I know the show's long over and the dust has since settled. Nevertheless this still makes for a good read - especially for the Literature students interested in hero myths and character build-ups...
How to Make a Monster: The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker
Screenwriter Robert Piluso carefully dissects the three Star Wars prequels and examines the devilish metamorphosis of Anakin Skywalker.
The literal meaning of the word “seduce” has nothing to do with steamy romance. “To seduce” originally meant “to lead one off the path.” And so it went that, as Alec Guinness told the world almost 40 years ago, “Vader was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force …”
The moral and righteous path of the Jedi, keepers of peace and order in the galaxy, was destined not to be the chosen way of “the most powerful Jedi ever,” Anakin Skywalker. Whatever you think of the prequels, it is undeniable that George Lucas took great pains (often at the expense of popularity) to render the seduction of Anakin Skywalker, culminating in his sinister metamorphosis into cinema’s most famous and feared villain, Darth Vader.
With Star Wars: Episodes I, II and III, whether we like it or not, the Bearded One teaches us how to make a monster …
ONE STORY: THREE ACTS, THREE MOVIES
A while back, when defending attacks on the quality of Episode I, Lucas explained that The Phantom Menace is only the first act of a larger story, and so it doesn’t make as much sense (that is: doesn’t seem as good) as it will when the other two films are viewed. Lucas has a point. Revisiting Episode I, clearly the foundations of Anakin’s character arc are laid, leading to the descent entailed in the following two films.
Preeminent mythologist Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) called George Lucas his “best student.” Campbell collected myths, folklore and legends from all cultures across all time, and deduced that there is a single, essential story that is told over and over again. This story is called “The Hero’s Cycle” or “the monomyth.” (For more on this, check out The Hero With a Thousand Faces.) Now, when Lucas was writing the original Star Wars, he consulted with Campbell about proper mythological content and structuring. The result, as we all know, was a phenomenal success.
How, then, could Lucas have written Episode I and Episode II in the way he did? How many of us wanted to ask, “Have you forgotten all Master Campbell taught you, young Padawan?” Well, while Star Wars stands alone fine as a motion picture, its story determined by the Hero Cycle, none of the prequels can stand alone.
And maybe we should be okay with that—take Episodes I, II and III as a singular, seven-hour space tragedy.
Lucas adheres to the monomyth, but what’s more impressive is that the quest is about the formation of a villain, not a hero. In Episode I we first hear “the prophecy of the one who is to bring balance to the Force.” All the Jedi are quite excited about this idea; it sounds like that for a thousand years they have awaited a savior, a “Chosen One,” “to destroy the Sith.”
The joke was on them.
In Episode III Yoda admits it is “a prophecy that misread could have been.” Yoda is right. Anakin does bring balance to the Force, but not in the way the Jedi expected. Through Anakin’s betrayal, he is directly or indirectly responsible for the deaths of every Jedi in the Republic … save two: Obi-Wan and Yoda. Furthermore, he has enabled the revenge of the Sith: Palpatine is in power, and Anakin his apprentice. That’s two Sith. Two Jedi. Force is balanced. Anakin’s “hero cycle,” his quest, was to bring balance to the Force, and he does. However, he also tips it—for he is the father of Luke and Leia. With Anakin, we have a hero who is simultaneously a villain, and who simultaneously achieves his goal and is responsible for its failure. (Luke tips the scales back to the Good Side.)
The first part of the hero cycle is when the hero receives his “Call to Adventure.” This occurs in Episode I when Anakin is freed to go become a Jedi. Anakin eagerly accepts the call, but ultimately refuses it: He runs back to his mother, puts down his backpack and says, “I can’t do it, Mom. I just can’t do it.” (This is the Refusal of the Call, followed by the Meeting with the Mentor.) His mother tells him to go, and “Don’t look back.” Only because mommy shoos him off does Anakin end up on the path to Vaderdom.
Yoda knows from the beginning that “the boy is dangerous”—because he is very powerful, indeed, but also “he is too old.” By “too old,” Yoda means that Anakin has lived his whole life with an intense attachment to another person: his mother. Therefore, he fears losing her. As Yoda tells us, “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” In a very gutsy and Freudian storytelling maneuver, Lucas clearly synthesizes Anakin’s mother with Anakin’s lover Padme in Anakin’s heart. He loves Padme like his mother, and no others: not Obi-Wan, not the Republic … not even his own offspring. (We can tell by Anakin’s face when Padme tells him she’s pregnant that he does not want to be a father: He is jealous of his unborn child.)
Throughout Episodes I and II, Anakin goes through the other phases of the hero cycle: He undergoes tests, makes allies and makes enemies. But the really fun stuff comes in Episode III as Anakin enters the cycle’s final phase. First, there is the hero’s entry into the Inmost Cave. This is the hero’s darkest, most horrible moment of self-revelation. It is an internal, psychological, spiritual event—hard to dramatize. In the original trilogy, Luke’s Inmost Cave is when, unforgettably, Darth Vader reveals he is Luke’s father.
In Episode III, however, the moment is much more subtle: Anakin waits inside the eerily empty Jedi temple while Mace Windu goes off to arrest Palpatine. Windu instructs Anakin to stay put, and “If what you’ve told me is true [about Palpatine being a Sith lord], you’ll have earned my trust.” It is sunset as Anakin stares out the window, tears in his eyes. For all the times Anakin disobeyed a superior’s directive, this is the one time he needs to do as he’s told … and he knows it. He’s just “not strong enough” to do the right thing—to stay a good Jedi, to let go of his attachment to Padme, to put the welfare of the entire Republic above his own personal happiness. This is the tragedy. When Anakin leaves the temple to save Palpatine, he knows it is the point of no return.
The sun has set on this Jedi.
From here out, he is dubbed Darth Vader. Like a machine, he does whatever action his Master pushes the button for him to do (and this is well before the “machine” metaphor gets literalized!).
Contrarily, Anakin’s son does have the strength to do the right thing. In Empire, when Vader outstretches his hand to Luke and booms, “Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son,” what does Luke do? He chooses suicide. He falls into the abyss. Luckily, he is saved, and the saga continues, but it is significant that Luke passes the test of temptation whereas his father did not.
The hero cycle’s Main Event is the Ordeal—this is the lava duel on Mustafar between Anakin/Vader and Obi-Wan. Anakin/Vader loses. Badly. In essence, Anakin is lost, body and mind. The Emperor saves what’s left of him from the banks of the lava river, and enables the Rebirth of our protagonist into Darth Vader, Mean Machine. Thus, the “hero” achieves Apotheosis (godhood), but he is a dark god … a devil.
MASTER AND SERVANT
While Anakin’s fatal flaw, in line with Greek tradition, is hubris (excessive pride), the weakness that characterizes his entire life is the result of something he had no control over: He was born and raised a slave, owned by a tyrant (Watto), and so he has a "slave mentality." Anakin spent seven of his first 10 years having no human rights, no autonomy. He would have escaped, it seems, if not for the tracking device implanted somewhere in his body that would explode and kill him if he tried. (Ironically, he starts his life imprisoned by inner technology, and concludes his life imprisoned by outer technology.) Throughout the prequels, Anakin has a hard time thinking, or choosing, for himself. When he does, he is unwaveringly selfish, and is this surprising, when for 10 years he never got to have what he wanted?
In the original trilogy, Darth Vader tells Luke, “It is useless to resist,” and, as to why he cannot rejoin the Good Side, “I must obey my Master.” Interestingly, during the middle of Anakin’s life, he is free of technology’s thrall, and of a tyrant’s oppression. However, he simply cannot handle the pressures and non-mandatory obligations to virtue inherent in having free will. It is easier to surrender his mind and body to the will of the Emperor, so long as his heart can stay with Padme. He is too blinded by greed and pride to realize that Padme will not love him as a dark lord of the Sith. When she doesn’t, and she dies, his heart dies with her… while the Emperor still possesses Anakin’s body and mind.
So it goes: in accordance with the monomyth, a monster is made, and borne of that monster is a hero, who makes all the right choices where his father before him failed, because Luke does not have a slave mentality. The new Star Wars trilogy is damn good cinema, really.
Of course, then again, seven hours is a long time to spend watching a story about a snotty punk. But, as the grosses show, when the storyteller is George Lucas, "It is useless to resist ... "
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
Aslan Is On The Move...
Caught The Lion,The Witch And The Wardrobe yesterday courtesy of a PR agency who gave me free tickets to the show. Was going to pay to watch the show anyway but oh well...haha.
Anyway, I loved the movie to bits and was quite glad to see that a majority of the story is being ported over to the film without any extraneous Hollywood fluff thrown into it. Aslan's animation was awesome, not only is that Lion majestic, I was almost believing him to be real. Liam Neeson is a pretty good voiceover for the part although in my heart, it's always gotta be James Earl "Mufasa" Jones.
The battles were also epic and sprawling and a good use of aerial cinematography really adds to the scale of how encompassing Narnia was. I liked it when there was a second of silence when both the armies charged head on and then clashed with a thunderous roar across the fields a la John Woo style man. Pure magic!
It's heartening to know that people can still do faithful literary adaptations, especially with me coming out of the recent Harry Potter disappointment... :D
"I don't think it will be any good trying to get back through the wardrobe door to get the coats. You won't get into Narnia again by that route. Nor would the coats be much use by now if you did! Eh? What's that? Yes, of course you'll get back to Narnia someday. Once a King in Narnia, always a King in Narnia. But don't go trying to use the same route twice. Indeed, don't try to get there at all. It'll happen when you're not looking for it." - The Professor
Anyway, I loved the movie to bits and was quite glad to see that a majority of the story is being ported over to the film without any extraneous Hollywood fluff thrown into it. Aslan's animation was awesome, not only is that Lion majestic, I was almost believing him to be real. Liam Neeson is a pretty good voiceover for the part although in my heart, it's always gotta be James Earl "Mufasa" Jones.
The battles were also epic and sprawling and a good use of aerial cinematography really adds to the scale of how encompassing Narnia was. I liked it when there was a second of silence when both the armies charged head on and then clashed with a thunderous roar across the fields a la John Woo style man. Pure magic!
It's heartening to know that people can still do faithful literary adaptations, especially with me coming out of the recent Harry Potter disappointment... :D
"I don't think it will be any good trying to get back through the wardrobe door to get the coats. You won't get into Narnia again by that route. Nor would the coats be much use by now if you did! Eh? What's that? Yes, of course you'll get back to Narnia someday. Once a King in Narnia, always a King in Narnia. But don't go trying to use the same route twice. Indeed, don't try to get there at all. It'll happen when you're not looking for it." - The Professor
Thursday, December 22, 2005
| You Have a Melancholic Temperament |
 Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything. You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life. You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you. Given enough time alone, it's easy for you to find inner peace. You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life. Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times. At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you. You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others. You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult. |
Oh well...today started out real pretty fine because my beloved pair of glasses just had their nose prongs broken off. Now I need a quick fix to that, anyone got Elephant glue?
And people wonder why I am melancholic...
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Got The Rings!!!
One step closer to being the dreaded Smug Married-hood as documented in Bridget Jone's Diaries as today saw Jo and me settling the papers for the final handing over of the flat to our names. This effectively means that I now own 66 Toa Payoh Lor 4 #XX-XXX (you all out there know my address lah) as well as all the irksome perks of paying my own bills, groceries and whatnots, argh! But still I am glad that now Jo has found a full-time job and should be able to share in upkeeping the house.
Along the way, we also collected our Wedding Bands that have been sitting with Lee Hwa Toa Payoh for weeks now at last! It feels kinda good to hold the little White Gold trinkets in your hands fully knowing that you bought them with your hard earned cash. No wonder Gollum is so much ado with that gold ring of his, lol!
Anyhow, wedding date aka ROM date is slated for 14th Feb with a probable Nov 11 2006 set for church wedding day if nothing goes wrong. Now that both of us are earning, things are indeed starting to look up coz the situation was so grim in the months before this. Thank God for His providence man!
For those people who is sourcing for a place to look for a one stop wedding boutique, I recommend Ted Collection at Chinatown which is at the same block of the hotel 81 opposite Chinatown Point. They do nice stuff and you get to keep ALL of the dresses and suits for a mere 2K+! Also, they do linking up services for you as wellcoz they can be roped in to source for cameramen, car rentals, and other little nitty gritties. Good stuff there, that's why we are planning to get them to do the things for us. Hopefully, things will be smooth for us from now on...
Along the way, we also collected our Wedding Bands that have been sitting with Lee Hwa Toa Payoh for weeks now at last! It feels kinda good to hold the little White Gold trinkets in your hands fully knowing that you bought them with your hard earned cash. No wonder Gollum is so much ado with that gold ring of his, lol!
Anyhow, wedding date aka ROM date is slated for 14th Feb with a probable Nov 11 2006 set for church wedding day if nothing goes wrong. Now that both of us are earning, things are indeed starting to look up coz the situation was so grim in the months before this. Thank God for His providence man!
For those people who is sourcing for a place to look for a one stop wedding boutique, I recommend Ted Collection at Chinatown which is at the same block of the hotel 81 opposite Chinatown Point. They do nice stuff and you get to keep ALL of the dresses and suits for a mere 2K+! Also, they do linking up services for you as wellcoz they can be roped in to source for cameramen, car rentals, and other little nitty gritties. Good stuff there, that's why we are planning to get them to do the things for us. Hopefully, things will be smooth for us from now on...
Dark Slide for my Extended campaign?
Ok, friends of mine know that I am a Magic: The Gathering nut. Sometimes even the girlfriend/fiancee/wife don't get how I can spend mucho moolah on pieces of cardboard but hey, it beats paying cash to smoke, gamble or drink, ain't it? Crap. Anyhow, am preparing for Extended format competitions coming my way in the next few weeks (there's one on 18th Dec at Serene Centre, come support me if you all want, haha) so I will be mostly spending weekends to test play new decks and right now, I am testing a new deck concept named Dark Slide, splashing a little Black into what is a normal Green/White Astral Slide Eternal Witness combo deck.
The post below is more of a documentation than anything, so some of you reading it may be lost but I must note all these down for posterity...
Before I start any further, here's my decklist that was used on the Sunday just passed.
Lands
Tranquil Thicket x 4
Secluded Steppes x 4
Windswept Heath x 3
Nantuko Monastery x 2
Overgrown Tomb x 1 (G/B)
Temple Garden x 2 (G/W)
Plains x 4
Forest x 4
Swamp x 1
25
Creatures
Eternal Witness x 4
Sakura-tribe Elder x 4
Eternal Dragon x 3
Loxodon Hierarch x 3
14
Spells
Astral Slide x 4
Gilded Light x 4
Renewed Faith x 1
Wrath of God x 4
Putrefy x 3
Wipe Clean x 3 (I will explain this choice below)
Life From The Loam x 2
21
Sideboard
Scrabbling Claws x 4
Cranial Extraction x 3
Boseiju, Who Shelters All x 2
Renewed Faith x 3
Fade From Memory x 3
Ok, the below is a brief recount of the matches I played as I did not keep accurate notes during the game and can only type from memory.
Game 1: UB Tog
Basically my opponent was pretty mana tight in the starting of the match and I raced ahead due to Elder, Dragons and Heath and took round 1 after beating down with a lone Monastery. (Point 1: these monastries are damn good against Tog coz they are big and they are hard to kill, if they target it with Smother, Slide the land out and return it untapped and you got a mana source back to boot! Good for cycling those Gilded Lights, you see. To those who feel that Elders are meh in the face of Wayfinders and Wood Elves, do not be foolish! Elders are really what Slide needs in the deck to just accelerate for turn three sick things like Wrath and Cranials!!)
Game 2: I sided in Boseiju and Cranials and start the beat down again. This time, I had Loxodons coming in to ensure my life totals stay healthy and allow them to just die from the 101 kill spells the Tog deck packs. However, a couple of turns later saw me digging for a Boseiju through some sorcery speed cycling (I was really needing an answer now coz a Tog just hit the board and my Slide got countered). I plonked the legendary land down and wished that my friend had no Boomerangs, which he didn't. Lo and behold on his end step I cycled for a Cranial top deck and Cranial-ed for all the damn Togs in his deck through the mana generated by Boseiju and dug out ALL three of the Toothy one from the deck leaving the only Tog on the table that was resolved earlier. Luckily, I managed to top deck a Putrefy off the top once again through cycling and pointed the power Golgari uncommon at the Tog during my turn for teh win!
(Cycling is a damn good mechanic since it trades useless cards for answers and lets you literally dig through your deck like a manic mole and that was how I found my Boseiju, Cranial E and Putrefy, I REALLY love cycling to bits now. I know this sounds like a no-brainer but Boseiju in SB is a MUST if you run all the Black disruptive spells like Cranial because if you resolve it, you have just made a BIG step towards winnin a match against Tog).
