The trappings of the mind!!!

Review of Le Marche de Emperor (March of the Penguins).

Likes
1) Hallmark factual documentary on Penguin's mating season.
2) Showed the fact that Penguins behave in a similar fashion to humans. The viewer can empathise with the feelings of the animals.
3) Showed examples of reproductive successes and failures
4) Showed that Penguines are also prone to emotions (e.g. grief, joy of freedom)


Disliked
1) New-age lyrical music gives me the goosebumps.
2) Portrays Penguins' reproductive journey as quasi-religious, (which may for a fact be true).
3) The artificial scripts can be too imaginative sometimes.
4) Penguins' cry reminiscent of "The Call of the Ktulu" (Don't read that book.)


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The Cola Wars (Modern Marvels)

http://www.surfthechannel.com/info/documentaries/Modern_Marvels/69139/13x43+The+Cola+Wars.html?aid=73911


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Sometimes, I will have this unspeakable urge to write, because of the inability to convey my thoughts to anyone. My thoughts are always inadequate on the subject or incoherent to form a whole. And I know I seldom win in arguments, unless I have a deep conviction that I am right.

Oh Stranger, ignore the last three emo sentences addressed to thin air - myself.

WALL-E, the foolish robot falls for EVE. And is giving me a hard time playing the movie companion on my PSP. The scrap-collecting robot scoops up thrash, and compresses them into "junk-cubes". The junk cubes are stacked into towers. This in perspective, is hardly environmental-friendly, as the junk to be sorted is not returned back to the earth. Hence the desert wasteland, sandstorms. The name BNL (By 'n Large) Corporation which employs WALL-E robots, has an apt name for handling by-products and Bulky waste. At the rate we're using stuff, this is am ugly future we can anticipate

PALM OIL KILLS CHIMPS.. I'm seriously missing the environmental activist.

and Red Cliff is a good movie. I'm going to expand this post if I have time...

Local Bands/Talent I endorse:

Max Shanti
The Observatory
Leslie Low
The Great Spy Experiment
Joi Tsai (the butterfly sung)

Electrico (I've only heard a few songs)

Allegiance to myself

The other day I was just ranting about the Christian culture in Singapore. But I picked up a nugget in my subconscious mind that says, "no more". In which Jesus said to his disciple, who attacked the Roman soldiers, that there will be no more of this (bloodshed). The nugget has profound meaning in context that we can explore. To me, it means if you see evil being carried out, you will choose not to endorse it, and - going one step further - do everything in your power to bring about the triumph of good over evil.

Most of us have an idea what evil is. Satan is the embodiment of evil (ie. endorses evil deeds). To choose to sin (do bad deeds) is falling under the influence of evil. Satan is not something to be feared, but to be despised.

I relate to this while making my choices over matters. 21 years of age has increased the stakes and responsibilities over making choices. I hope this wisdom never leaves me, that I would still be in touch with God, or an inner sense of righteousness, in my darkest hour.

* * *

Videos that have reallly mind-f*ed me. The vulgar term we soldiers use, means playing with your mind. these are the life-changing videos that have been making me think about universal accountability.

1. The movie "Ironman"
2. www.storyofstuff.com
3. Youtube - Overfishing
4. TED's Silicon Valley CEO Global Warming talk
5. TED's British Scientist on Longevity (how to cure Ageing)
6. International Academy of Lymphology
7. Night talk with Dr Willie Smiths on Red Orangutans

I'm not fully buying some of this stuff. Because they have made me raise eyebrows many times.

I tried to recall the exclusive afternoon talk by Sydney Brenner 2 years ago... I'm sure I still have notes. That's all.

Arcangelo Corelli

CONCERTO GROSSO IN D, OP. 6/1 (3): LARGO
ORCH. OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT CATHERINE MACKINTOSH (c)


*Love* - the sombre intensity of that baroque violin piece... Listening to Symphony 92.4 FM is like falling in love many times over. (-: <3 The violin weeps pure emotion.


and follow-up to it:


Louis Spohr

DOUBLE QRT NO. 3 IN E MINOR, OP. 87 (2) ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN- I(N THE FIELDS)

wasn't half-bad. Justsounded like a suitable complement to the violin in the previous..


