The Nostalgia of Zelda

One of the first games I played on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was Super Mario Bros, which came together with the console as a bundle. It was bought in Bukit Timah Plaza and the shop space is now selling totally something else. This was more than 25 years ago of course. 

The other game which I will remember fondly is Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The cartridge was in pretty shiny gold and it cost a hefty $79. Back then, $80 is a lot and too much for a video game.

But for some reason, we were allowed to buy that and even more amazing is I spent hours and hours on it trying to beat a game which a review put that game as (different and with brutal difficulty). I did beat it, of course, along with all other games I ever owned (which was not a lot anyway) on the NES. But this game has a special place in my heart. I loved it.

Despite less than stellar reviews (and I can certainly see why), it was a game that challenged my thoughts and motor skills. This was about the late 80s.

Fast forward 30 years, I bought the same game, online, for $6. It was through the e-store of my Nintendo 3DS. And for a couple of hours last night, I was pounding the digital foes and feeling all the wonderful warmth generated by nostalgia to those carefree years.

I slept well.

Thanks, Link.

Funan

I may have just visited this old place for the last time on Thursday (5th May), before it’s renovation starting from June for 3 years. What did I buy? Printer ink for the officer injket/fax and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest for the 3DS, not that I should be buying more stuffs anyway but that discounted headphone was really tempting.

I have some “affectionate” memories of Funan. Back in early 90s, when I was about a freshman in Ngee Ann Poly, and arcade centres were just about the most common thing in Singapore, I was a frequent visitor to Funan. Not a lot of place elsewhere had this big ass arcade machine which had Virtua Fighter, at $1 a go. I also made some friends who were also Virtua Fighter players. In a way, it molded me socially. “Challenge?”. I even had McD with couple of them during our play breaks.

The McD of Funan is now Old Street Bah Kut Teh. The arcade centre was located right at the top floor, before Challenger took the floor space over and offered 24 hour shopping before deciding that Singaporeans were generally not that nocturnal then for them to do that. They are still there and even as this writing, they are offering discounts for the goods they are too lazy to move out for the renovation.

I wish I remembered more of Funan now that I know its going to be torn down. But then again, most of my IT shopping were done at Sim Lim Square anyway. I guess Funan for me, will be remembered in this very unique way. 

Excitement

What gets me excited?

1) News of scientific breakthroughs or discoveries.

2) Videos of gaming excellence. 

3) Road trips in unfamiliar territories.

4) Fried chicken.

Big Revelation

In one of the episodes of Big History on the History Channel, it was noted that the cellphones we used today would not be possible if not for, the minerals available from various parts of the world, the electromagnetic waves and even the tragedy of the Titanic.

This is somewhat jaw mind-blowing for me because we all know the Titanic story fairly well, thanks for a movie in the late 90s. But aside from the lives lost, it also brought to light the fact that wireless communication was at that time, flawed. This paved the way of wireless communication as we know it today. 

It hit me.

We always see things in a limited perspective. That is because we can't always be able to have the retro perspective. We always think of ourselves and how God and life is so unfair to some of us. 

If only we can see the big picture ...

Failure is a Necessity in Life

As one grows older, failure becomes more and more "unacceptable". And society as a whole does not help those who failed. And without help and encouragement, quitting seemed easier. "Fight another day." but we all know too well that another day will not come.

This is true of me. I fail too often than I care for. Maybe I am too critical of myself. Maybe I suck. But its not whether we fail or not. Its whether we quit or not. 

About 2 hours ago, I was working on a code which has stumped me for days. Days, because I stopped looking at it every time I hit a road block and went off to do something else. In the morning, I decided that I want to get it done before I turn in for the night and at about 9pm, I was thinking I have made a bad bet against myself. 

I then decide that I will "Fight, but at another hour.". I put on my shoes and went for a slow jog/walk. Came back, cooled off and continued with it. 2 hours later before the stroke of midnight, I solved it!

Elated. Satisfied. Inspired.

It is important to get results. But the process will be remembered when I know I persevered.

Good Friday

Everyone loves Good Friday in Singapore. For Christians, we remember the sacrifice our Lord made for us 2000 years ago, being nailed on the cross and all. And we celebrate his resurrection on Sunday.

For non-believers, its a guaranteed long weekend and a good time to go for a break and/or to catch up on rest and watch some DOTS. K drama fans know what I am talking about.

Different countries have different way to celebrate the day. The obvious one is the easter bunny and the candies associated with it. Philippines observe the day with actual crucifixion!

One of the man doing it said that he made a pact with God, if he gets what he wished for, he will remember this day by getting himself flogged and nailed on the cross as thanksgiving and payback.

What? I am not sure if this is the God I put my faith in.