Dark Slide 2 : UB Classic Tog 0
Game 2: Scepter-Chant
This is a really bad match-up for Slide, I must say. In Round 1, I simply saw an Orim's Chant being imprinted on the Stick on turn three and didn't see the light of the day again. Needless to say, I scooped (because I kept not being able to find my Putrefies and I needed my Boseijus) and entered round 2.
Round 2 saw things getting a change for the better as I find an early Boseiju through digging once again courtesy of Cycling. The land got bounced once and that was it, it stayed unmolested for the rest of the game. I found a Cranial and Extracted for the Sticks. Phew! Next out went the Cunning Wish after a Witness regrew a Cranial and it was game.
Round 3: This time, I got really lucky and saw an opening hand with something like Forest, Swamp, Forest, Elder, Putrefy, Putrefy, Cranial Extraction. I drew into a third turn Loxodon Hierarch which incidentally resolved, telling me that my opponent may be light on counters. On turn four, I decided to be daring and tried to Cranial and it worked!!!!111!!! My opponent sighed and lamented that he should have cast the Scepter that he had on hand a few turns earlier (I saw why he didn't as he was rather light on the Blue mana as well, thus he may have thought that waiting a little longer for those Islands in order for his counter wall to be stronger was more important than casting the Scepter). Out went the Scepter he was holding on to as well as the three others in his deck. However, the game was not really wrapped yet as my opponent tried to fight back with two unmorphed Exalted Angels. I found a Boseiju before hand and Wrath-ed with impunity and laid an Elder which started his beatdown for 1 damage over several turns with no answer from across the table (it was sick and I felt bad about it)! Next came a cycled Decree of Justice for nine 1/1 soldiers that killed my attacking Elder. My opponent tried to do me in with the eight others but was met with a hard cast Renewed Faith for six since I have earlier Cranial-ed and saw that my opponent's hand held three counterspells and I made him waste them all with Witnesses and Cranial sans Boseiju, thereby letting him have no answers for my Faith for six. I later Wrath with Boseiju protection and he scooped.
Wow! Dark Slide wins another unwinnable match-up! Which my friend remarked later that Dark Slide is very viable indeed since I have overcame the two decks that I feared the most with pinache. Credit has to be given to my friend in case naysayers feel that he is a bad player or even cast doubts on his decks as his UB Tog and Scepter Chant decks are really very standard builds that have ALL the cards people use in their decks. My friend is an old-time player skilled in Control decks and he doesn't really make mistakes, thereby all these test results are real and accurate, I can assure you. However, one thing is for sure, Slide players should not feel overly optimistic about the No-Stick match-up even after reading this because No-Stick is really a matter of draw in Game 2 and 3 and if they managed to stabilize and resolve No-Stick. It's game, seriously. Period.
Dark Slide 2 : Scepter Chant 1
Later in the night, we decided to play UB Tog again versus Dark Slide because I felt that the first time around was due to luck and didn't want to go away big headed after one vistory. So we settled down and have another game.
I cannot remember the details about the second game now but I do remember the highlights. Game one saw me keeping off the Togs through Wraths and such and it was game because my friend ran out of counters. Game 2 saw me almost getting killed by a lone Wonder since I have Cranial-ed for Tog and Meloku (whom my friend sided in) and Boseiju-ed backed my spells for several times that dropped my life total to below 10. After sustaining three to four turns of beatings from the 2/2 flying Incarnation, I somehow managed to resolve an Astral Slide and Eternal Witness, topdecked a copy of Renewed Faith and cycled the Incarnation out everytime he tried to attacked and as you can see, my life hovered between four and two for some turns...it was so nervewrecking!!! Finally, I found another Renewed Faith and Loxodon Hierarch and my friend scooped. OMGBBQWTFLOL, Dark Slide beat Tog 2-0 again!!! I really don't know about this but maybe it's my luck that day.
However, looking back, I have got these to say. Dark Slide is clearly viable and regardless of what you all out there would want to say. I would recommend readers to retain whatever comments they want to say about Dark Slide first and try the deck out. In fact, Dark Slide has got what it takes to take on the meta right now. Here is where I explain the 3 copies of Wipe Clean in my deck. Basically, as I am building this version of the Dark Slide for the current meta, I added in the Wipe Cleans to help my Game 1 against the CAL and Heartbeat decks. I feel that if Dark Slide takes Game 1 against these nuisances, then we stand a very good chance Game 2 when we side in the Cranials and all that jazz. Furthermore, even if the match-up was not CAL and Heartbeat, Dark Slide can still cycle away the Wipe Cleans for no cost at all and still trigger off a cycle effect from Astral Slide. Thus, Wipe Cleans are never really dead cards although you can say that its cycling cost is a little steep if you really want to nit-pick. Wipe Clean is my own secret tech against those enchantment-based combo decks. Hell, it's even good in the mirror! If that's not tech, I don't know what is...
For those who still harbor pessimistic views on the Tog and No-Stick match-ups, take heart, because if you splash Black to Slide, you can overcome them. Even if you still insist to splash Red, it's still winnable.
The key is to just play aggressively albeit smartly and have no Fear (there's this article by Dan Paskins a while ago that I read about not being afraid of Counterspells and just play your game), in this way, you force the Tog or Scepter player to respond. If they do, that's one less counterspell to worry about. If they don't, hell, you get to resolve your spell! So tell me, what's there to fear about Counterspells??
To round up, although I have to say that both Red and Black splashes have their merits and de-merits (I loved both versions of Slide really), I can generally offer an advice to players who want to field Slide.
1) If your field is mostly Aggro, field the Red splash, it will tear the weenie decks to shreds.
2)If your meta is full of combo/control (and in fact the currrent meta is), then the Black splash is needed for the disruption.
**For information of what those cards that I mentioned in this post do, you can check them out with this link, http://gatherer.wizards.com/gathererlookup.asp?name=cranial+extraction. Just type in the name of the cards in my decklist and check them out if you are interested. :)
The post below is more of a documentation than anything, so some of you reading it may be lost but I must note all these down for posterity...
Before I start any further, here's my decklist that was used on the Sunday just passed.
Lands
Tranquil Thicket x 4
Secluded Steppes x 4
Windswept Heath x 3
Nantuko Monastery x 2
Overgrown Tomb x 1 (G/B)
Temple Garden x 2 (G/W)
Plains x 4
Forest x 4
Swamp x 1
25
Creatures
Eternal Witness x 4
Sakura-tribe Elder x 4
Eternal Dragon x 3
Loxodon Hierarch x 3
14
Spells
Astral Slide x 4
Gilded Light x 4
Renewed Faith x 1
Wrath of God x 4
Putrefy x 3
Wipe Clean x 3 (I will explain this choice below)
Life From The Loam x 2
21
Sideboard
Scrabbling Claws x 4
Cranial Extraction x 3
Boseiju, Who Shelters All x 2
Renewed Faith x 3
Fade From Memory x 3
Ok, the below is a brief recount of the matches I played as I did not keep accurate notes during the game and can only type from memory.
Game 1: UB Tog
Basically my opponent was pretty mana tight in the starting of the match and I raced ahead due to Elder, Dragons and Heath and took round 1 after beating down with a lone Monastery. (Point 1: these monastries are damn good against Tog coz they are big and they are hard to kill, if they target it with Smother, Slide the land out and return it untapped and you got a mana source back to boot! Good for cycling those Gilded Lights, you see. To those who feel that Elders are meh in the face of Wayfinders and Wood Elves, do not be foolish! Elders are really what Slide needs in the deck to just accelerate for turn three sick things like Wrath and Cranials!!)
Game 2: I sided in Boseiju and Cranials and start the beat down again. This time, I had Loxodons coming in to ensure my life totals stay healthy and allow them to just die from the 101 kill spells the Tog deck packs. However, a couple of turns later saw me digging for a Boseiju through some sorcery speed cycling (I was really needing an answer now coz a Tog just hit the board and my Slide got countered). I plonked the legendary land down and wished that my friend had no Boomerangs, which he didn't. Lo and behold on his end step I cycled for a Cranial top deck and Cranial-ed for all the damn Togs in his deck through the mana generated by Boseiju and dug out ALL three of the Toothy one from the deck leaving the only Tog on the table that was resolved earlier. Luckily, I managed to top deck a Putrefy off the top once again through cycling and pointed the power Golgari uncommon at the Tog during my turn for teh win!
(Cycling is a damn good mechanic since it trades useless cards for answers and lets you literally dig through your deck like a manic mole and that was how I found my Boseiju, Cranial E and Putrefy, I REALLY love cycling to bits now. I know this sounds like a no-brainer but Boseiju in SB is a MUST if you run all the Black disruptive spells like Cranial because if you resolve it, you have just made a BIG step towards winnin a match against Tog).
Dark Slide 2 : UB Classic Tog 0
Game 2: Scepter-Chant
This is a really bad match-up for Slide, I must say. In Round 1, I simply saw an Orim's Chant being imprinted on the Stick on turn three and didn't see the light of the day again. Needless to say, I scooped (because I kept not being able to find my Putrefies and I needed my Boseijus) and entered round 2.
Round 2 saw things getting a change for the better as I find an early Boseiju through digging once again courtesy of Cycling. The land got bounced once and that was it, it stayed unmolested for the rest of the game. I found a Cranial and Extracted for the Sticks. Phew! Next out went the Cunning Wish after a Witness regrew a Cranial and it was game.
Round 3: This time, I got really lucky and saw an opening hand with something like Forest, Swamp, Forest, Elder, Putrefy, Putrefy, Cranial Extraction. I drew into a third turn Loxodon Hierarch which incidentally resolved, telling me that my opponent may be light on counters. On turn four, I decided to be daring and tried to Cranial and it worked!!!!111!!! My opponent sighed and lamented that he should have cast the Scepter that he had on hand a few turns earlier (I saw why he didn't as he was rather light on the Blue mana as well, thus he may have thought that waiting a little longer for those Islands in order for his counter wall to be stronger was more important than casting the Scepter). Out went the Scepter he was holding on to as well as the three others in his deck. However, the game was not really wrapped yet as my opponent tried to fight back with two unmorphed Exalted Angels. I found a Boseiju before hand and Wrath-ed with impunity and laid an Elder which started his beatdown for 1 damage over several turns with no answer from across the table (it was sick and I felt bad about it)! Next came a cycled Decree of Justice for nine 1/1 soldiers that killed my attacking Elder. My opponent tried to do me in with the eight others but was met with a hard cast Renewed Faith for six since I have earlier Cranial-ed and saw that my opponent's hand held three counterspells and I made him waste them all with Witnesses and Cranial sans Boseiju, thereby letting him have no answers for my Faith for six. I later Wrath with Boseiju protection and he scooped.
Wow! Dark Slide wins another unwinnable match-up! Which my friend remarked later that Dark Slide is very viable indeed since I have overcame the two decks that I feared the most with pinache. Credit has to be given to my friend in case naysayers feel that he is a bad player or even cast doubts on his decks as his UB Tog and Scepter Chant decks are really very standard builds that have ALL the cards people use in their decks. My friend is an old-time player skilled in Control decks and he doesn't really make mistakes, thereby all these test results are real and accurate, I can assure you. However, one thing is for sure, Slide players should not feel overly optimistic about the No-Stick match-up even after reading this because No-Stick is really a matter of draw in Game 2 and 3 and if they managed to stabilize and resolve No-Stick. It's game, seriously. Period.
Dark Slide 2 : Scepter Chant 1
Later in the night, we decided to play UB Tog again versus Dark Slide because I felt that the first time around was due to luck and didn't want to go away big headed after one vistory. So we settled down and have another game.
I cannot remember the details about the second game now but I do remember the highlights. Game one saw me keeping off the Togs through Wraths and such and it was game because my friend ran out of counters. Game 2 saw me almost getting killed by a lone Wonder since I have Cranial-ed for Tog and Meloku (whom my friend sided in) and Boseiju-ed backed my spells for several times that dropped my life total to below 10. After sustaining three to four turns of beatings from the 2/2 flying Incarnation, I somehow managed to resolve an Astral Slide and Eternal Witness, topdecked a copy of Renewed Faith and cycled the Incarnation out everytime he tried to attacked and as you can see, my life hovered between four and two for some turns...it was so nervewrecking!!! Finally, I found another Renewed Faith and Loxodon Hierarch and my friend scooped. OMGBBQWTFLOL, Dark Slide beat Tog 2-0 again!!! I really don't know about this but maybe it's my luck that day.
However, looking back, I have got these to say. Dark Slide is clearly viable and regardless of what you all out there would want to say. I would recommend readers to retain whatever comments they want to say about Dark Slide first and try the deck out. In fact, Dark Slide has got what it takes to take on the meta right now. Here is where I explain the 3 copies of Wipe Clean in my deck. Basically, as I am building this version of the Dark Slide for the current meta, I added in the Wipe Cleans to help my Game 1 against the CAL and Heartbeat decks. I feel that if Dark Slide takes Game 1 against these nuisances, then we stand a very good chance Game 2 when we side in the Cranials and all that jazz. Furthermore, even if the match-up was not CAL and Heartbeat, Dark Slide can still cycle away the Wipe Cleans for no cost at all and still trigger off a cycle effect from Astral Slide. Thus, Wipe Cleans are never really dead cards although you can say that its cycling cost is a little steep if you really want to nit-pick. Wipe Clean is my own secret tech against those enchantment-based combo decks. Hell, it's even good in the mirror! If that's not tech, I don't know what is...
For those who still harbor pessimistic views on the Tog and No-Stick match-ups, take heart, because if you splash Black to Slide, you can overcome them. Even if you still insist to splash Red, it's still winnable.
The key is to just play aggressively albeit smartly and have no Fear (there's this article by Dan Paskins a while ago that I read about not being afraid of Counterspells and just play your game), in this way, you force the Tog or Scepter player to respond. If they do, that's one less counterspell to worry about. If they don't, hell, you get to resolve your spell! So tell me, what's there to fear about Counterspells??
To round up, although I have to say that both Red and Black splashes have their merits and de-merits (I loved both versions of Slide really), I can generally offer an advice to players who want to field Slide.
1) If your field is mostly Aggro, field the Red splash, it will tear the weenie decks to shreds.
2)If your meta is full of combo/control (and in fact the currrent meta is), then the Black splash is needed for the disruption.
**For information of what those cards that I mentioned in this post do, you can check them out with this link, http://gatherer.wizards.com/gathererlookup.asp?name=cranial+extraction. Just type in the name of the cards in my decklist and check them out if you are interested. :)
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Rain is falling outside...
Great, it has to be raining outside right now. Sigh. It's depressing. Guess I will post up a song I like for now. It's "Don't Love You No More (I'm Sorry)" by Craig David
for all the years that i've known you baby
i can't figure out the reason why lately you've been acting so cold
(didn't you say)
if there's a problem we should work it out
so why you giving me the cold shoulder now
like you don't even wanna talk to me girl
(tell me)
ok i know i was late again
i made you mad and then it's throwing the pan
but why are you making this drag on so long
(i wanna know)
i'm sick and tired of this silly games
(silly games)
don't figure that i'm the only one here to blame
it's not me here who's been going round slamming doors
that's when you turned and said to me
i don't care babe who's right or wrong
i just don't love you no more.
rain outside my window pouring down
what now, your gone, my fault, i'm sorry
feeling like a fool cause i let you down
now it's, too late, to turn it around
i'm sorry for the tears i made you cry
i guess this time it really is goodbye
you made it clear when you said
i just don't love you no more
i know that i made a few mistakes
but never thought that things would turn out this way
cause i'm missing something now that your gone
(i see it all so clearly)
me at the door with you inner state
(inner state)
giving my reasons but as you look away
i can see a tear roll down your face
that's when you turned and said to me
i don't care babe who's right or wrong
i just don't love you no more.
rain outside my window pouring down
what now, your gone, my fault, i'm sorry
feeling like a fool cause i let you down
now it's, too late, to turn it around
i'm sorry for the tears i made you cry
i guess this time it really is goodbye
you made it clear when you said
i just don't love you no more
don't say those words it's so hard
they turn my whole world upside down
girl you caught me completely off guard
on the night you said to me
i just don't love you more.
rain outside my window pouring down
what now, your gone, my fault, i'm sorry
feeling like a fool cause i let you down
now it's, too late, to turn it around
i'm sorry for the tears i made you cry
i guess this time it really is goodbye
you made it clear when you said
i just don't love you no more
- Don't Love You No More (I'm Sorry), Craig David
for all the years that i've known you baby
i can't figure out the reason why lately you've been acting so cold
(didn't you say)
if there's a problem we should work it out
so why you giving me the cold shoulder now
like you don't even wanna talk to me girl
(tell me)
ok i know i was late again
i made you mad and then it's throwing the pan
but why are you making this drag on so long
(i wanna know)
i'm sick and tired of this silly games
(silly games)
don't figure that i'm the only one here to blame
it's not me here who's been going round slamming doors
that's when you turned and said to me
i don't care babe who's right or wrong
i just don't love you no more.
rain outside my window pouring down
what now, your gone, my fault, i'm sorry
feeling like a fool cause i let you down
now it's, too late, to turn it around
i'm sorry for the tears i made you cry
i guess this time it really is goodbye
you made it clear when you said
i just don't love you no more
i know that i made a few mistakes
but never thought that things would turn out this way
cause i'm missing something now that your gone
(i see it all so clearly)
me at the door with you inner state
(inner state)
giving my reasons but as you look away
i can see a tear roll down your face
that's when you turned and said to me
i don't care babe who's right or wrong
i just don't love you no more.
rain outside my window pouring down
what now, your gone, my fault, i'm sorry
feeling like a fool cause i let you down
now it's, too late, to turn it around
i'm sorry for the tears i made you cry
i guess this time it really is goodbye
you made it clear when you said
i just don't love you no more
don't say those words it's so hard
they turn my whole world upside down
girl you caught me completely off guard
on the night you said to me
i just don't love you more.
rain outside my window pouring down
what now, your gone, my fault, i'm sorry
feeling like a fool cause i let you down
now it's, too late, to turn it around
i'm sorry for the tears i made you cry
i guess this time it really is goodbye
you made it clear when you said
i just don't love you no more
- Don't Love You No More (I'm Sorry), Craig David
Re-reading Narnia
With the movie coming up, I am eager to step back into the world of Narnia since having read the story in my secondary school days, only difference now is that I am also reading the rest of the six other books that I have given a pass over due to the fact that CS Lewis' kind of literature didn't quite appeal to me then as I found it rather dry and boring - not your typical RA Salvatore's stuff, if you get my drift.
