no comments..

You know, I really sympathize with people meeting with mishaps while serving national service. We had seen like 4 major ones reported in The Straits Times since 2008? Of course there are other incidents that I am sure were not reported but never mind.

I hate National Service. When I started BMT, I thought, "yes we must defend our country! My life for Singapore!" As time went by and I spent most of it doing nothing, feeling stupid and last but not least waiting, my opinion changed drastically of course.

After reading about the latest incident(the storeman one), I got annoyed enough to type this post.

According to the newspaper report, so-and-so Sergeant Major said duty personnel can go to rest at 5pm or something like that, so therefore the person is not considered working when the accident happened. I mean seriously, most of the things are so messed up in the army I have even worked from 7am to 12 midnight before. So if I get knocked down by a rover at 12 midnight they are not going to pay for my hospital bill? Of course there was this other statement from the other guy that the storemen were ordered to work from 8am to 6pm, which obviously is the truth.


Then we have the incidents of people running and dying suddenly. We have to come to accept the fact that not everyone is physically-able. Not everyone is like LOOK-AT-ME-I-AM-SO-MANLY-I-CAN-RUN-FOREVER-AND-NOT-SLEEP. Everyone is genetically different. In the reports that I have read(if I recall correctly), most of these incidents happen despite stringent safety guidelines which include most importantly SEVEN HOURS OF SLEEP. In my 3 months at BMTC, I am quite sure only less than 7 days out of like maybe 80 days I have 7 hours of sleep.


Now, what is really irking me is that, if you paper pushers want to make guidelines, at least STICK TO THEM. Or admit to the public that your guidelines are NOT BEING FOLLOWED? What is the use of all the nicely printed Arial size 12 black font bullet point safety guidelines Word documents if YOUR GUIDELINES ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED?


I don't really care if I have 7 hours of sleep, because I know I am fit. How about the 1% of the cohort? At risk of death/accidents all the time?


Oh you know, here is a typical scenario during my BMTC.

11pm : Some guy giving debrief
11.15pm: Go up fight to shower hurry clean stuff brush teeth
12midnight: Fall asleep

5.45am: Wake up brush teeth
6am: Breakfast
6.30am: Area cleaning
7am: Start of first activity

Some guy: "Physical training now.. you guys had seven hours of sleep?"

Everyone starts to count. Even if one does not shower, there isn't 7 hours. Speaking of which, someone in my platoon actually said yes because he clocked 6hr30min(close to 7) of sleep. I never stood anywhere near him again. But thats besides the point.

Everyone: "No?"

Some guy: "Okay good all of you had 7 hours of sleep we can begin."


Okay let's see.. ahh my mind is under attack! Save me someone! No not that phrase! Oh noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo..




Ok this won the battle in my mind. Epitome of retardedness. It had a close battle with "Overly-used statement by witless people who think they are really funny."

Ask ANYONE who went through army whether this happened to them. I know their answers already.

1) Everyone is fundamentally good and kind at heart. Everyone deserves a chance, help and time. No I don't think I am naive. I am not foolish either.

2) If there is an argument, always trace back to the original cause. If A insults B, B insults A back, C tries to mediate between A and B but D disagrees with C and starts to argue with C... the fault obviously lies with A. I firmly believe that whoever starts the mess should be the one responsible. It is only logical.

3) Never believe that one is totally right. Always find fault with oneself first. I do that all the time. When I get scolded I go through the thought process of what I did wrong. But obviously sometimes I don't get what I did wrong(this is when 1) comes in, the trust and hope that people put in you) but I do go through the thought process. If there is even a possibility that part of the fault belongs to me, I will apologize. I can swear that I do this all the time.

4) Never do low blows. If there is a conflict in perspectives, no matter if you think you are right and you think the person is wrong (because that is probably what the other person is thinking too), never strike a low blow. Suck it in, walk away from it calmly. This is why there is such a thing called "opinions." Not everyone can be of the same mind regarding everything. However, opinions are just opinions. There is no malice in thinking differently from others. If you are arguing with someone, never strike a low blow too. Reason things out. Things will work out. Believe in 1).


Now the question is, why am I putting up this post? I have been in a few arguments recently. If you happen to be reading this, maybe you can execute 1) and tell me what is wrong with my beliefs.

Anyway yeah I know its damn uncool to blog nowadays.. the in thing is writing notes on facebook but oh well..

Well someone said I wasn't updating my blog regularly so here is a new post. Food for thought.


I am not really a present kind of guy - I have almost never gave any presents before and I really don't expect anyone to give me any for my birthday or any other occasion(thanks to those who did anyway). However, many judge the sincerity of the other party by the presents/cards that he/she gives. Which is really ridiculous. Why? That's because anyone can just spend 10 minutes drawing up a very nice card with a touching message for you(http://www.google.com.sg/search?hl=en&q=touching+message&meta=) and spend 100 bucks (money is so immaterial) to get you a wonderful present to sweep you off your feet. However, to treat the other party nicely and help wherever and whenever possible requires much more than 10minutes and an expensive gift. Very much more.


Time and dedication are so under-valued these days.

.. i n f e r i o r

Okay since I am quite bored and its 1.40am which means I probably won't be able to fall asleep yet.. I shall do a post. Do a post? I think I am too influenced by French and Italian. It is a good thing though.


Subject: DOTA

There are like 1000000 kids playing DOTA seriously. They make comments like "u suck" and "noob!!" after they win the game. I mean, do they really need to say these things? According to my psychology textbook and common sense, this happens when..

1) These people have failed most of the stuff they do in real life. Hence the need to boost their egos and actually feel that they are superior than other people in something. The sense of achievement of winning a dota game is magnified ten-fold for them.

2) They are just immature, regardless of age. I am quite sure there are 20 year olds still doing this sort of thing. Just to get a kick out of doing it.


Besides this, there are other annoying people from DOTA. You can easily tell if someone is adequately-educated.. or not. People who make comments like..

1) "u noob! y didnt u do this and that!"

2) "ur damn stupid cant u tell that will happen?"

I mean seriously, if you're matured and educated enough, you will never call someone else stupid, especially your teammate, in his/her face. Furthermore, these people obviously don't possess team spirit/awareness which enhances my point that they are not educated enough(no projects in lower-tiered schools). I would like to point out that I do know a few great guys who aren't very educated but are very matured and know how to carry themselves.


Oh I am not writing this because something similar happened to me. I am usually too good and pwning people (haha right.. okay I am just not that lousy). Just felt like posting something.

So we walked into the room all prepared for the french oral exam. We did last minute changes and stuff. The exam started. We started on the prepared conversation. You kept staring into my eyes. I lost track of what I was supposed to say. I had to break eye contact. It felt like I was getting sucked into your world. It was a good feeling.


I will always remember.