First, why test God? Did not Jesus himself said not to test God in the scriptures (Matthew 4:7)? God did not create you to do your bidding. So I don’t think giving God the “If you do this, I will do that” thing works with him. I am glad to know you turned to God with your needs but arm-twisting is where I draw a huge thick line.

Second, I would imagine an almighty and merciful God would not want you to abuse his creation like that. We are stewards of all things on earth including the physical body we have. I would really think self abuse and calling it thanksgiving is a bit of a blasphemy. If you want to do it just so that you feel better about it then I think its really your choice. But please don’t go round telling people what you do pleases God. 

But of course, who am I to judge what you do although I can sure blog my thoughts about these.

I thank our Lord for the day and the weekend. And I won’t feel bad buying easter eggs to munch on. Already I am having a better Friday.

Cheap Stuffs Are Not Worth It

Absolutely bad experience with Direct Asia Insurance. But I guess there is no such thing as cheap and good. 1) Website could have been better. Did the guys who tested it actually bought insurance from the company? Maybe. But please ask the general public to kind of test it too. I missed out so much information.

2) The customer service is hit/miss. She did not 100% know her stuffs but I was not really looking for that too. She had to put me on hold couple times to check things through. My case is unique perhaps? I like to think not but perhaps. The quality of the voice call was crap. Could not hear her half the time. Internet voice to save money? Miss.

3) I have learnt today that private use of vehicle does not include driving to work. So if I drive and park somewhere near my work place and walk, can I argue that I used the car privately but then since work place so near, I may as well put in some hours? But then again its just a saving of $40, over a year. Don't need to get my "panties in a wad" over this.

Not just insurance, cheap stuffs does not necessarily mean good stuffs. And vice-versa. Question is, what are you risking. Caveat, man.

Marriage Breakthrough Weekend, by CEFC Singapore

People generally are reactive. Only when things happen then we do something about it. Nobody in their right mind and free time wants to think about whether if anything has any potential to happen in a “bad” way.

We signed up for the March 2016 edition of the Marriage Breakthrough Weekend not because we think we needed help, but we wanted to make our 10th year significant. But, we had been on the rocks. And we were really rocking it, in the negative sense. Right up to 15 minutes before departure for our venue, I was still sure that we would not be attending the event. The night before, I was throwing tantrums like a big kid who haven’t had his milk for days. But unlike big kids, I can feed myself and so I ordered a nice ribeye from Astons in Bukit Batok. Yummy!

In the end my spirit managed to tell my flesh to pack my bags, and off we drove towards JB, the land of cheap and nicely seasoned local food. 

Of course the powers that be would want to throw in some wrench into the plans. On the way to the customs, my brother informed me that he got into an chain accident where he was the last car and the other cars involved were taxis. Only way this accident could be worse is someone was injured from this. In any case, I filtered all these distractions and decided that I want to meet God, in JB, with fellow married Christian couples, who were looking for breakthroughs in the marriages (or church membership) as well.

The format is generally the same as Men’s Breakthrough Weekend. Plenaries, couples sharing their testimonies/stories, group activities and all you can eat buffet! The things that stand out are, there are couple activities like the feet washing, amateur dance lessons and candlelight dinner. 

The feet washing is definitely a humbling experience. Washing your spouse’s feet is easy by comparison. Imagine a foot with probably fungal infections, caked with mud and covered with dust. That’s the kind of feet we were probably dealing with back in the biblical times. Its still a relevant gesture in the modern times, as it really demonstrated the love and care for another.

The dance lessons made us discovered that we could probably enjoy an occasional dance. It really brings us closer and the connection is definitely better in a romantic setting. But I think at this point for me, I won’t enjoy it on a regular basis and I will probably feel more frustrated learning because I don’t have a good rhythm and pace. But who knows? Maybe we will do it more often on an amateur level. Something we can do together as a couple apart of the usual movies, exercise, etc.

The candlelight dinner was somewhat disappointing as in, we expected to have some time with each other to talk and discuss about our issues and or the thoughts about the plenaries and sharing from the 2 days before that. However, private time was short and I guess the committee would rather fill the time with more couple activities. Like tying a length of small rope to a coin. And making sure it still holds despite vigorous shaking. 

Generally, this is an excellent “getaway” and “enlightenment”. Get away from your crowded lives and enlighten yourself with testimonies and sharing that you would have to pay some money to get from books and videos. Marriage breakthrough and realignment, guaranteed. That is, if you are not as concerned with church membership.

HELP!!!

After a couple of days of advertising on an online job listing platform, help came in the form of a 27 yo Singaporean guy who is experienced in F&B in various capacities. Bottomline, thank God for the prompt reply!