Anyhow, I have finished The Magician's Nephew - the first book in the Narnia series when put in chronological order (plot-wise). The explains how the world of Narnia was created and how Narnia came to have a wicked Snow Queen and the arrival of the Lion Aslan (voiced by Jedi Master Liam Neeson in the movie for trivia's sake). Although The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (LWW) was normally the first book people read about Narnia, The Magician's Nephew must be read to get a grip on the world's origins and come to appreciate LWW better.
Right now as I am typing, I have put aside The Horse and His Boy, the third book in the series. It's not really about the four children in LWW per se although their names get mentioned and only Susan, Edmund and Lucy get brief appearances. It's more about a boy named Shasta and his horse Bree who is incidentally a Talking Horse originally from Narnia. Now why are there talking animals in Narnia? You have to read The Magician's Nephew to find out.
Funnily now, as I am older undoubtedly, I find that the prose in the Narnia books though simple, are laden rich in allegories and deep in moral philosophy. Maybe some books are meant to be read after you have taken a few knocks and tumbles in Life. I have come to like Aslan more and more and many times in the story, his sense of Justice and Magnanimity astounds me. Funny thing it is because many people see this series as juvenile fiction and thus readers do not expect the story to be too deep in themselves. But then again you have Harry Potter.
Now I only need to get my hands on the other books like Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair and The Last Battle and I'm all set.
And since I am in essence typing about a fantasy themed post, here's something I got from Mona's blog. I just love those quizzes I can find on the girl Moonies' blogs. LOL!
Leo:Love is in the air for you this month! Whether
it's at that spooky Halloween party your buds
are planning or the big football game this
weekend, a classmate will have his eye on you
and want to start a romance!
Lucky Day: Saturday
what is your horoscope
brought to you by Quizilla
Anyhow, I have finished The Magician's Nephew - the first book in the Narnia series when put in chronological order (plot-wise). The explains how the world of Narnia was created and how Narnia came to have a wicked Snow Queen and the arrival of the Lion Aslan (voiced by Jedi Master Liam Neeson in the movie for trivia's sake). Although The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (LWW) was normally the first book people read about Narnia, The Magician's Nephew must be read to get a grip on the world's origins and come to appreciate LWW better.
Right now as I am typing, I have put aside The Horse and His Boy, the third book in the series. It's not really about the four children in LWW per se although their names get mentioned and only Susan, Edmund and Lucy get brief appearances. It's more about a boy named Shasta and his horse Bree who is incidentally a Talking Horse originally from Narnia. Now why are there talking animals in Narnia? You have to read The Magician's Nephew to find out.
Funnily now, as I am older undoubtedly, I find that the prose in the Narnia books though simple, are laden rich in allegories and deep in moral philosophy. Maybe some books are meant to be read after you have taken a few knocks and tumbles in Life. I have come to like Aslan more and more and many times in the story, his sense of Justice and Magnanimity astounds me. Funny thing it is because many people see this series as juvenile fiction and thus readers do not expect the story to be too deep in themselves. But then again you have Harry Potter.
Now I only need to get my hands on the other books like Prince Caspian, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair and The Last Battle and I'm all set.
And since I am in essence typing about a fantasy themed post, here's something I got from Mona's blog. I just love those quizzes I can find on the girl Moonies' blogs. LOL!
Leo:Love is in the air for you this month! Whether
it's at that spooky Halloween party your buds
are planning or the big football game this
weekend, a classmate will have his eye on you
and want to start a romance!
Lucky Day: Saturday
what is your horoscope
brought to you by Quizilla
Thursday, November 24, 2005
I Love Sitex!
Coz almost my entire room's occupants have gone to work at Sitex happening at faraway Expo, so no chance they will return. Wahahaha, the sweet smell of peace and quiet. I just love to enjoy the room all by myself...at least till the end of the week.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Rune Midgard Anthology – An Acolyte’s Dream Chapter 10: The Awakening of The Scourge of Morocc…
(Pimp: I know some of you out there who read this pimp's blog will not get what I am typing here, but it's really a story that I am currently doing as part of my magazine work. It's currently in its 17th chapter and I want to document it all in this blog. I remember I left it off at Chapter 9 the other time so here's the rest of tale that I will be posting up now and then...)
...With much traveling, Tellerin arrived at Morocc amidst all the clashing socio-religious sentiments and it was here too that he was shown a glimpse of the harsh realities of life which he had been so shielded against in his Basilica days. The mage, Elihu leaves the desert city after a brief discussion with the young acolyte about idealism and pragmatism in his journey to Geffen to warn the magic city of the impending invasion across the ocean. Tellerin barely had time to sound his goodbyes before hastily trailing after a red-robed figure into the crowds – a red-robed figure he knew only too well…
The Awakening of The Scourge of Morocc…
The scarlet-garbed figure slinked through the marketplace crowds with an ease that is not unlike a well-oiled piece of machinery that left Tellerin breathless in pursuit. Down the lanes and blocks went the acolyte, pushing aside stray merchants and hawkers while desperately trying to get his bearings. Navigating in Morocc can be rather daunting and tedious especially when you are lost in its haphazard streets that were the product of bad city planning in ages past.
“I must not lose the person, even if it’s not the rogue from the Night Masks, surely it must be somebody from that organization,” muttered Tellerin as he narrowly missed being scalded by a street peddler selling local cuisines.
“Perhaps, I would be able to uncover the location of their hideout.”
As the acolyte followed the rogue deeper and deeper into the bowels of the city’s avenues, the look of the much polished city square soon gave way to a more derelict and unkempt part of town that nobody in the right mind in Morocc would ever want to be seen in.
“Bedlam alley, ha, how apt,” commented the first-time stalker as he caught a glimpse of the wooden street sign that has somehow escaped all attempts of defacements and vandalism that the other street properties had suffered, it was as if the denizens of this sector were proud to be living there.
As he looked on, the first sight that greeted Tellerin was the fact that he had somehow been led to the outer reaches of the city, evident by the fact that the streets were strewn with layers of sand, dirt and grime. Here, the doors of the houses remained perpetually closed, a stark difference to the welcoming feel that the main city-square exuded. The citizens of Bedlam also walked around with caution in their steps, eyes shifting nervously for signs of the next hoodlum or cutthroat.
It seemed to Tellerin that the district has obviously been largely ignored by the central government, probably due to the overpowering presence of the local gangs. It also occurred to him that he was also nearing the desert once more as he spied two pyramid spires a few hundred feet away from him – the rest of the structures being lost in the swirling sands. Judging from the position of the sun in the sky, Tellerin deduced that he should be in the North-West quadrant of Morocc.
“Darn, I lost the fellow,” grunted Tellerin as he shielded his eyes from the grains of fine sands that threatened his line of sight. But just as he was about to backtrack, he caught sight of the silhouette of the rogue as the buffeting wind died down a little, revealing the dwindling figure of the rogue walking on towards one of the pyramids in the horizon.
Tellerin picked up his pace.
***
As soon as the red-robed figure entered the cool of the pyramids, a voice boomed in the darkness that caught the rogue by surprise. “So you have returned, Serephine, the Order has been starved of your news since you left, we feared the worst.”
“Oh, do stop that, you know I rarely stumble but the quarry was exceptionally skilled, you sure he was supposed to be just an ordinary clergyman?” replied Serephine as she downed her hood, revealing her locks of auburn hair. Serephine was not someone you would associate with an organization like the Night Masks. With her small build, almost porcelain complexion and girlish looks, she looked almost too aristocratic for an underground movement. Such were the grounds that the Night Masks took as the basis for taking her in when she arrived 18 years ago, carried by a dying maid.
A frail-looking flower would almost attract no attention to its thorns until you touched it and Serephine was such an example. The Night Mask needed Serephine to carry out covert operations and Serephine needed them. To her, the Masks were her family, a surrogate one that replaced hers that perished years ago as told to her by the elders. It all went smoothly for her until she was given this assignment two months ago – to assassinate a high-ranking church leader that the Night Masks have detected to be of threat to the continued peace of the land. The task seemed simple enough until she was almost defeated by this young, fiery acolyte who looked nothing like the weak old men that Serephine thought her target would be.
Perhaps an explanation of the backgrounds of the Night Masks was in order. Founded in the days of the first Moroccan King as part of his elite guards, the Night Masks’ main purposes were to quell the internal strife and restore order to the newly formed city. The Masks were respected by the citizenry and feared by the hardcore law-breakers. The signature red-robes were normally the last things you would see irregardless of which side of the law you were on when they visit as the rogues went about their business with skilled silence and an almost brutal efficiency.
The trend ended during the reign of the fifth King who abolished the need for the Masks as peace has been maintained in Morocc after the iron-fisted rule of the fourth monarch. Disbanded but not destroyed, the Masks were driven underground as they continue to keep watch over the desert city and the land of Rune-Midgard in general, vowing to uphold the fragile state of peace and balance. Lately, the scales were tipped with news of an imminent act of treachery in the folds of the Pronterean Church and the Night Masks were mobilized to deal with the threat under the current Moroccan King, Al-Fahad who was keen to revive the Order but was apprehensive of the political consequences.
“A more pressing matter now threatens us all, my young one,” spoke the voice as its owner stepped out of the shadows, revealing a buffed man with an otherwise bald pate save for a long scalp lock. “It is good that you have come back, for we need your skills in this hour, in fact all the rogues have been called back to Morocc. The Ancient has been awakened,” revealed the bald man grimly.
...With much traveling, Tellerin arrived at Morocc amidst all the clashing socio-religious sentiments and it was here too that he was shown a glimpse of the harsh realities of life which he had been so shielded against in his Basilica days. The mage, Elihu leaves the desert city after a brief discussion with the young acolyte about idealism and pragmatism in his journey to Geffen to warn the magic city of the impending invasion across the ocean. Tellerin barely had time to sound his goodbyes before hastily trailing after a red-robed figure into the crowds – a red-robed figure he knew only too well…
The Awakening of The Scourge of Morocc…
The scarlet-garbed figure slinked through the marketplace crowds with an ease that is not unlike a well-oiled piece of machinery that left Tellerin breathless in pursuit. Down the lanes and blocks went the acolyte, pushing aside stray merchants and hawkers while desperately trying to get his bearings. Navigating in Morocc can be rather daunting and tedious especially when you are lost in its haphazard streets that were the product of bad city planning in ages past.
“I must not lose the person, even if it’s not the rogue from the Night Masks, surely it must be somebody from that organization,” muttered Tellerin as he narrowly missed being scalded by a street peddler selling local cuisines.
“Perhaps, I would be able to uncover the location of their hideout.”
As the acolyte followed the rogue deeper and deeper into the bowels of the city’s avenues, the look of the much polished city square soon gave way to a more derelict and unkempt part of town that nobody in the right mind in Morocc would ever want to be seen in.
“Bedlam alley, ha, how apt,” commented the first-time stalker as he caught a glimpse of the wooden street sign that has somehow escaped all attempts of defacements and vandalism that the other street properties had suffered, it was as if the denizens of this sector were proud to be living there.
As he looked on, the first sight that greeted Tellerin was the fact that he had somehow been led to the outer reaches of the city, evident by the fact that the streets were strewn with layers of sand, dirt and grime. Here, the doors of the houses remained perpetually closed, a stark difference to the welcoming feel that the main city-square exuded. The citizens of Bedlam also walked around with caution in their steps, eyes shifting nervously for signs of the next hoodlum or cutthroat.
It seemed to Tellerin that the district has obviously been largely ignored by the central government, probably due to the overpowering presence of the local gangs. It also occurred to him that he was also nearing the desert once more as he spied two pyramid spires a few hundred feet away from him – the rest of the structures being lost in the swirling sands. Judging from the position of the sun in the sky, Tellerin deduced that he should be in the North-West quadrant of Morocc.
“Darn, I lost the fellow,” grunted Tellerin as he shielded his eyes from the grains of fine sands that threatened his line of sight. But just as he was about to backtrack, he caught sight of the silhouette of the rogue as the buffeting wind died down a little, revealing the dwindling figure of the rogue walking on towards one of the pyramids in the horizon.
Tellerin picked up his pace.
***
As soon as the red-robed figure entered the cool of the pyramids, a voice boomed in the darkness that caught the rogue by surprise. “So you have returned, Serephine, the Order has been starved of your news since you left, we feared the worst.”
“Oh, do stop that, you know I rarely stumble but the quarry was exceptionally skilled, you sure he was supposed to be just an ordinary clergyman?” replied Serephine as she downed her hood, revealing her locks of auburn hair. Serephine was not someone you would associate with an organization like the Night Masks. With her small build, almost porcelain complexion and girlish looks, she looked almost too aristocratic for an underground movement. Such were the grounds that the Night Masks took as the basis for taking her in when she arrived 18 years ago, carried by a dying maid.
A frail-looking flower would almost attract no attention to its thorns until you touched it and Serephine was such an example. The Night Mask needed Serephine to carry out covert operations and Serephine needed them. To her, the Masks were her family, a surrogate one that replaced hers that perished years ago as told to her by the elders. It all went smoothly for her until she was given this assignment two months ago – to assassinate a high-ranking church leader that the Night Masks have detected to be of threat to the continued peace of the land. The task seemed simple enough until she was almost defeated by this young, fiery acolyte who looked nothing like the weak old men that Serephine thought her target would be.
Perhaps an explanation of the backgrounds of the Night Masks was in order. Founded in the days of the first Moroccan King as part of his elite guards, the Night Masks’ main purposes were to quell the internal strife and restore order to the newly formed city. The Masks were respected by the citizenry and feared by the hardcore law-breakers. The signature red-robes were normally the last things you would see irregardless of which side of the law you were on when they visit as the rogues went about their business with skilled silence and an almost brutal efficiency.
The trend ended during the reign of the fifth King who abolished the need for the Masks as peace has been maintained in Morocc after the iron-fisted rule of the fourth monarch. Disbanded but not destroyed, the Masks were driven underground as they continue to keep watch over the desert city and the land of Rune-Midgard in general, vowing to uphold the fragile state of peace and balance. Lately, the scales were tipped with news of an imminent act of treachery in the folds of the Pronterean Church and the Night Masks were mobilized to deal with the threat under the current Moroccan King, Al-Fahad who was keen to revive the Order but was apprehensive of the political consequences.
“A more pressing matter now threatens us all, my young one,” spoke the voice as its owner stepped out of the shadows, revealing a buffed man with an otherwise bald pate save for a long scalp lock. “It is good that you have come back, for we need your skills in this hour, in fact all the rogues have been called back to Morocc. The Ancient has been awakened,” revealed the bald man grimly.
So Cold Your Nipples Can Fall Off...