It becomes increasingly difficult for me to escape the trappings of my mind... Yet as the mind wanders astray, it only revolves around me in an orbit.. Was it ever necessary for one's relationship with God to be one of everlasting worship?

Young Christians seem to be enforcing their own assumptions about God, whom in their idea, is ever-pleased with their weekly tributes of hour-long rock concerts... It's increasingly difficult to accept the shades of gray in which they see as the norm; and the different personalities around you threatening to recruit you as one of them. I would imagine myself, surrounded by a huge strawberry jelly syrup. Although sweet it may be, and nutritious, once you are swallowed inside - you become one of them, another collective in the Jelly.

I can't deny the openness of my heart only tinges with suspicion, when the pastor makes us repeat stuff in a collective (frightening) manner - but well, proves that we are a social group and none of us is alone. It makes me kind of freaked o ut sometimes, but I know that I'm not losing myself. Hence, now, supposedly in line with my objectives, I'll set forth from my nest again, knowing that when I feel weak, I could always immerse myself in the nurturing environment of church. It's practical, but selfish of me.


I'm reading Chp 3 of The Food Revolution -- on the environment.

The Lonely One*

*Taken from TIME magazine

Dag Hammarskjöld was a man almost nobody knew. His diary, Markings, published three years after his death (TIME, Oct. 23, 1964), surprised even his close associates, for it showed that the brilliant economist, banker, and Secretary-General of the U.N. was a mystical man, unfathomed during his lifetime, constantly tortured by self-doubt and despair.

Divided Opinion

An assimilation of information from 1) people offering their opinions, 2) interviews with friends.

People who tell me they don't believe - that's your problem! Now, don't try to sway my opinion.

I suppose, if I have a lot of friends that believe, I would tend to think I'm not alone. But thanks to YT, who says, "Don't follow the crowd, you'd know better than that...." (in referral to my regret at studying a Diploma in Biotechnology, because the Minister recommended it) And I relate it to the pastor who mentioned the whispers in the crowd, that were driven from the amazement of Jesus' miracles. The question is, whether YT is part of the crowd, that I choose not to listen to. Perhaps my brother and those advising me to consider carefully taking up Christianity as my religion are the whispers in the crowd.

YT, it's almost unnatural, but sometimes, I wonder if I feel a rush of love for what you are doing for me. No matter how remote or minute your actions are, I am at least 50% under your influence. And you can say I trust you, not merely because we're friends, but because what you've revealed to me recently regarding saving our planet and environment - makes a whole lot of sense to me - and I feel it's only right for us, as stewards, to contribute not to the destruction of our planet, but provide upkeep, and promote the awareness of the state of our planet.

Not just YT though. My friend's mom, she's advising me on her multi-religious Buddhist cocktail spanning the prophets of various religions - i.e. Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed, Siddharta Bodhivista (that Buddha guy), Confucious, Mother Guan Yin - all being messengers of the same God. And hence there is still only one GOD, and Unright of Christians to claim God - or the biblical scriptures, fragments of God's word - for themself. And she's taught me several aspects of being vegetarian. That we can expect a more peaceful death in the coming. That the prayers you devote yourself in worship, are not needed, and do little, by being vaguely mystical, too mysterious.


A Vandread philosophy brought out the thought that: God doesn't want anything of us, we've been created by God because he loves us, not for us to make sacrifices in the form of offerings. I reflected in reality: "not for us to devote too much time to worship him. But to spend time to bear fruit."

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The culture of Youth Impact - Youth for Christ - is sporting and fun. I've just been called to attend one of their activities, that might last 8 hours. Now, Come to think of someone who's just taking their break from a mounting week. I am seeking some time for solace. I can't do this. Right now, I just want to say, I can't do this. Succumb to peer pressure, I may, this time. I'm just hoping that someone who cares is listening. If God won't listen, if Jesus Christ won't listen, I hope someone does.

7 days on duty, putting my duty @ first priority, taking in criticism and scathing criticism - I'm sick and tired of doing what I have to do. I need some quality me time.

I want to absorb the good qualities of others, and banish my vices. And that's maybe why I go to church.