last Tuesday was supposed to be my 23rd birthday. When I was a kid, I considered birthday as the perfect time to ask some treats from my parents. Birthday was an acceptable excuse behind my wanting to be spoiled with presents and nice foods. Birthday, for me, has never been an important occasion when everybody is supposed to shower me with their attention. Doesn’t mean that I won’t accept birthday gifts if they’re shoved in front of my face, though ^_~.

But what so damn important about birthday anyway? Or any other form of anniversary and commemorative date for that matter? Actually, the date is insubstantial; the event is. For example, Americans celebrate their Independence Day every 4th of July. What are they celebrating: 4th of July or their independence from Britain? The (blatantly obvious) answer is the latter, of course. It’s far more practical to define a particular date of independence rather than saying, “Let’s celebrate our Independence Day every midsummer”.

The same rationale applied to birthday celebration. Why do you think people make such a fuss about 17th birthday? It’s simply because the age of seventeen marks one’s legal responsibilities (and rights) in the eyes of the law. You get your ID, are allowed to have a driver’s license, could do anything you wish without needing your parents consent, etc. On the other hand, people will be more reluctant to celebrate their birthday when they get older because it only reminds them that their time is ticking and less time left in the world (Oprah would’ve probably disagreed with that notion ^_^).

That’s why it’s laughable to see people get excited over New Year celebration. Are they excited because they get to change their old almanac with a new one? People celebrate New Year just for the sake of it, regardless the fact that it has no substance whatsoever.

One could claim that New Year is the perfect time to evaluate his past deeds and make new target which one wants to achieve in the near future (the infamous “New Year’s Resolution”, which is made to be broken most of the times). But if that’s just the case of making personal improvements, why wait until the earth evolves the sun one more time? Surely, the concept of “New Year” has been overly exaggerated. For all I know, we could’ve possibly celebrated New Year any other time in the year if only Pope Gregory (was it?) had another say on it.

Dreams Do Come True 8/18/2006 06:35:00 AM

It’s been a month since my last installment. I’m truly sorry for the delay. It’s just school work has been taking all my time and energy. Even right now, I’m supposed to be working on my final project report instead of writing this. But heck, I really need to write down something contemplative after a month of absence. So let’s just get on with the show, shall we?

Wish. It’s a topic which is very familiar to all CLAMP fans (obviously, I’m one of them) out there. After all, “wish” seems to be a prominent theme in many of their works. Kamui ‘s wish to bring the old Fuuma back (or so he thought), Kohaku’s wish to live happily with its(!) beloved, Clow’s wish to become not the greatest wizard in the world, Watanuki’s wish to get rid of his spirit attracting ability, the list goes on and on. Wish is something that I’m often taking into consideration one of these days. Not just because of my obsession for CLAMP stories, but given the state I’m in, it’s really inevitable.

Comprehensive test is coming later this month and if I pass it (amen for that), I’ll be graduated on November. At this point, I can’t help thinking about the past AND the future: thinking about my childhood dreams and the choices that need to be made in the near future. And I realize, what I’m doing now has nothing to do with my past hopes/dreams/wishes.

How many movies, books, and songs which bring the topic of “fulfilling your wishes” or “following your dreams”? There are tons of them. It never gets rusty though, because most people decide to do exactly the opposite. We wish for the impossible when we were kids. Of course, it was not impossible back then, but it seems to be impossible now when we’re already grown up.

That’s why most people seem to know what they don’t want to do but have no clue whatsoever about what they want to do. It’s because they choose to forget their past wishes instead of making them come true. As a consequence, they just drift through life and let it takes them wherever it might be going. Or as one of my friends brutally said, those people are lost and they don’t even realize it.

Realizing your real wish is such a great gift. But if you don’t have the guts to make it come true, it’s meaningless. It certainly is the harder part of the two. For example, if I want to make my wish come true, which is to know more about people’s life all around the world at past and present times, I must choose a path completely different from what I was prepared to at college. I must work harder to catch up my lack of qualifications, I must convince my parents, I must try to show my point to people who doesn’t understand, et cetera. It’s certainly a more difficult choice compared to working in a pharmaceutical business like everybody else.

It’s the silly wishes that make the world goes round, though. Could you imagine how it would be today if men had never wished to find a more practical approach to fulfill their needs instead of the usual hunting and gathering? Had never wished to fly in the sky? People don’t get anywhere by following common views and way of life just for the sake of it, that’s for sure. I don’t expect to make that much of an impact for humanity, just making out something out of my own life. By reaching out for my wish.

Follow the Sight 7/23/2006 08:10:00 PM

Earthquake hit my country again today. That’s the third time in a week. It also marked a series of earthquake which started in 2004; two of them were also followed by tsunami. There’s a concern amongst the people that it might not be the last one: a bigger and more disastrous earthquake are possibly on its’ way. What do people do to confirm (or refute, although people seem to be more thrilled if it’s proven right rather than wrong) their concern then? Surprise, surprise, they consult the psychic.

Despite being in a modern era, professional psychics always manage to attract costumers. In fact, a lot of their costumers are well-educated; the type of people that you would least expected to believe in anything remotely “paranormal”. Trust the psychic to give you all sorts of advice: health, romance, financial, career, you name it!

But what it is that makes all the hocus-pocus so appealing? Why do people turn to them in times of needs?

Thinking logically makes it easier for us to understand how nature works. Through this understanding, we’ll be able to “exploit” nature to make our daily activities easier and more comfortable. However, being logical and believing scientific truth all the time is hardly a choice for most people. Logic and science are alien compared to the traditional practices that had run for generations. These practices might not be logical (or “socially acceptable”, for that matter), but they’re more “down to earth” and less “cocky”.

As much as I hate to point fingers, it’s quite obvious that the intellectuals are the ones who are mostly responsible for this sentiment. There’s a pretty good example of that statement. Instead of trying to make his/her patient understand about their illness, a doctor is keener on spitting out all medical terms he can muster. Of course, the best response one could expect from the patient is confusion. The point is, not many intellectual bother to transfer their knowledge with a “language” which would be comprehensible for the public. As a result, science and stuff become more alien and slightly scary for most people.

Considering that humans have the tendency to ignore things alien and scary, no wonder people ignore the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency’s statement that earthquake is unpredictable. On the contrary, they choose to trust the psychic’s premonition of incoming earthquake and even spread text messages to let people know about it. Ah, well!