It's a blistery day today...brrr, better off asleep. Anyhow, just got wind of a probable bonus payout in December. Will it come to pass? Only God knows.
So sleepy now...and bored...and restless...listless...head is nodding like crazy, why am I even here??? I can hear my bed in Toa Payoh beckoning me into its soft embrace.
So sleepy now...and bored...and restless...listless...head is nodding like crazy, why am I even here??? I can hear my bed in Toa Payoh beckoning me into its soft embrace.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Baring the Pimp...
Get to know yourself better
This is a very accurate depiction of Da Pimp simply because I have these things being said about me by people I know. Wanna try it? Here's the link: http://http://quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx
Your view on yourself:
You are intelligent, honest and sweet. You are friendly to everybody and don't like conflict. Because you're so cheerful and fun people are naturally attracted to you and like to talk to you.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.
The seriousness of your love:
Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.
Your views on education
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.
The right job for you:
You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.
How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.
What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of things that you cannot control. Sometimes you show your anger to cover up how you feel.
Who is your true self:
You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.
Another one of those songs I like...
Now listening to I'd Rather by Luther Vandross on the radio. I just like such songs and some of Luther's tracks. God bless his soul.
I thought sometime alone
was what we really needed
you said this time would hurt more than it helps
but I couldn't see that
I thought it was the end
of a beautiful story
and so I left the one I loved at home to be alone (alone)
and I tried to find
out if this one thing is true
that I'm nothing without you
I know better now
and I've had a change of heart
I'd rather have bad times with you, than good times with someone else
I'd rather be beside you in a storm, than safe and warm by myself
I'd rather have hard times together, than to have it easy apart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart
whoo-oo-oo-oo yeah
And then I met someone
and thought she could replace you
we got a long just fine
we wasted time because she was not you
we had a lot of fun
though we knew we were faking
love was not impressed with our connection they were all lies, all lies
so I'm here cause I found this one thing is true
that I'm nothing without you
I know better now
and I've had a change of heart
I'd rather have bad times with you, than good times with someone else
I'd rather be beside you in a storm, than safe and warm by myself
I'd rather have hard times together, than to have it easy apart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart
who holds my heart
I can't blame you if you turn away from me, like I've done you,
I can only prove the things I say with time,
please be mine,
I'd rather have bad times with (please be mine) you,
than good times with someone else (I know)
I'd rather be beside you in a storm (anytime),
than safe and warm by myself (so sure baby)
I'd rather have hard times to gether,
than to have it easy apart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart (my heart)
I'd rather have bad times with you (surely),
than good times with someone else (surely)
I'd rather be beside you in a storm (oh yeah),
than safe and warm by myself (all by myself)
I'd rather have hard times together,
than to have it easy apart (you know it)
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart
I'd rather have the one who holds my heart
whoooo... who holds my heart
- I'd Rather, Luther Vandross
Not so good leh, the Potter
Just came back from the screening of Potter yesterday night when I watched the sneaks, I must say that the entire 2.5 hour movie pretty much sucked. I really don't think it was so good after all, which is a letdown after the rather spectacular trailer that was shown in theatres and the official website.
Nothing wrong with the cast and all, Radcliffe and company are still carrying off the titles characters well and I dare say the kids are definitely improving and moving more into character as the instalments go by. The Hogwarts CGI-ed grounds and towering spires are still impressive and man, those Dragons are HOT, but still I am left with an empty feeling inside and didn't quite enjoy the movie.
The reasons?
Off hand, I can think of a couple.
One of the major faults of the movie is its relative brevity. In this age when you will not even bat an eyelid anymore when you hear about three hour or more movies, Goblet of Fire's 2.5 hour screen time seems too short and it is! I mean the book is well over 500 pages if I am not wrong and there was so many details and plots that were left out that it made some parts of the movie disjointed and incoherent. It's a lucky thing I have read the book which helps since I can remember some bits of the original tale and still string the pieces together, but not for those who have not read the Rowling scrawls.
The entire tournament setup is also not that exciting and fails make me anticipate and worry about the fates of the other Champions besides only Harry (only because he's the damn lead) since the rest of the foreign students and even Cedric Diggory was so glossed over. In fact, I don't even give two hoots even if they died, which of course Cedric did in the end and I didn't really feel a thing for his demise since the entire movie he appeared like what, five times?
Conversely, I really felt sad and depressed when he died in the book because the prose simply make me feel more for him as a character.
The beginning bits about the Riddle estate was also loosely written over as well as the Quidditch World Cup sequence which was one of the memorable parts in the book. It's a pity really if they have shown the entire Bulgaria vs Ireland (if I am not wrong) match. It would be breathtaking, but I think they sunk in alot of money doing the Dragon animation that's why.
The Tri-Wizard tournament also simply degenerated into yet another Hollywood display of graphical technology and special effects widzardry (no pun intended). The Hungarian HornTail is frighteningly huge and menacing, the merfolk and those sotong creatures in the Black Lake are an absolutely horrific bunch and of course the resurrection ritual of Voldermort at the end is a visual treat but that's about it. I think I paid 8 bucks just to watch some fine computer animations and not the drama that I have come to expect from the previous Potter films. There's no growing pains and adolescent anguish here from Harry, only the feelings of crushes and a short fight with Ron. Hermione was also reduced to a role that looks really good but her sharp wit and Miss Know-It-All demeanor are somewhat diminished.
And don't get me started on Cho Chang.
To me, Cho is a really pretty girl in the books, especially since she hails from the lesser heard of Ravenclaw House. She was the one chance that Ravenclaw would be remembered and the Director had to cast Katie Leung for the role. No offence to young Katie, I think she has potential to act and she really did try to get into the role of Cho, but I think she is not that suitable for the character. Maybe it's Katie's looks (not that she is ugly, mind you, just not pretty and striking enough) that doesn't really do justice to Cho. I would have oh so wished that they used Kristen Kruek instead. Serious.
Oh well.
But still, the movie does have some redeeming factors. The visuals as I mentioned before are good and the whole feel of the franchise is still retained so Potter fans need not be so uptight over the flaws. It's too bad since Goblet of Fire is really one of the most exciting and well-written books so far (my personal fave) and it has to be presented this way which results in it being a little off-balanced and hard to understand for the non-readers while the previous ones had no such problems.
They could have just made it into a two part movie and release it a few months shy of each other a la Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, I don't mind. And I am sure there are many others out there who will share my view. But of course the Hollywood people didn't.
All things said, you guys out there should still watch it, fellow readers like Sha would still probably enjoy the show and I admit I could be a little nit-picky here since this is obviously my fave episode barring my reading of the Half-Blood Prince which I have yet to do since the hardback book is damn expensive (at $45.10, but Kinokuniya having it at 25% off last I saw two days back).
Still, give me the $19.90 paperback version and I will tell you what I think.
But before that happens, the movie adaptation of Goblet of Fire is a display of fine cinematography gone a little wrong when you know that your screenplay writers and adaptation crew didn't really serve up a good platter of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and good old Pumpkin Juice.
Nothing wrong with the cast and all, Radcliffe and company are still carrying off the titles characters well and I dare say the kids are definitely improving and moving more into character as the instalments go by. The Hogwarts CGI-ed grounds and towering spires are still impressive and man, those Dragons are HOT, but still I am left with an empty feeling inside and didn't quite enjoy the movie.
The reasons?
Off hand, I can think of a couple.
One of the major faults of the movie is its relative brevity. In this age when you will not even bat an eyelid anymore when you hear about three hour or more movies, Goblet of Fire's 2.5 hour screen time seems too short and it is! I mean the book is well over 500 pages if I am not wrong and there was so many details and plots that were left out that it made some parts of the movie disjointed and incoherent. It's a lucky thing I have read the book which helps since I can remember some bits of the original tale and still string the pieces together, but not for those who have not read the Rowling scrawls.
The entire tournament setup is also not that exciting and fails make me anticipate and worry about the fates of the other Champions besides only Harry (only because he's the damn lead) since the rest of the foreign students and even Cedric Diggory was so glossed over. In fact, I don't even give two hoots even if they died, which of course Cedric did in the end and I didn't really feel a thing for his demise since the entire movie he appeared like what, five times?
Conversely, I really felt sad and depressed when he died in the book because the prose simply make me feel more for him as a character.
The beginning bits about the Riddle estate was also loosely written over as well as the Quidditch World Cup sequence which was one of the memorable parts in the book. It's a pity really if they have shown the entire Bulgaria vs Ireland (if I am not wrong) match. It would be breathtaking, but I think they sunk in alot of money doing the Dragon animation that's why.
The Tri-Wizard tournament also simply degenerated into yet another Hollywood display of graphical technology and special effects widzardry (no pun intended). The Hungarian HornTail is frighteningly huge and menacing, the merfolk and those sotong creatures in the Black Lake are an absolutely horrific bunch and of course the resurrection ritual of Voldermort at the end is a visual treat but that's about it. I think I paid 8 bucks just to watch some fine computer animations and not the drama that I have come to expect from the previous Potter films. There's no growing pains and adolescent anguish here from Harry, only the feelings of crushes and a short fight with Ron. Hermione was also reduced to a role that looks really good but her sharp wit and Miss Know-It-All demeanor are somewhat diminished.
And don't get me started on Cho Chang.
To me, Cho is a really pretty girl in the books, especially since she hails from the lesser heard of Ravenclaw House. She was the one chance that Ravenclaw would be remembered and the Director had to cast Katie Leung for the role. No offence to young Katie, I think she has potential to act and she really did try to get into the role of Cho, but I think she is not that suitable for the character. Maybe it's Katie's looks (not that she is ugly, mind you, just not pretty and striking enough) that doesn't really do justice to Cho. I would have oh so wished that they used Kristen Kruek instead. Serious.
Oh well.
But still, the movie does have some redeeming factors. The visuals as I mentioned before are good and the whole feel of the franchise is still retained so Potter fans need not be so uptight over the flaws. It's too bad since Goblet of Fire is really one of the most exciting and well-written books so far (my personal fave) and it has to be presented this way which results in it being a little off-balanced and hard to understand for the non-readers while the previous ones had no such problems.
They could have just made it into a two part movie and release it a few months shy of each other a la Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, I don't mind. And I am sure there are many others out there who will share my view. But of course the Hollywood people didn't.
All things said, you guys out there should still watch it, fellow readers like Sha would still probably enjoy the show and I admit I could be a little nit-picky here since this is obviously my fave episode barring my reading of the Half-Blood Prince which I have yet to do since the hardback book is damn expensive (at $45.10, but Kinokuniya having it at 25% off last I saw two days back).
Still, give me the $19.90 paperback version and I will tell you what I think.
But before that happens, the movie adaptation of Goblet of Fire is a display of fine cinematography gone a little wrong when you know that your screenplay writers and adaptation crew didn't really serve up a good platter of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and good old Pumpkin Juice.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Potter Magic
Yay! Tonight will be trooping down to watch Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, a movie I have been waiting for a very long time since after finishing the book which I thought was the best yet of the titles released so far (bearing in mind I have yet to read The Half-Blood Prince...waiting for the paperback version).
A little disappointed that Cho Chang couldn't look a little better because I really do not think that Katie Leung is pretty but I stand corrected during the movie's screening. Maybe Hollywood magic will indeed make her into "Chio" Chang.
I cannot wait to also watch the Tri-Wizard challenges, the underwater tasks, the dragons (I think got 4 in all if my memory doesn't fail me) as well as this last challenge that involved the Maze and which the prize is actually a devious Port Key that leads Harry and Cedric Diggory to Voldermort...opps, did I give too much away?? What's a Port Key anyway? Watch this movie to find out or better yet, read the damn books, they are good!!
Ahh....Look at Hermione...
I just think Emma Watson is so darn cute, and I am not a cradle snatcher!
Only in your dreams, Ron. LOL
A little disappointed that Cho Chang couldn't look a little better because I really do not think that Katie Leung is pretty but I stand corrected during the movie's screening. Maybe Hollywood magic will indeed make her into "Chio" Chang.
I cannot wait to also watch the Tri-Wizard challenges, the underwater tasks, the dragons (I think got 4 in all if my memory doesn't fail me) as well as this last challenge that involved the Maze and which the prize is actually a devious Port Key that leads Harry and Cedric Diggory to Voldermort...opps, did I give too much away?? What's a Port Key anyway? Watch this movie to find out or better yet, read the damn books, they are good!!
Ahh....Look at Hermione...
I just think Emma Watson is so darn cute, and I am not a cradle snatcher!
Only in your dreams, Ron. LOL
Monday, November 14, 2005
Gig with Today
Just when I thought I am going to be dead stuck in the rut where i am now, here comes a wonderful freelance gig with Today when the paper's editor contacted me to write a piece about the upcoming World Cyber Games for them! Ya, I know...conflict of interest, blah, blah, balh but I don't really give a hoot lah. When a man's gotta eat, he's gotta eat and anyway, what's the harm? It's not like I am replicating something I wrote in the Mag onto the Paper.
But anyhow, the gig was originally priced at 200 bucks for 500 words. I ended doing 700+ words and got a 150 dollar increment for my efforts! What a nice surprise! I really wish and pray that I can continue to write for Today and to be frank, I do fancy my chances that they will call me back. Already, they have asked if I can do an interview at WCG for them. I told them I can try my best to fit it in amidst my full-time work schedule (don't forget I will also be covering the WCG in the Mag) and am now waiting for them to furnish me with the details.
If I get lucky, who knows, I may be in the Paper!
You are... Gluttony!
Which Sin Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
I say, heap it on!
But anyhow, the gig was originally priced at 200 bucks for 500 words. I ended doing 700+ words and got a 150 dollar increment for my efforts! What a nice surprise! I really wish and pray that I can continue to write for Today and to be frank, I do fancy my chances that they will call me back. Already, they have asked if I can do an interview at WCG for them. I told them I can try my best to fit it in amidst my full-time work schedule (don't forget I will also be covering the WCG in the Mag) and am now waiting for them to furnish me with the details.
If I get lucky, who knows, I may be in the Paper!
You are... Gluttony!
Which Sin Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
I say, heap it on!
Monday, October 31, 2005
New Place To Get Your Photos
Recently has seen me creating a Yahoo Briefcase due to the overwhelming requests for the photos of all major Moonie event. Althoug I have emailed all the guys the paasword and ID, I think I write them here for you guys to get them if you have misplaced the mail or something in the future...
Here goes:
Yahoo ID: madmoonie
Password: pimprules (hey, I created the Briefcase that's why...)
Happy downloading the photos!
PS: This briefcase can also be used to store all the rest of the photos that any one of you may have taken with your cameras. It is open and free for all Moonies to log in and upload stuff.
Enjoy!
Here goes:
Yahoo ID: madmoonie
Password: pimprules (hey, I created the Briefcase that's why...)
Happy downloading the photos!
PS: This briefcase can also be used to store all the rest of the photos that any one of you may have taken with your cameras. It is open and free for all Moonies to log in and upload stuff.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Ebay, Ebay, Ebay
I know I am rather late in these stuff but recently I have discovered the joys of Ebay and the wide array of stuff that's available for trigger happy buyers like me. In fact, if my initial purchases go through smoothly, I intend to make Ebay my de facto one stop buy all station.
Actually the stuff that can be bought are sometimes very cheap (you just have to be discerning about the prices) and are indeed well-worth the trouble to try and bid for them. Of course, some items can be bought on the spot which helps. Friends of mine would probably know that I play the Magic: The Gathering game and it's a darn expensive hobby 'cause the cards can literally cost me hundreds in a sitting. Ebay has actually some cards that I want available on the cheap and several of them can be bought on the spot! How great is that!
So if I successfully get hold of these stuff soon, Ebay will be where I will be surfing for the rest of my playing career. However, for the rest of you reading this and are familiar with the thing that is Ebay, would you kindly educate me on this Internet buying and selling creature. Will be eternally grateful!
Ok...enough about my trading habits...I must say that I am sorry that updates have once again lagged behind since I am quite bogged down with work and personal stress due to work, people at work and my impending house purchase. Feel very tired and worn out most of the time to even cough up words to type into my DyslexicPimp (TM) blog outside of working hours. Sigh, I do long for the days when we were young and life was much more unharried and grey hairs were not so rampant...but oh well, now that we have grown older and hopefully wiser, I pray that we will always continue to be there for each other and just be a phone call, tag post, MSN chat etc away if we ever need the comfort.
I must say that I still find it tough to convince myself to stay on in this place I am working at. Somehow, things seem a little change and my interactions with those people (except for a select few) have become lukewarm at best. I really don't know why but I think it has lots to do with fatigue. Maybe I am tired of my jobscope already and need a change. In fact, recently I was called to a written test and interview at Mediacorp as well as a contact at the aforementioned broadcaster has told me to email my resume to him so that other depts in Mediacorp can see if they can fit me in. If I can get in, it's definitely a great opportunity and confirm I will say good riddance to the place I am at now and begin life anew.