So far, its been good! But something tells me I have to be more involved.

Still Nocturnal

The festive holidays have not been of help. So far.

Off My Burning Chest

February, First. Time flies. Looking back, it has been a relatively crazy month. So many major stuffs happened that on retrospect, it didn’t seem like the time was fast. Perspectives are very important.

Mid-life crisis

This phenomenon seems to be as realistic as psychologists call it. I am beginning to feel that its getting the better of me. But I am not beaten. Its a very conscious effort but I know that God is watching out for me. And whatever that’s going on in the natural world, its very helpful in character building.

Sleep
Some people need 10 hours. Some can do with 6 and some others can survive on 4. The best of us has determined that the average is 8 hours or a third of your day. I remember reading somewhere that someone said that he wishes he can skip sleep and be productive instead. I remember I agreed with that. But, I am an average person. But, I sleep like as though I am a super. And now during the day, I feel like a stupor. We need the 8 hours, to be productive for the rest of the 16.

Motorcycle

Its 2 months exactly since I passed by 2B and almost a month since I have gotten the FZ16. In another 10 months’ time, I will be going back to BBDC again to register for 2A.

During the nights of riding, I am also slowly discovering why riders behave the way they do on the roads. And also discover myself as a driver and rider.

I consider myself as a thrill seeker. But I am also in my 40s with 20 years of driving. which means the 20 year olds will be giggling, “Thrill seeker? You?” in my face. I think I am at a point of my life when I no longer seek risky thrills. I am those take a roller coaster but make sure I don’t drop my keys and will use all the seat belts if available.

Also, I use the rear view mirror a lot. Much more than the sides. And as a rider, I am so “blind”. I know there are now technology that helps with this handicap but I think all riders should learn to adapt with the 2 sides, at least for me.

JB Getaway aka "Marriage Renaissance"

I am hoping. In our 10th year of marriage, things seem to be rockier. But I am willing to believe we are rocking our foundation which was probably weak already. And now that the cracks are showing, we can start to do the mends.

I am hoping this little getaway which we are both gleefully looking forward to will do wonders for our selves and our union.

Bye Bye

I have just kicked the stall “help”, yesterday, thus throwing my life in “disarray” and “uncertainty”. But I have faith, that this is necessary for me to decide that changes are needed. That I need to be more proactive with things. On retrospect, I do admit I am too passive on this and could have been a better “mentor" to a young man trying to learn the society as a whole. But I guess this burden is no longer mine to bear but at least I know the next time this opportunity knocks again, I will know what I need to do. Proactive is lesson learned.

Peripherals

Computer mouse. I just bought yet another Razer. Razer Orichi. I am a sucker for computer mice. I have a few of them lying around in the house and although they are not causing problems like the real mice, they are cluttering up the drawers. Why do I have such a “fetish”? I don’t quite understand it too. I just have a thing for them. The previous ones are not even fully dead yet and I am already dreaming of owning the next. Yes, I am weird.

God, I am a human being. Created, loved, forgiven, blessed. Thank You, very much.

Not Nocturnal

Was finally able to sleep through the night, except for toilet runs.

Good!! Except no riding-in-the-wind. But its ok. I feel better physically already. I am not a night person.

It has been fun ...

... but I think the night rides are over. I really need to get my routine back.

Insomnia

is not as scary if, I make the hours productive. Not exactly insomnia anyway. More like topsy turvy lifestyle. Maybe I can adjust again when the CNY break comes.

Wind, Never Felt So Free

Was I nervous? You bet. Suffering from a bout of flu and sleeplessness despite medications that induces drowsiness. But I decided to use my instinct and my experience as a class 3 driver. And I made it without any incident.

Am I ready for more? Yes! But not before some bike servicing to ensure road worthiness and peace of mind.

All these came with a price, though. Lonely nights.

Wind. Free, and bitter.

Trash

Recently, I find myself feeling a bit uneasy putting all my waste in a single waste basket/disposal bag. But I have been doing this for a long time, so why would I feel bad about that, now?

The world is generating a lot of trash. And some of these trash are actually recyclables. Not referring to waste food gone bad or some other stuffs which are broken beyond rescue, but there are things which are in perfect working condition which may be passed on to others who may need them much more.

We visited Taiwan and Japan relatively recently. Both of these countries separate their trash. Compost, paper and plastics something like that. We were caught a little off guard and had trouble deciding what goes where for awhile. But I reckon if you stay there and/or do this often enough, you will get used to it and Earth as a whole will thank you for making the effort.

I am wondering if there is some initiative to help people generate less waste, be it passing on their unwanted or simply separating trash. 

Can't help but to now also salute the sanitation workers of the world.