Man, I am such a job slut, haha. But it's really true that I cannot be at a place for too long. I get bored easily and my interests shift so it's perhaps good that I am a writer and can thus get to write about a whole spectrum of topics. It's also good for me to expand my portfolio by writing for many other publications and not just be stuck at doing game and gaming articles. In fact, it's so tiresome that the Mediacorp interviewers keep giving me the vibe that I cannot write other content besides games. I mean, come on lah, it's not like I want it that my resume is soooo full of gaming and tech editorial experience. I have been at this shit for 2 years man, what do you expect sia? And it's this precise experince with interviewers that convince me that now is the time to try to move on if not I will be stuck in this little frame and be unable to expand out as others' opinion of me will be severely limited by what they see on my resume...
Fuck.
Actually the stuff that can be bought are sometimes very cheap (you just have to be discerning about the prices) and are indeed well-worth the trouble to try and bid for them. Of course, some items can be bought on the spot which helps. Friends of mine would probably know that I play the Magic: The Gathering game and it's a darn expensive hobby 'cause the cards can literally cost me hundreds in a sitting. Ebay has actually some cards that I want available on the cheap and several of them can be bought on the spot! How great is that!
So if I successfully get hold of these stuff soon, Ebay will be where I will be surfing for the rest of my playing career. However, for the rest of you reading this and are familiar with the thing that is Ebay, would you kindly educate me on this Internet buying and selling creature. Will be eternally grateful!
Ok...enough about my trading habits...I must say that I am sorry that updates have once again lagged behind since I am quite bogged down with work and personal stress due to work, people at work and my impending house purchase. Feel very tired and worn out most of the time to even cough up words to type into my DyslexicPimp (TM) blog outside of working hours. Sigh, I do long for the days when we were young and life was much more unharried and grey hairs were not so rampant...but oh well, now that we have grown older and hopefully wiser, I pray that we will always continue to be there for each other and just be a phone call, tag post, MSN chat etc away if we ever need the comfort.
I must say that I still find it tough to convince myself to stay on in this place I am working at. Somehow, things seem a little change and my interactions with those people (except for a select few) have become lukewarm at best. I really don't know why but I think it has lots to do with fatigue. Maybe I am tired of my jobscope already and need a change. In fact, recently I was called to a written test and interview at Mediacorp as well as a contact at the aforementioned broadcaster has told me to email my resume to him so that other depts in Mediacorp can see if they can fit me in. If I can get in, it's definitely a great opportunity and confirm I will say good riddance to the place I am at now and begin life anew.
Man, I am such a job slut, haha. But it's really true that I cannot be at a place for too long. I get bored easily and my interests shift so it's perhaps good that I am a writer and can thus get to write about a whole spectrum of topics. It's also good for me to expand my portfolio by writing for many other publications and not just be stuck at doing game and gaming articles. In fact, it's so tiresome that the Mediacorp interviewers keep giving me the vibe that I cannot write other content besides games. I mean, come on lah, it's not like I want it that my resume is soooo full of gaming and tech editorial experience. I have been at this shit for 2 years man, what do you expect sia? And it's this precise experince with interviewers that convince me that now is the time to try to move on if not I will be stuck in this little frame and be unable to expand out as others' opinion of me will be severely limited by what they see on my resume...
Fuck.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Lucky 7s
7 is such an enigmatic number, it has mystical roots in the occult especially in the syllablic chanting of spells, Beckham used to have that number in Man Utd, Rugby has its 7-a-side and who can forget that gawd awful game show, The Pyramid Game, that has Lucky 7s embedded in one of the squares that the contestants can choose to open??
But here, I will dispense facts, hopes and dreams of myself in the 7s and no, you don't have to be dressed to the 9s to read it...lol (crap)
7 things that scares me:
- Spiders, ever since that damn Arachnophobia movie, I am terrified of those eight legged freaks...
- Having no money, sucky feeling when you cannot do a thing without it...
- Friends dying before me
- Days without Jo by my side
- No recognition at work
- Not seizing the days and opportunities when I see them
- Losing my handphone...(argh, the contact list!!!)
7 things I like the most:
- Traveling to exotic and historical places...!!
- Photography and snapping in the sights in micro mode!!
- Be out with Jo!!
- Be out with Moonies and my pals!!
- Magic the Gathering!!
- Speeding down the fast lanes in a car, preferably open top and me at the wheel!!
- Enjoying a cuppa while watching the world go by with easy listening tunes in the background...(I am a sap)
7 most important things in my room:
- My handphone
- My glasses
- My Magic the gathering cards, all 10 over boxes of 'em!
- My books and comics and my old school annuals (they are my memories)1
- My GameBoy Advance SP (never leave home without it)
- My digital camera
- My wallet
7 random facts about me:
- I fell down chin first from the pull-up bar during Primary 5 and needed bloody stitches!! Damn pain and the boy who pulled my legs and made me fell was ultimately caned by the discipline master the next day, wonder where is he now...
- My fastest timing for 2.4km run was a whopping 11 minutes (damn fast for my standards)
- I am a closet sucker for miniatures and models that display amazing details (think Sylvanian Families and fully painted and assembled Gundam models)
- I was nearly a comic inker and was close to becoming one when I got a proper job, well almost...
- I can hardly cycle
- I make good friends easily with girls but don't have much luck with getting on with them...
- I am a slacker by heart
7 things I plan to do before I die:
- Head on down to Old Trafford
- Visit the ruins of Egypt, Amazon, China, Europe...
- Actually owning a damn car...
- Get to know God better and on a more personal level...
- Get to know Jo better and on an even more intimate level...
- Learn to be an awesome husband, provider and dad
- Witness a sunset and sunrise in full view and capture all these with a digital camera
7 things I can do:
- Flare my nose and twitch my ears
- Sleep for 15 hours straight
- Remember songs and the years when they were played over the airwaves
- Actually liking some kids...
- Stay quietly in a spot and listen into the silence with my eyes closed
- Write well enough to actually earn money from it...
- I can really rote learn very well....hahaha, crap!!
7 things I can't do:
- Fly, turn invisible at a single thought, being faster than a speeding bullet and able to lift enormous weights
- Actually settling down and reading a book about quantum physics and relativity although I can fully appreciate CS Lewis and Bertrand Russell et al...
- Score good marks in Mathematics...blech
- Be an entrepreneur and strike it rich
- Cook
- Write a good song and play an instrument
- Draw a circle with my right hand and a square with my left
7 words I say the most:
- Nabei
- Ka-ni-na
- Chee Bye
- Motherfucker
- Dude
- Dear
- Oh my goodness...
7 celeb crushes: (This changes most of the times but let's see who's on my flava of the month list...)
- Jessica Alba (in blonde and curls)
- Denise Keller
- Gillian from the HK duo, Twins (used to be Charlene Choi...)
- Jolin Tsai (shaddup, dun laugh)
- Selena from S.H.E
- Kirsten Dunst
- Lindsay Lohan
7 people I love to see doing this:
- Dear
- Dana
- Moonies!!
- Daphne Teo (if she even gets this)
- Herman (if he has a blog, that is...)
- Don
- Eric Chan
- Denise Keller (just to read what she would write, but then again, we have 8 Days...)
But here, I will dispense facts, hopes and dreams of myself in the 7s and no, you don't have to be dressed to the 9s to read it...lol (crap)
7 things that scares me:
- Spiders, ever since that damn Arachnophobia movie, I am terrified of those eight legged freaks...
- Having no money, sucky feeling when you cannot do a thing without it...
- Friends dying before me
- Days without Jo by my side
- No recognition at work
- Not seizing the days and opportunities when I see them
- Losing my handphone...(argh, the contact list!!!)
7 things I like the most:
- Traveling to exotic and historical places...!!
- Photography and snapping in the sights in micro mode!!
- Be out with Jo!!
- Be out with Moonies and my pals!!
- Magic the Gathering!!
- Speeding down the fast lanes in a car, preferably open top and me at the wheel!!
- Enjoying a cuppa while watching the world go by with easy listening tunes in the background...(I am a sap)
7 most important things in my room:
- My handphone
- My glasses
- My Magic the gathering cards, all 10 over boxes of 'em!
- My books and comics and my old school annuals (they are my memories)1
- My GameBoy Advance SP (never leave home without it)
- My digital camera
- My wallet
7 random facts about me:
- I fell down chin first from the pull-up bar during Primary 5 and needed bloody stitches!! Damn pain and the boy who pulled my legs and made me fell was ultimately caned by the discipline master the next day, wonder where is he now...
- My fastest timing for 2.4km run was a whopping 11 minutes (damn fast for my standards)
- I am a closet sucker for miniatures and models that display amazing details (think Sylvanian Families and fully painted and assembled Gundam models)
- I was nearly a comic inker and was close to becoming one when I got a proper job, well almost...
- I can hardly cycle
- I make good friends easily with girls but don't have much luck with getting on with them...
- I am a slacker by heart
7 things I plan to do before I die:
- Head on down to Old Trafford
- Visit the ruins of Egypt, Amazon, China, Europe...
- Actually owning a damn car...
- Get to know God better and on a more personal level...
- Get to know Jo better and on an even more intimate level...
- Learn to be an awesome husband, provider and dad
- Witness a sunset and sunrise in full view and capture all these with a digital camera
7 things I can do:
- Flare my nose and twitch my ears
- Sleep for 15 hours straight
- Remember songs and the years when they were played over the airwaves
- Actually liking some kids...
- Stay quietly in a spot and listen into the silence with my eyes closed
- Write well enough to actually earn money from it...
- I can really rote learn very well....hahaha, crap!!
7 things I can't do:
- Fly, turn invisible at a single thought, being faster than a speeding bullet and able to lift enormous weights
- Actually settling down and reading a book about quantum physics and relativity although I can fully appreciate CS Lewis and Bertrand Russell et al...
- Score good marks in Mathematics...blech
- Be an entrepreneur and strike it rich
- Cook
- Write a good song and play an instrument
- Draw a circle with my right hand and a square with my left
7 words I say the most:
- Nabei
- Ka-ni-na
- Chee Bye
- Motherfucker
- Dude
- Dear
- Oh my goodness...
7 celeb crushes: (This changes most of the times but let's see who's on my flava of the month list...)
- Jessica Alba (in blonde and curls)
- Denise Keller
- Gillian from the HK duo, Twins (used to be Charlene Choi...)
- Jolin Tsai (shaddup, dun laugh)
- Selena from S.H.E
- Kirsten Dunst
- Lindsay Lohan
7 people I love to see doing this:
- Dear
- Dana
- Moonies!!
- Daphne Teo (if she even gets this)
- Herman (if he has a blog, that is...)
- Don
- Eric Chan
- Denise Keller (just to read what she would write, but then again, we have 8 Days...)
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Reasons To Stay On In Singapore...
Last read on a local forum. I present you:
The Top 15 Reasons to bloody remain in Singapore aka "Shame on You, People Who Want To Migrate!...
1. I will never get to meet so many foreigners if I migrate to Australia - if I see them in Australia, they are probably tourists and are not there to work and contribute to the country.
2. If I go, I will begin to miss the HDB flats I stay in, they are very small and easy to clean. If I go to Australia my house will be so big, I will tire myself out cleaning it!
3. I will miss the MRT & Buses. If I migrate, I'll probably have to buy a car because the public transport there is not as good. Instead of having someone drive me to my destination, I will have to drive myself around, how tiring.
4. If I migrate to another country, I'll be lost because the govt there does not tell me what to do unlike the Singapore govt.
5. There will be no NS and reservist to provide me with a break from work and forced exercise.
6. I might be given welfare when I'm out of job, that might make me lazy.
7. I might have to vote. For the past 35 years in Singapore, I never have to vote.
8. The hospitals are not crowded by dengue patients, it might be a lonely experience if I get sick and warded.
9. The govt ministers are paid only a fraction of what PAP ministers, how can I trust them with my future?
10. They allow people to protest, what happen if they do it on the street while I'm driving, I might be caught in a jam and be late.
11. Their newspapers don't give the same views as the govt, that might tire my mind trying to resolve the inconsistency.
12. I'll miss the Straits Times and Chua Mui Hoong articles.
13. I'll not get to buy pirated software.
14. I'll miss all the great govt companies like NTUC, HDB, PUB, SingTel, etc.
15. I'll miss those sensational murder stories of foreigners getting chopped to pieces and body parts left all over Singapore.
Certainly food for thought and pun fully intended indeed!
The Top 15 Reasons to bloody remain in Singapore aka "Shame on You, People Who Want To Migrate!...
1. I will never get to meet so many foreigners if I migrate to Australia - if I see them in Australia, they are probably tourists and are not there to work and contribute to the country.
2. If I go, I will begin to miss the HDB flats I stay in, they are very small and easy to clean. If I go to Australia my house will be so big, I will tire myself out cleaning it!
3. I will miss the MRT & Buses. If I migrate, I'll probably have to buy a car because the public transport there is not as good. Instead of having someone drive me to my destination, I will have to drive myself around, how tiring.
4. If I migrate to another country, I'll be lost because the govt there does not tell me what to do unlike the Singapore govt.
5. There will be no NS and reservist to provide me with a break from work and forced exercise.
6. I might be given welfare when I'm out of job, that might make me lazy.
7. I might have to vote. For the past 35 years in Singapore, I never have to vote.
8. The hospitals are not crowded by dengue patients, it might be a lonely experience if I get sick and warded.
9. The govt ministers are paid only a fraction of what PAP ministers, how can I trust them with my future?
10. They allow people to protest, what happen if they do it on the street while I'm driving, I might be caught in a jam and be late.
11. Their newspapers don't give the same views as the govt, that might tire my mind trying to resolve the inconsistency.
12. I'll miss the Straits Times and Chua Mui Hoong articles.
13. I'll not get to buy pirated software.
14. I'll miss all the great govt companies like NTUC, HDB, PUB, SingTel, etc.
15. I'll miss those sensational murder stories of foreigners getting chopped to pieces and body parts left all over Singapore.
Certainly food for thought and pun fully intended indeed!
One Hour
Just got called to lunch by my inexperienced whelp of a boss, was going to agree but after a split second of thought, decided not to when I know I cannot really click with the rest of the group anyway especially when said limelight hogger will be going as well. Might as well give him the chance to "shine" in front of the others and me a chance to do my work in peace without having to lift my head and see his mug over the table...blech.
Besides, I think I need some "me-time" and quiet. No politics, no syncophantic conversations, no talking for the sake of talking, no dragging others down because I am in a grim mood - for one hour.
Just give me that one hour, dammit!!
Besides, I think I need some "me-time" and quiet. No politics, no syncophantic conversations, no talking for the sake of talking, no dragging others down because I am in a grim mood - for one hour.
Just give me that one hour, dammit!!
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
You Shall Not Pass!!!!!!
"Dear all,
due to recent suspected security breaches, I too have decided to jump on the bandwagon and password lock my blog. For the sake of security, i shall not put my password on email here but rather sms you all the password in the next few days. Thanks alot!
Regards,
Jason :P" (excerpt from email)
Let's see how all those fuckers enter my blog. The Gates shall now be shut save for those invited to enter...(sounds so porn) but anyway, ya, I have locked the Pimp's home from further unwanted intrusions and sickening defilements from shitheads I deem as lower than the common ant.
So there, YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!! *slams walking stick on the floor...
due to recent suspected security breaches, I too have decided to jump on the bandwagon and password lock my blog. For the sake of security, i shall not put my password on email here but rather sms you all the password in the next few days. Thanks alot!
Regards,
Jason :P" (excerpt from email)
Let's see how all those fuckers enter my blog. The Gates shall now be shut save for those invited to enter...(sounds so porn) but anyway, ya, I have locked the Pimp's home from further unwanted intrusions and sickening defilements from shitheads I deem as lower than the common ant.
So there, YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!! *slams walking stick on the floor...
Monday, September 26, 2005
I Think I've Had IT!!!!
Boy am I angry today. I really beginning to hate stuff going on at work that it's affecting my moods and my productiveness. I really think I am getting slowly disregarded and ignored and my efforts not appreciated. So I ask myself, why am I continuing wasting my time around this cesspool of a career?
Anyway, me and career?? What's the connection?? At least when I am still here where I am in this bloody shithole of a company that is. I am NOT naming the company for obvious reasons. In case some motherfucking never-do-wells are reading this entry and are trying to figure out where I work so that they can send this entry to my boss. If you are one of this fuckers, I say fuck you all to Hell and back!!
I just want to write this entry to rant and get it all out. The team I am working with keeps harping on "we can make it work if we do it together" kind of bullshit that I am not seeing at work. What the hell? In fact, it's all downright bullshit lah, now I also do not really know what the fuck is my job scope because my duties seem to be eroding away faster than the threads on Tess Smith's Emmy outfit. The sub-ed is like taking all the work so that he can get the credit and seems like he is not even letting me in on important information that I need to know so that I can do my stuff. What's up with that, man? Must I be glad that I am seen as a threat enough for him to do this to me? Or am I imagining things which is kind of hard considering that many things of this nature has happened again and again.
Take for instance this time round that they (the two idiots in the management, this refers my mofo-rific sub-ed and the young, inexperienced whelp of my boss) seem to have clenched a deal to do a supplement. And they just tell everyone there and then that we need to do the supplement. I am well and fine with this but was there any prior foretelling of this with the team?
Hell no!
This seems like a small issue to others but it really isn't to me. It is a mark of disregard and lack of respect to others in the team. I mean, you can just drop us a notice that hey, a supplement might be in the works so be ready. No they don't do that, preferring to dish out last minute goodness to the rest. The best thing is me, as a part of the editorial team do not even know of this supplement project even existing. Because you all know why, I was not present at all these stupid meetings that my sub-ed and my sales guy go to. Not that I have any beef with that but at least, oh please, at least, tell me of how the meeting went and the details, 'cause after all, I am also part of the editorial team, right?? Right??
Wankers!!
Ok fine, you want to hog the work and limelight? I will let you hog it up, you bloody moron, sad-assed piece of shit.
I have alot of things to scream out but at this moment my mind is so addled that I cannot even put them all down in good old prose. Maybe I will post more about this cheebye Chinese company I am slaving away now in future posts...
So there, pathetic salarymen we are...
Anyway, me and career?? What's the connection?? At least when I am still here where I am in this bloody shithole of a company that is. I am NOT naming the company for obvious reasons. In case some motherfucking never-do-wells are reading this entry and are trying to figure out where I work so that they can send this entry to my boss. If you are one of this fuckers, I say fuck you all to Hell and back!!
I just want to write this entry to rant and get it all out. The team I am working with keeps harping on "we can make it work if we do it together" kind of bullshit that I am not seeing at work. What the hell? In fact, it's all downright bullshit lah, now I also do not really know what the fuck is my job scope because my duties seem to be eroding away faster than the threads on Tess Smith's Emmy outfit. The sub-ed is like taking all the work so that he can get the credit and seems like he is not even letting me in on important information that I need to know so that I can do my stuff. What's up with that, man? Must I be glad that I am seen as a threat enough for him to do this to me? Or am I imagining things which is kind of hard considering that many things of this nature has happened again and again.
Take for instance this time round that they (the two idiots in the management, this refers my mofo-rific sub-ed and the young, inexperienced whelp of my boss) seem to have clenched a deal to do a supplement. And they just tell everyone there and then that we need to do the supplement. I am well and fine with this but was there any prior foretelling of this with the team?
Hell no!
This seems like a small issue to others but it really isn't to me. It is a mark of disregard and lack of respect to others in the team. I mean, you can just drop us a notice that hey, a supplement might be in the works so be ready. No they don't do that, preferring to dish out last minute goodness to the rest. The best thing is me, as a part of the editorial team do not even know of this supplement project even existing. Because you all know why, I was not present at all these stupid meetings that my sub-ed and my sales guy go to. Not that I have any beef with that but at least, oh please, at least, tell me of how the meeting went and the details, 'cause after all, I am also part of the editorial team, right?? Right??
Wankers!!
Ok fine, you want to hog the work and limelight? I will let you hog it up, you bloody moron, sad-assed piece of shit.
I have alot of things to scream out but at this moment my mind is so addled that I cannot even put them all down in good old prose. Maybe I will post more about this cheebye Chinese company I am slaving away now in future posts...
So there, pathetic salarymen we are...
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Torn...
Sigh, just got a touch of the IPod Nano from a colleague who is holding on to a review set. Cannot say that I completely like the feel of the thing, it felt light (duh, since it's so small), well, not in terms of weight, but rather solidness as the Bengs would put it. Design wise it's an exactly clone of the IPod but slightly longer and narrower.
But I loved the Click Wheel though...oh well. People have been telling me that the price to buy the Nano makes it a rip-off and when the battery of the IPod dies then what? Oh man, I need a portable entertainment thingie coz my discman met its untimely demise at the hands of my sister.
Maybe I should look into the PSP which has a ceramic white design now (I absolutely heart white)...what do you all think?
But I loved the Click Wheel though...oh well. People have been telling me that the price to buy the Nano makes it a rip-off and when the battery of the IPod dies then what? Oh man, I need a portable entertainment thingie coz my discman met its untimely demise at the hands of my sister.
Maybe I should look into the PSP which has a ceramic white design now (I absolutely heart white)...what do you all think?
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Nano, Nano, Jolly Good Fellow!
Wah! Apple and Steve Jobs have to go and tempt me with another iteration of their simplistic, yet oh so cool, titular MP3 gizmo! Siao man, the Ipod Nano is nuts because it's what I have always wanted and cannot get...
Christmas is coming, anyone can get me the Nano??? :P
Monday, September 12, 2005
IQ? What IQ??
| Your IQ Is 100 |
 Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Above Average Your General Knowledge is Above Average |
Haha, Mona, you are not alone in being an illogical person. Now, you can add me to the club!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
A Snoozing Cat's On The Bench, All's Right With The World...
Was strolling down my neighbourhood with Joanne the other day and chanced upon a sight that I though would make a good picture, so there I was whipping out my camera and snapping a cat on a bench. It was all good...
PS (useless fact alert!): I think these pictures are wallpaper sized so feel free to adorn your desktops with them. In fact I like the first shot which incidentally is now my wallpaper on my office PC...
Friday, September 02, 2005
Kelian (Chinese for pitiful) Weilian and a dead Husky
I know I have not been updating regularly nowadays save to post up chapters of my ongoing fiction that is still seeing print, thank goodness. Just got praised by my deputy editor for the nice action-packed bits of prose in the September chapter which will be posted up here but not so soon. In the rare case that you would like to know the latest happenings, please do attempt to get issues of the mag I am writing for.
Since there was a debacle over the issue of me naming the place I am working at, I shall not mention the title of the free publication I am working for. Just know that it's basically about games and it's available in Singapore.
Anyhow, if you don't already know this, the darn Project Superstar has ended and the winner has been unveiled not too long ago. Yes people, the blind guy won and the supposedly pretty ex-stewardess did not. How is it so? Let me tell you why. It's simply pretty much due to the fact that we do not get real-life handicapped basker done good cases happening in our local entertainment scene and the viewers here, like those bloodthirsty Coliseum spectators of old are always baying for the fresh new angle to keep them entertained.
I kid you not. I would give in to the fact that the guy has talent and he could in fact sing (although I have heard talks that he is not very versatile) but in the real sense of it all, who cares? All we are interested to hear about is how he managed to overcome his disability and has come forward to show to us, every normal mother's son, that if you have the damn will, there will be the damn way. More interesting in fact is the fact that he has indeed managed to win over better-looking, more marketable wannabes to clinch the crown.
Not trying to be mean here but I sense a certain degree of media manipulation. I mean, there is an entire library of literature being written about this guy, man! And you can be damn sure that there will be lots to follow in the wake of his 'phenomenal' victory over prettier than thou, sweet young thing Kelly.
My point?
My point is that sad to say, I see no real future potential for this Kelvin, talents and all. You wanna market him in Taiwan? Sorry, but it's a pretty boy haven there what with groups like 5566 and a whole pantheon of immaculately made-up boys ruling the roost. And if you wanna market him like Ocean Ou De Yang (who should be an ugly jock, by the way), sorry hor, but no go, since we already knew how he looks like, so the whole crap about talents before looks is inapplicable.
Maybe this marketing strategy will go well with the Taiwanese audiences but what makes you, Play Music, think that he can do it overseas when obviously our most successful export for years now since Kit Chan in 1993 has got to be Steph Sun and she's not even marketed by you?
Look at Joi Chua and you will know what I mean. The girl's still practically slaving away here, trying to make it so that maybe she will invited to sing at the 2006 NDP perhaps??
Consumers are wicked and fickle bastards who only care for the 'now'. They have no qualms about discarding the unfanciful come month end and move on to newer flavors of the next moon. So will it be for Kelvin, I guess. Though, once again, I must reiterate that I respect the guy for what he is doing and has tried to do but in the end, I think he is just a helpless pawn in a TV station's efforts in boosting ratings.
You may say that the viewer's votes count for 70% of the results but dare you to say that all the votes for Kelvin are based on pure musical merit? The almost daily drumming of how Kelvin came to be how he is today also plays a damn good part. Just look at the recent spate of nationalistic NDP programmes (about not running away when you were part of the contingent during that stormy 1968 NDP, wtf?) in the wake of all the furore over not being able to elect our own president and you will know what I mean. People are very easily influenced, whether they know it or not.
Oh well, in any case, Kelian Weilian won and there's no changing the fact. I just hope the industry treats him equal and not resort to using heartstrings marketing to sell this fella. That would be unfair and downright underhand, but what do I know? I am only a writer.
Enough about Weilian
The next point of rant is going to be short. If you are the fucking wanker who let you Siberian Husky die in the sun and not giving it water AND you happen to be reading this, I curse you and I despise you and your fricking inhumane way of letting that poor mutt go like that! Nabei Cheebye!
It's damn crazy nowadays I tell you. I thought such atrocities will not happen in Singapore where the furthest people would go is to staple cats' ears and kick them to death. But leaving a dog whose natural habitat is a cold one out in the sun to waste away slowly is sick. The poor dog died with blood foaming at the mouth leh. Please lah, you wouldn't do this to a fellow human being, why do this to a poor dog that despite its size, cannot really fight against the cruel nature of Man?? May the fucker burn in Hell for this.
Heard this being mentioned on Class 95 this morning and got really upset. One caller called up and remarked that there should be a document that people need to sign in order to own a pet. But like how the Flying Dutchman remarked after that, I too feel that if such a policy is being implemented, then Singapore would be such a sad and funny place, don't you all think so?
Don't people here have a slightest bit of decency left? Must everything that we need to do and every value that we should be upholding be governed by that signature on the dotted line or the perennial fear of that lofty fine being imposed on us?
We may have one of the best materialistic standards in the world but we sorely lack the heartware. Are we going down the path of depraved Japan where young kids shoot their classmates and sniff panties? I really do not know.
I feel so sorry for the Husky, really I am.
This is depressing.
Since there was a debacle over the issue of me naming the place I am working at, I shall not mention the title of the free publication I am working for. Just know that it's basically about games and it's available in Singapore.
Anyhow, if you don't already know this, the darn Project Superstar has ended and the winner has been unveiled not too long ago. Yes people, the blind guy won and the supposedly pretty ex-stewardess did not. How is it so? Let me tell you why. It's simply pretty much due to the fact that we do not get real-life handicapped basker done good cases happening in our local entertainment scene and the viewers here, like those bloodthirsty Coliseum spectators of old are always baying for the fresh new angle to keep them entertained.
I kid you not. I would give in to the fact that the guy has talent and he could in fact sing (although I have heard talks that he is not very versatile) but in the real sense of it all, who cares? All we are interested to hear about is how he managed to overcome his disability and has come forward to show to us, every normal mother's son, that if you have the damn will, there will be the damn way. More interesting in fact is the fact that he has indeed managed to win over better-looking, more marketable wannabes to clinch the crown.
Not trying to be mean here but I sense a certain degree of media manipulation. I mean, there is an entire library of literature being written about this guy, man! And you can be damn sure that there will be lots to follow in the wake of his 'phenomenal' victory over prettier than thou, sweet young thing Kelly.
My point?
My point is that sad to say, I see no real future potential for this Kelvin, talents and all. You wanna market him in Taiwan? Sorry, but it's a pretty boy haven there what with groups like 5566 and a whole pantheon of immaculately made-up boys ruling the roost. And if you wanna market him like Ocean Ou De Yang (who should be an ugly jock, by the way), sorry hor, but no go, since we already knew how he looks like, so the whole crap about talents before looks is inapplicable.
Maybe this marketing strategy will go well with the Taiwanese audiences but what makes you, Play Music, think that he can do it overseas when obviously our most successful export for years now since Kit Chan in 1993 has got to be Steph Sun and she's not even marketed by you?
Look at Joi Chua and you will know what I mean. The girl's still practically slaving away here, trying to make it so that maybe she will invited to sing at the 2006 NDP perhaps??
Consumers are wicked and fickle bastards who only care for the 'now'. They have no qualms about discarding the unfanciful come month end and move on to newer flavors of the next moon. So will it be for Kelvin, I guess. Though, once again, I must reiterate that I respect the guy for what he is doing and has tried to do but in the end, I think he is just a helpless pawn in a TV station's efforts in boosting ratings.
You may say that the viewer's votes count for 70% of the results but dare you to say that all the votes for Kelvin are based on pure musical merit? The almost daily drumming of how Kelvin came to be how he is today also plays a damn good part. Just look at the recent spate of nationalistic NDP programmes (about not running away when you were part of the contingent during that stormy 1968 NDP, wtf?) in the wake of all the furore over not being able to elect our own president and you will know what I mean. People are very easily influenced, whether they know it or not.
Oh well, in any case, Kelian Weilian won and there's no changing the fact. I just hope the industry treats him equal and not resort to using heartstrings marketing to sell this fella. That would be unfair and downright underhand, but what do I know? I am only a writer.
Enough about Weilian
The next point of rant is going to be short. If you are the fucking wanker who let you Siberian Husky die in the sun and not giving it water AND you happen to be reading this, I curse you and I despise you and your fricking inhumane way of letting that poor mutt go like that! Nabei Cheebye!
It's damn crazy nowadays I tell you. I thought such atrocities will not happen in Singapore where the furthest people would go is to staple cats' ears and kick them to death. But leaving a dog whose natural habitat is a cold one out in the sun to waste away slowly is sick. The poor dog died with blood foaming at the mouth leh. Please lah, you wouldn't do this to a fellow human being, why do this to a poor dog that despite its size, cannot really fight against the cruel nature of Man?? May the fucker burn in Hell for this.
Heard this being mentioned on Class 95 this morning and got really upset. One caller called up and remarked that there should be a document that people need to sign in order to own a pet. But like how the Flying Dutchman remarked after that, I too feel that if such a policy is being implemented, then Singapore would be such a sad and funny place, don't you all think so?
Don't people here have a slightest bit of decency left? Must everything that we need to do and every value that we should be upholding be governed by that signature on the dotted line or the perennial fear of that lofty fine being imposed on us?
We may have one of the best materialistic standards in the world but we sorely lack the heartware. Are we going down the path of depraved Japan where young kids shoot their classmates and sniff panties? I really do not know.
I feel so sorry for the Husky, really I am.
This is depressing.
Monday, August 29, 2005
An Acolyte's Dream Chapter 9: Shadows on the Sand
Rune Midgard Anthology – An Acolyte’s Dream
The carriages ambled along the sandy paths before breaking over the blazing horizon, revealing the city of Morocc, a structure of incongruity amidst the golden, tawny skin of Nature. The city is centuries old and shows its age, walls that were previously painted and well chiseled were mellowed with years of bellowing winds, like fading prints of an extremely archaic text. Barely legible, but if you look closely, you will discover its greatness and majesty. Tellerin and Elihu Majien, the young Izlude-based mage, has been traveling on the Great Sograt Way for a week before the caravan trundled through Morocc’s arched gateway and into the desert city…
The parting…
As Tellerin’s weathered boots strode into the capital city of one of Rune-Midgard’s most inhospitable regions, the noises of the busy markets and thoroughfares of Morocc caught up with the young acolyte. Everywhere he went, people were either buying or selling. The market place of Morocc was an open-air establishment smack in the center of the sprawling city – like a bald spot surrounded by structures that sought overshadow it. It was as if the city is trying to cover up its need for commercial success.
Here, the haggling was the fiercest as merchants fought their daily battles peddling their items which they tout as indispensable. Further away, Tellerin heard the dull toll of the prayer bell, signaling the start of an afternoon worship for the Morocc faithful – yet another stark contrast between the religious and the atheistic infidels caught up with the allure of the next gold coin. Tellerin vaguely remembered a history class he took while he was in the Basilica when he was told about the crusades of the Pronterean Church in response to the savagery and paganism in the deserts.
“I wonder if it was all worth it? Did we even managed to change anything?” wondered Tellerin under his breath.
The Oasis City’s infrastructure was a convoluted tangle of narrow streets, alleys and dank passageways that rank of dried vomit of drunk customers who visit the many watering holes located in the seedier sectors of the city. Having made the sale of spirits and liquor illegal on religious grounds by the fifth Morocc king, the many taverns and pubs were driven underground after several deadly raids that saw quite a number of heads rolling. And when people see that, they start fearing for theirs. Of course, not wanting to pass up this profitable avenue, Morocc’s dangerous underworld soon took over and managed to thrive even better since the sale of alcohol almost always complements a flesh trade which the gangs gamely introduced.
“Spiffy place we are at, eh? It’s almost as if the idea of law has never really got to this place,” sniffed Elihu, as he caught the stale scent of yet another street urchin, sprawled across the cobblestones, dead to the world.
“The people here have their own laws and their way of life, Elihu. Sometimes I feel that we may have weighed too much of our own judgment upon these people.”
“Not until if you find your pocket picked…like about now,” whispered the mage as he motioned at a young girl who was creeping up to Tellerin, dagger at the ready while the acolyte’s slender purse strings were exposed.
“Bracchium Pactum,” muttered Elihu as a wave of tangible static materialized the instant the last syllable was spoken. The girl’s arm immediately convulsed and went stiff at the arm-locking spell, eliciting a muffled cry from the would-be petty thief. “Please sirs, I am hungry,” whimpered the pickpocket.
“Nothing wrong with that but I tell you what, I will give you a coin if you will unhand the other wallet you have taken from that gentleman over there if you please,” smiled Elihu. The girl obeyed immediately.
“So you see, idealism has no place in Morocc or the world for that matter. It’s either you or the other guy. Who will you choose, my religious friend?”
Tellerin was thought hard. The reality of the world was slowly catching up with him and for the first time in his journey, he yearned for the simple, sheltered cloisters he once wandered. “In that case, I will still want to find a way to ensure that both of us do not die, Elihu.” Tellerin spoke with such resoluteness that shocked even himself; an inattentive theological student speaking like this? HoJin would be proud.
The two friends wandered through the streets before rounding up at the transit service for outgoing travelers. ”The time has now come to our parting, Tellerin, for I need to hasten to Geffen. But we will no doubt meet again,” mused Elihu as he stepped onto the steps of a carriage,” and who knows, perhaps by then you will find out if idealism still works for you. C’mon, you little green bit of reptile, up you go!” Elihu’s pet drake winced at the idea of yet another long trip.
“I am sure, Elihu,” waved Tellerin. “Farewell.”
As the mage got on the carriage and waved back, he noticed that Tellerin was gone. “Strange fellow he is, idealistic and always in a rush.”
Unbeknownst to Elihu, Tellerin has already started on his search for a particular rogue who made off with his medallion. In fact, the mage had just missed the moment when the acolyte thought he saw a familiar red-robed figure disappearing into the crowds…
A new character sprite of the Monk's Advanced Class - The Champion on RO's latest Einbroch expansion!
The carriages ambled along the sandy paths before breaking over the blazing horizon, revealing the city of Morocc, a structure of incongruity amidst the golden, tawny skin of Nature. The city is centuries old and shows its age, walls that were previously painted and well chiseled were mellowed with years of bellowing winds, like fading prints of an extremely archaic text. Barely legible, but if you look closely, you will discover its greatness and majesty. Tellerin and Elihu Majien, the young Izlude-based mage, has been traveling on the Great Sograt Way for a week before the caravan trundled through Morocc’s arched gateway and into the desert city…
The parting…
As Tellerin’s weathered boots strode into the capital city of one of Rune-Midgard’s most inhospitable regions, the noises of the busy markets and thoroughfares of Morocc caught up with the young acolyte. Everywhere he went, people were either buying or selling. The market place of Morocc was an open-air establishment smack in the center of the sprawling city – like a bald spot surrounded by structures that sought overshadow it. It was as if the city is trying to cover up its need for commercial success.
Here, the haggling was the fiercest as merchants fought their daily battles peddling their items which they tout as indispensable. Further away, Tellerin heard the dull toll of the prayer bell, signaling the start of an afternoon worship for the Morocc faithful – yet another stark contrast between the religious and the atheistic infidels caught up with the allure of the next gold coin. Tellerin vaguely remembered a history class he took while he was in the Basilica when he was told about the crusades of the Pronterean Church in response to the savagery and paganism in the deserts.
“I wonder if it was all worth it? Did we even managed to change anything?” wondered Tellerin under his breath.
The Oasis City’s infrastructure was a convoluted tangle of narrow streets, alleys and dank passageways that rank of dried vomit of drunk customers who visit the many watering holes located in the seedier sectors of the city. Having made the sale of spirits and liquor illegal on religious grounds by the fifth Morocc king, the many taverns and pubs were driven underground after several deadly raids that saw quite a number of heads rolling. And when people see that, they start fearing for theirs. Of course, not wanting to pass up this profitable avenue, Morocc’s dangerous underworld soon took over and managed to thrive even better since the sale of alcohol almost always complements a flesh trade which the gangs gamely introduced.
“Spiffy place we are at, eh? It’s almost as if the idea of law has never really got to this place,” sniffed Elihu, as he caught the stale scent of yet another street urchin, sprawled across the cobblestones, dead to the world.
“The people here have their own laws and their way of life, Elihu. Sometimes I feel that we may have weighed too much of our own judgment upon these people.”
“Not until if you find your pocket picked…like about now,” whispered the mage as he motioned at a young girl who was creeping up to Tellerin, dagger at the ready while the acolyte’s slender purse strings were exposed.
“Bracchium Pactum,” muttered Elihu as a wave of tangible static materialized the instant the last syllable was spoken. The girl’s arm immediately convulsed and went stiff at the arm-locking spell, eliciting a muffled cry from the would-be petty thief. “Please sirs, I am hungry,” whimpered the pickpocket.
“Nothing wrong with that but I tell you what, I will give you a coin if you will unhand the other wallet you have taken from that gentleman over there if you please,” smiled Elihu. The girl obeyed immediately.
“So you see, idealism has no place in Morocc or the world for that matter. It’s either you or the other guy. Who will you choose, my religious friend?”
Tellerin was thought hard. The reality of the world was slowly catching up with him and for the first time in his journey, he yearned for the simple, sheltered cloisters he once wandered. “In that case, I will still want to find a way to ensure that both of us do not die, Elihu.” Tellerin spoke with such resoluteness that shocked even himself; an inattentive theological student speaking like this? HoJin would be proud.
The two friends wandered through the streets before rounding up at the transit service for outgoing travelers. ”The time has now come to our parting, Tellerin, for I need to hasten to Geffen. But we will no doubt meet again,” mused Elihu as he stepped onto the steps of a carriage,” and who knows, perhaps by then you will find out if idealism still works for you. C’mon, you little green bit of reptile, up you go!” Elihu’s pet drake winced at the idea of yet another long trip.
“I am sure, Elihu,” waved Tellerin. “Farewell.”
As the mage got on the carriage and waved back, he noticed that Tellerin was gone. “Strange fellow he is, idealistic and always in a rush.”
Unbeknownst to Elihu, Tellerin has already started on his search for a particular rogue who made off with his medallion. In fact, the mage had just missed the moment when the acolyte thought he saw a familiar red-robed figure disappearing into the crowds…
A new character sprite of the Monk's Advanced Class - The Champion on RO's latest Einbroch expansion!
Friday, August 26, 2005
A Bug's Life
Got this from Mona's blog...
You're the YELLOW JACKET! You tend to lash out at
everybody, even your friends. A lot of people
resent you because of your temper,
agressiveness and jealousy, so maybe you should
learn to relax and stop thinking that the world
is trying to screw you over. It's hard for you
to make new friends and you don't seem to care
about others feelings very well. Be glad that
you have friends who accept you and all your
obvious flaws. You'd be friends with the
SPIDER.
What Kind of Insect Are You? (Pictures!)
brought to you by Quizilla
Yes, I am grateful, you all out there know I love you all lah! :D
Here's another one:
Security.
You love because love makes you feel safe.You are
afraid to be alone. if that one person is
there, you feel secure.You are moslty
interested in long term relationships with
people you have known for long time.You are
most likely to fall in love with a best friend.
Why do you love? (awesome pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
Hmmm, I think it's true to a considerable extent...
You're the YELLOW JACKET! You tend to lash out at
everybody, even your friends. A lot of people
resent you because of your temper,
agressiveness and jealousy, so maybe you should
learn to relax and stop thinking that the world
is trying to screw you over. It's hard for you
to make new friends and you don't seem to care
about others feelings very well. Be glad that
you have friends who accept you and all your
obvious flaws. You'd be friends with the
SPIDER.
What Kind of Insect Are You? (Pictures!)
brought to you by Quizilla
Yes, I am grateful, you all out there know I love you all lah! :D
Here's another one:
Security.
You love because love makes you feel safe.You are
afraid to be alone. if that one person is
there, you feel secure.You are moslty
interested in long term relationships with
people you have known for long time.You are
most likely to fall in love with a best friend.
Why do you love? (awesome pics)
brought to you by Quizilla
Hmmm, I think it's true to a considerable extent...
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
An Acolyte's Dream Chapter 8: The Broken Sword
Rune Midgard Anthology – An Acolyte’s Dream
Previously, Tamarig the shepherd boy having located his lost sheep, had to contend with two Argiopes – the fierce predators of the Mjolnir range, in a secluded lair. Just when he was about to be overwhelmed, the sudden appearance of his father saved the boy’s life along with the revelation that his father was actually a skilled swordsman with a secret. A secret that will change the life of Tamarig forever.
…Unfortunately it was too late as the barbed tail of the assailant struck the older man’s arm, no doubt injecting its deadly poison into his body. But the Tamarig’s father was not to be defeated, he swung the broken sword backwards with such finesse that no shepherd could muster and lob the head of the Argiope cleanly from the rest of the body. The wound was so clean that no ichor spilled. Spent, the older man collapsed as Tamarig rushed towards his father…
The Bloodline of Ulric
As Tamarig rushed to the crumpled heap that is his father’s body, a thousand thoughts raced through the boy’s mind. How is it that he did not know that his father was such a skilled swordsman? Why did his father hide such a fact from him, his only son? And why, in all these years, his father refused to help defend the village which was constantly being threatened by the presence of mountain bandits? Was it because he was worried of letting his anomaly of a weapon show? Was this why there was always a locked chest in the room of his father that he can never be allowed near to?
“Father, please don’t die on me,” whimpered Tamarig as he cradled his father’s head in his hands. The relationship between father and son was never close but it was not so distant that Tamarig does not feel a tinge of impending loss now that his father’s life was on the line, for the inevitability of it all was clear. Death would come. There was no cure for the venom of the Argiope, at least not when the nearest clerical outpost was miles away.
“Listen son, my end is nigh, and it’s time that you have to take up the mantle of our clan. You are the elder son of the firstborn of the House of Ulric. I am a rune knight and you will be one as well, you must know the truth of our lineage now,” spoke his father through gritted teeth.
“R..rune Knight?”
“Yes, we were the keepers of Mysteltain, the sword of Baldur, the first Rune Knight of our clan. During the Age of Chaos, it was said that Baldur was given the sword by Freyja, the Goddess of the Valkyries herself as a gift for beating back the ever-encroaching darkness wrought by the host of giants and demons from the depths of Niflheim. And along with the sword, Freyja bestowed upon Baldur longevity beyond the span of mortals as well as the most precious boon of all, the gift of the Valhallan technique, a sword skill that allowed you to kill and yet draw no blood, using a small part of our immortality as a price to kill and defend the peace.
Thus, the gift of long life to us is a double-edged sword, and the Valhallan is not to be foolishly displayed for personal glory. For only when you need to defend something that is close to your heart, should you use it, and when you do, a part of you dies with it.
Since then, our clan has safeguarded the peace of the borders of Rune-Midgard for thousands of years, often in the guise of rangers, shepherds and hunters. That was long before the time when the shade of evil arose over the ruins of Glast Heim, one of the chief cities that stood during the wars of the Age of Chaos and it still stands today, haunted by a nameless evil. The host of Glast Heim worked in unseen ways and poisoned the hearts of Men, sowing discord and distrust towards our clan of Valhallan swordsmen, the ones who have defended them for eons. The conflict grew and we were unwelcome in the world of mortal men. Being shunned, our clan was driven underground.
And so, two centuries were to pass before the might of Glast Heim mustered enough and poured forth from their foul gates under the leadership of the Necromancer and Men were sorely overwhelmed. Brajan the Bear-Shouldered, holder of Mysteltain then, rode out with his army and confronted the dark lord but alas, he was slain and Baldur’s sword was sundered into four pieces. But the Necromancer was broken as well in body and spirit and he fled back into his city. The shards were taken up since by the four sons of Brajan and the House was further fragmented into four tribes as each of the sons claimed his birthright over the House although the eldest son should have been given the sole inheritance of the House.
Thus, Baldur’s legacy is no more as we faded into the obscurity of time, broken by our own internal feuds. Men still distrust us, they still fear the Valhallan and its powers and fear multiplies, egged on by suspicion that we will take the place of them. That is why I chose to live as a simple shepherd all these years, choosing to try and forget our responsibilities of our clan and our hopes of reunification.
For it is said amongst us, the day that the Mysteltain is rejoined shall be the day that Baldur’s light be revealed. The legacy must not die in my hands. Take up the sword shard I have and seek out the three others; for you are the direct descendent of the eldest son of Brajan and that is why we hold the hilt. Go and seek out the tribes of Sessrummir, Bengulf and Rawndor and get them to hand over their shards and swear fealty to you, for upon you should the rule of the House of Ulric lie upon. Leave the village, speak no further of details of my demise. Your life is not to be like mine,” whispered Tamarig’s father in his ear.
“Father, I…”
“Go…there is no…time, the shadow draws on once more while I seek rest in Baldur’s halls,” spluttered the old man as the venom worked its course, throwing Tamarig into the depths of loneliness. Suddenly, the cave seemed more cavernous than it was.
Standing up over the body of his father, Tamarig gripped the hilt of Mysteltain and dashed down the mountain in tears. He needed to know how to use the Valhallan and the secrets must surely lie within the locked chest in his father’s room. But first he needed to rest, he needed to cry; to cry for a boy whose life has been overturned in a single night.
A female Crusader
Previously, Tamarig the shepherd boy having located his lost sheep, had to contend with two Argiopes – the fierce predators of the Mjolnir range, in a secluded lair. Just when he was about to be overwhelmed, the sudden appearance of his father saved the boy’s life along with the revelation that his father was actually a skilled swordsman with a secret. A secret that will change the life of Tamarig forever.
…Unfortunately it was too late as the barbed tail of the assailant struck the older man’s arm, no doubt injecting its deadly poison into his body. But the Tamarig’s father was not to be defeated, he swung the broken sword backwards with such finesse that no shepherd could muster and lob the head of the Argiope cleanly from the rest of the body. The wound was so clean that no ichor spilled. Spent, the older man collapsed as Tamarig rushed towards his father…
The Bloodline of Ulric
As Tamarig rushed to the crumpled heap that is his father’s body, a thousand thoughts raced through the boy’s mind. How is it that he did not know that his father was such a skilled swordsman? Why did his father hide such a fact from him, his only son? And why, in all these years, his father refused to help defend the village which was constantly being threatened by the presence of mountain bandits? Was it because he was worried of letting his anomaly of a weapon show? Was this why there was always a locked chest in the room of his father that he can never be allowed near to?
“Father, please don’t die on me,” whimpered Tamarig as he cradled his father’s head in his hands. The relationship between father and son was never close but it was not so distant that Tamarig does not feel a tinge of impending loss now that his father’s life was on the line, for the inevitability of it all was clear. Death would come. There was no cure for the venom of the Argiope, at least not when the nearest clerical outpost was miles away.
“Listen son, my end is nigh, and it’s time that you have to take up the mantle of our clan. You are the elder son of the firstborn of the House of Ulric. I am a rune knight and you will be one as well, you must know the truth of our lineage now,” spoke his father through gritted teeth.
“R..rune Knight?”
“Yes, we were the keepers of Mysteltain, the sword of Baldur, the first Rune Knight of our clan. During the Age of Chaos, it was said that Baldur was given the sword by Freyja, the Goddess of the Valkyries herself as a gift for beating back the ever-encroaching darkness wrought by the host of giants and demons from the depths of Niflheim. And along with the sword, Freyja bestowed upon Baldur longevity beyond the span of mortals as well as the most precious boon of all, the gift of the Valhallan technique, a sword skill that allowed you to kill and yet draw no blood, using a small part of our immortality as a price to kill and defend the peace.
Thus, the gift of long life to us is a double-edged sword, and the Valhallan is not to be foolishly displayed for personal glory. For only when you need to defend something that is close to your heart, should you use it, and when you do, a part of you dies with it.
Since then, our clan has safeguarded the peace of the borders of Rune-Midgard for thousands of years, often in the guise of rangers, shepherds and hunters. That was long before the time when the shade of evil arose over the ruins of Glast Heim, one of the chief cities that stood during the wars of the Age of Chaos and it still stands today, haunted by a nameless evil. The host of Glast Heim worked in unseen ways and poisoned the hearts of Men, sowing discord and distrust towards our clan of Valhallan swordsmen, the ones who have defended them for eons. The conflict grew and we were unwelcome in the world of mortal men. Being shunned, our clan was driven underground.
And so, two centuries were to pass before the might of Glast Heim mustered enough and poured forth from their foul gates under the leadership of the Necromancer and Men were sorely overwhelmed. Brajan the Bear-Shouldered, holder of Mysteltain then, rode out with his army and confronted the dark lord but alas, he was slain and Baldur’s sword was sundered into four pieces. But the Necromancer was broken as well in body and spirit and he fled back into his city. The shards were taken up since by the four sons of Brajan and the House was further fragmented into four tribes as each of the sons claimed his birthright over the House although the eldest son should have been given the sole inheritance of the House.
Thus, Baldur’s legacy is no more as we faded into the obscurity of time, broken by our own internal feuds. Men still distrust us, they still fear the Valhallan and its powers and fear multiplies, egged on by suspicion that we will take the place of them. That is why I chose to live as a simple shepherd all these years, choosing to try and forget our responsibilities of our clan and our hopes of reunification.
For it is said amongst us, the day that the Mysteltain is rejoined shall be the day that Baldur’s light be revealed. The legacy must not die in my hands. Take up the sword shard I have and seek out the three others; for you are the direct descendent of the eldest son of Brajan and that is why we hold the hilt. Go and seek out the tribes of Sessrummir, Bengulf and Rawndor and get them to hand over their shards and swear fealty to you, for upon you should the rule of the House of Ulric lie upon. Leave the village, speak no further of details of my demise. Your life is not to be like mine,” whispered Tamarig’s father in his ear.
“Father, I…”
“Go…there is no…time, the shadow draws on once more while I seek rest in Baldur’s halls,” spluttered the old man as the venom worked its course, throwing Tamarig into the depths of loneliness. Suddenly, the cave seemed more cavernous than it was.
Standing up over the body of his father, Tamarig gripped the hilt of Mysteltain and dashed down the mountain in tears. He needed to know how to use the Valhallan and the secrets must surely lie within the locked chest in his father’s room. But first he needed to rest, he needed to cry; to cry for a boy whose life has been overturned in a single night.
A female Crusader
An Acolyte's Dream Chapter 7: A Shepherd Boy
Rune Midgard Anthology – An Acolyte’s Dream
The tales of the two heroes who will be appearing in the tale of Tellerin continues and ends this month with the second of the two. Hailing from the mountainous reaches of the Mjolnir Range is a common shepherd boy whose fate will take him away from his mundane life and make him one of the most celebrated legends of the continent. Here is his tale...
“You are just a shepherd boy!”
In the village of Dale near the mountainous regions of Mjolnir, lived a boy named Tamarig and like his father and his father’s father, he was a shepherd. But Tamarig was a dreamer of a boy, he dreamt of being a great warrior of equal worth, committing wild deeds of bravery and traveling the wide expanse of the world that the rest say lies just beyond the next peak. Most of all, Tamarig dreamt of joining the Pronterean Crusaders, a troop of elite soldiers who had the chance to battle fantastic creatures and defend Rune Midgard and keep the peace. Unlike him, the only peace he kept was between his flock and the creatures he fought were nothing more than a few cowardly foxes which tried to prey on his sheep.
However, his father and the village elders always told him the same phrase over and over again (and often with a note of finality), “You are just a shepherd boy, what use have the Crusaders have of you? Moreover, they only accept boys of royal birth, what are you in their eyes? You are only just a shepherd boy, be content and be done with it.”
But Tamarig was not perturbed by all these talk, if anything, it made him even more fired up through the defeatist words of the village wise (even his own father (!), how could he discourage his son like this, he thought), who in his opinion, only thought of how to make it to the next day and lived each day seeking only for the minimal. “I will break the mould”, muttered Tamarig to himself, but every time the youth thought of breaking the mould; life’s drudgery sunk in and drew him back into its folds. And many years would pass before something happened that changed Tamarig’s life completely…
The lost sheep
It was another one of those days that Tamarig took his flock of sheep out grazing along the Northern reaches of the Mjolnir Range where it is not an uncommon sight to see magnificent bluffs, cliffs and huge granite and sandstone structures all touched with the widest of grasslands that the eye could see. And hugging the entire strip of fields where Tamarig’s sheep grazed was Mount Frejya which was a whopping 15,000 feet in height and towered over the village of Dale at its foot.
However this time, he also took his friend, Belegund, along as he was not keen to spend his time alone in the hills. Now unlike Tamarig, Belegund was not a shepherd but the son of the local blacksmith who was only too glad to shoo his son away from the heated anvils for Belegund was an inquisitive boy; and someone who kept asking questions while his father hammered away was not something the sire of Belegund wished to endure the whole day. Furthermore, Belegund was not of age to be near anywhere in the smithy.
“At least I could use some conversation,” thought Tamarig.
And it was in the cool of the day when Tamarig set out to reclaim his sheep before he took them back that he discovered that one sheep was missing. Fearing that his father would be angered for the loss of livestock, Tamarig left Belegund to guard the other sheep while he immediately sought out to locate the missing sheep even though the skies were rapidly darkening. Stumbling upon the scrubby upper reaches of the highlands, Tamarig searched the nearby vicinity where he knew the lost sheep could go and through sheer experience and luck, Tamarig soon heard the bleeting of the sheep,
Smiling to himself for his lucky find he stepped into what seemed to be a cavernous cave that he has not seen before. Stepping into the darkness, Tamarig’s took a minute to adjust and spied his sheep cowering at the far end of the cave. The animal seemingly had a broken foot but how could an animal with difficulty walking stumbled on this cave troubled Tamarig and the boy had his guard up. Clutching his shepherd staff, the youth walked gingerly towards his injured livestock while speaking in soft tones to calm the animal. A thousands thoughts were racing in his mind. Could this be the work of mountain brigands? Wolves? Or worse…
Perhaps it was the dark of the caves that allowed Tamarig’s other senses other than his eyes to heighten to a point when he heard scrabbling sounds behind and on top of him. Breaking out of his reverie, Tamarig spun around to face a sight that he will never forget as Tamarig’s worst fears were confirmed; he had stumbled upon a lair of Argiopes, two of them in fact.
Catching his reflection off the multi-faceted eyes of the gigantic centipedes that were an indigenous predator of the Mjolnir Range, Tamarig suppressed his fears and swung his staff in a weak attempt to ward off the insects while trying to protect his wounded sheep. Hissing menacingly in their chittinous outer skeletons, the Argiopes were fully aware that the prey’s short staff would be no match for their hardened shells and lurched for the kill.
The first wave of attack saw Tamarig dodging haphazardly as he lunged low to duck the spinning mandibles of the carnivorous insects. And as the Argiopes reared up in preparation for the next strike, Tamarig aimed the sharp end of his staff and plunged it upwards towards the weak, soft links where each segmented body plate of the Argiope met. The move seemed to work as the wooden pole sunk deep into the centipede. Ichor splurted and the Argiope shrieked in pain and fury. Sensing the human has drawn first blood; the other Argiope lowered its head and snaked in towards Tamarig with a vindictive streak.
Having no time to recover from his first offensive, Tamarig reacted a second too slow and as the second Argiope was going to clamp its venomous jaws upon the youth’s head when a draught of cold air went over Tamarig and the insectile attacker.
“Spirit slash”, shouted a loud but familiar voice behind the Argiope.
It stopped in mid-action. A tear soon appeared along the thorax of the Argiope and slowly but surely the head slid off, apparently the Argiope died instantly before it could even touch him. The wounded Argiope however seized the chance to whip the boy with its barbed abdomen while he was distracted, and was similarly slain with a sickening crack on its thick exo-skeleton covered head; splitting it neatly into half. Its innards spilt all over Tamarig but he was otherwise unhurt.
Peering out of his ichor stung eyes, Tamarig was shocked once again by the sight he saw. His rescuer was none other than his father. An ordinary shepherd like himself but actually an expert swordsman with an oddity of a blade that he wielded; the older man’s sword was a broken shard of what was obviously once a mighty sword. However, it was not these startling revelation that stunned Tamarig, it was a rearing head of a third Argiope behind the old man that had somehow crept there unseen in the darkness.
“Luckily I got to you in time, Belegund came to look for me when you have been gone so long…”
“Father, look out! Behind you!”
Unfortunately it was too late as the barbed tail of the assailant struck the older man’s arm, no doubt injecting its deadly poison into his body. But the Tamarig’s father was not to be defeated, he swung the broken sword backwards with such finesse that no shepherd could muster and lob the head of the Argiope cleanly from the rest of the body. The wound was so clean that no ichor spilled. Spent, the older man collapsed as Tamarig rushed towards his father…
Note from the writer: Actually Tamarig's and Holieus' tales are my favorite chapters that I have written so far...I am really not sure if there's anyone who is reading this (although fame is not the reason why I am posting my stories), but if you out there has read Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 today, you will notice that the style of the prose is a little different as I am trying a new way to write my stories at the point in time a few months back. I was very inspired by the stories in Tolkien's Silmarillion that I decide to try my hand in telling stories with a soul and a feel of the times in them. I hope you like these two chapters, of course, Tamarig's story is a little longer and will be concluded in Chapter 8.
Yes, Tolkien had a hand in all these...
The tales of the two heroes who will be appearing in the tale of Tellerin continues and ends this month with the second of the two. Hailing from the mountainous reaches of the Mjolnir Range is a common shepherd boy whose fate will take him away from his mundane life and make him one of the most celebrated legends of the continent. Here is his tale...
“You are just a shepherd boy!”
In the village of Dale near the mountainous regions of Mjolnir, lived a boy named Tamarig and like his father and his father’s father, he was a shepherd. But Tamarig was a dreamer of a boy, he dreamt of being a great warrior of equal worth, committing wild deeds of bravery and traveling the wide expanse of the world that the rest say lies just beyond the next peak. Most of all, Tamarig dreamt of joining the Pronterean Crusaders, a troop of elite soldiers who had the chance to battle fantastic creatures and defend Rune Midgard and keep the peace. Unlike him, the only peace he kept was between his flock and the creatures he fought were nothing more than a few cowardly foxes which tried to prey on his sheep.
However, his father and the village elders always told him the same phrase over and over again (and often with a note of finality), “You are just a shepherd boy, what use have the Crusaders have of you? Moreover, they only accept boys of royal birth, what are you in their eyes? You are only just a shepherd boy, be content and be done with it.”
But Tamarig was not perturbed by all these talk, if anything, it made him even more fired up through the defeatist words of the village wise (even his own father (!), how could he discourage his son like this, he thought), who in his opinion, only thought of how to make it to the next day and lived each day seeking only for the minimal. “I will break the mould”, muttered Tamarig to himself, but every time the youth thought of breaking the mould; life’s drudgery sunk in and drew him back into its folds. And many years would pass before something happened that changed Tamarig’s life completely…
The lost sheep
It was another one of those days that Tamarig took his flock of sheep out grazing along the Northern reaches of the Mjolnir Range where it is not an uncommon sight to see magnificent bluffs, cliffs and huge granite and sandstone structures all touched with the widest of grasslands that the eye could see. And hugging the entire strip of fields where Tamarig’s sheep grazed was Mount Frejya which was a whopping 15,000 feet in height and towered over the village of Dale at its foot.
However this time, he also took his friend, Belegund, along as he was not keen to spend his time alone in the hills. Now unlike Tamarig, Belegund was not a shepherd but the son of the local blacksmith who was only too glad to shoo his son away from the heated anvils for Belegund was an inquisitive boy; and someone who kept asking questions while his father hammered away was not something the sire of Belegund wished to endure the whole day. Furthermore, Belegund was not of age to be near anywhere in the smithy.
“At least I could use some conversation,” thought Tamarig.
And it was in the cool of the day when Tamarig set out to reclaim his sheep before he took them back that he discovered that one sheep was missing. Fearing that his father would be angered for the loss of livestock, Tamarig left Belegund to guard the other sheep while he immediately sought out to locate the missing sheep even though the skies were rapidly darkening. Stumbling upon the scrubby upper reaches of the highlands, Tamarig searched the nearby vicinity where he knew the lost sheep could go and through sheer experience and luck, Tamarig soon heard the bleeting of the sheep,
Smiling to himself for his lucky find he stepped into what seemed to be a cavernous cave that he has not seen before. Stepping into the darkness, Tamarig’s took a minute to adjust and spied his sheep cowering at the far end of the cave. The animal seemingly had a broken foot but how could an animal with difficulty walking stumbled on this cave troubled Tamarig and the boy had his guard up. Clutching his shepherd staff, the youth walked gingerly towards his injured livestock while speaking in soft tones to calm the animal. A thousands thoughts were racing in his mind. Could this be the work of mountain brigands? Wolves? Or worse…
Perhaps it was the dark of the caves that allowed Tamarig’s other senses other than his eyes to heighten to a point when he heard scrabbling sounds behind and on top of him. Breaking out of his reverie, Tamarig spun around to face a sight that he will never forget as Tamarig’s worst fears were confirmed; he had stumbled upon a lair of Argiopes, two of them in fact.
Catching his reflection off the multi-faceted eyes of the gigantic centipedes that were an indigenous predator of the Mjolnir Range, Tamarig suppressed his fears and swung his staff in a weak attempt to ward off the insects while trying to protect his wounded sheep. Hissing menacingly in their chittinous outer skeletons, the Argiopes were fully aware that the prey’s short staff would be no match for their hardened shells and lurched for the kill.
The first wave of attack saw Tamarig dodging haphazardly as he lunged low to duck the spinning mandibles of the carnivorous insects. And as the Argiopes reared up in preparation for the next strike, Tamarig aimed the sharp end of his staff and plunged it upwards towards the weak, soft links where each segmented body plate of the Argiope met. The move seemed to work as the wooden pole sunk deep into the centipede. Ichor splurted and the Argiope shrieked in pain and fury. Sensing the human has drawn first blood; the other Argiope lowered its head and snaked in towards Tamarig with a vindictive streak.
Having no time to recover from his first offensive, Tamarig reacted a second too slow and as the second Argiope was going to clamp its venomous jaws upon the youth’s head when a draught of cold air went over Tamarig and the insectile attacker.
“Spirit slash”, shouted a loud but familiar voice behind the Argiope.
It stopped in mid-action. A tear soon appeared along the thorax of the Argiope and slowly but surely the head slid off, apparently the Argiope died instantly before it could even touch him. The wounded Argiope however seized the chance to whip the boy with its barbed abdomen while he was distracted, and was similarly slain with a sickening crack on its thick exo-skeleton covered head; splitting it neatly into half. Its innards spilt all over Tamarig but he was otherwise unhurt.
Peering out of his ichor stung eyes, Tamarig was shocked once again by the sight he saw. His rescuer was none other than his father. An ordinary shepherd like himself but actually an expert swordsman with an oddity of a blade that he wielded; the older man’s sword was a broken shard of what was obviously once a mighty sword. However, it was not these startling revelation that stunned Tamarig, it was a rearing head of a third Argiope behind the old man that had somehow crept there unseen in the darkness.
“Luckily I got to you in time, Belegund came to look for me when you have been gone so long…”
“Father, look out! Behind you!”
Unfortunately it was too late as the barbed tail of the assailant struck the older man’s arm, no doubt injecting its deadly poison into his body. But the Tamarig’s father was not to be defeated, he swung the broken sword backwards with such finesse that no shepherd could muster and lob the head of the Argiope cleanly from the rest of the body. The wound was so clean that no ichor spilled. Spent, the older man collapsed as Tamarig rushed towards his father…
Note from the writer: Actually Tamarig's and Holieus' tales are my favorite chapters that I have written so far...I am really not sure if there's anyone who is reading this (although fame is not the reason why I am posting my stories), but if you out there has read Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 today, you will notice that the style of the prose is a little different as I am trying a new way to write my stories at the point in time a few months back. I was very inspired by the stories in Tolkien's Silmarillion that I decide to try my hand in telling stories with a soul and a feel of the times in them. I hope you like these two chapters, of course, Tamarig's story is a little longer and will be concluded in Chapter 8.
Yes, Tolkien had a hand in all these...
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