Random thought on Religion

Since the atheist believes that there is no God, and since it's never been proven one way or another, so atheism is ALSO an article of faith isn't it?

Defining Who We Are

One of the best phrases I have heard recently is, "We decide ourselves who we want to be. Subconsciously, or consciously, every decision and every action defines, reinforces and redefines who we choose to be."

This was initially addressed to a colleague of mine, but when I look around, I see it everywhere. As we get older, we move into certain comfort zones in thought, behaviour and character. After some time, these comfort zones get carved deeper and deeper into our psyche until it becomes they become channels of habit wherein our daily consciousness flows. With that, comes a limiting of the possibilities that we see open to us.

Change can happen. But at great cost. To our comfort zones, to our energy and spirit, even to our own identity of "self". Few are willing to go pay the price to redefine ourselves, and carve out new channels in the bedrock of life, unless something big acts on their lives to destabilize it.

Things of course, like death, debt and disease, that sometimes don't give us a choice BUT to redefine our lives so as to continue to exist. This redefinition, is seldom pleasant. For those of us not "fortunate" enough for things like that to happen to us, we can only hope that our own force of will and desire to strive and succeed is enough to overcome internal hurdles.

To those who have done it before, congratulations. Tell me your story so I can draw inspiration.

To those who are working towards change, keep at it. The road is long and tough. But you are not alone.

To those who are discontent with life, but have no desire to change, maybe you'll make the decision one day, maybe you won't. The anticipation of the bite is often worse than the bite itself. Whatever the case may be, I wish you well.

Is This For Real? (NSFW)

Okay folks, this link is seriously NSFW, so do NOT open when you're at work. Nevertheless, ladies especially, in the spirit of knowledge, self improvement and an attempt to end to the female frustration, I need to find out.

IS THIS FOR REAL?!!?

Cos if it is, I'm carrying my laptop with my middle and ring finger from now on.

And a quick rant. Why in the world is it so hard to find information on pleasuring women? Men, well... we men are easy, and we have the entire pron industry demonstrating in myriad videos.

But women, it's comparatively scant information on how you like to be pleasured! And to get an educational video? I googled for a LONGG time, and I found one. ONE! Come on, the majority of us men have no. frigging. idea what to do to make you come to a screaming orgasm. So please don't do that "you should know what, it's obvious isn't it?"

It's not. Now give.

What is Possible?

My brother recently made me read a book about violence in the real world. It is interesting because it goes beyond violence. It explore a lot of self defence, and mental states, and recovery from traumatic experiences.

This is a paragraph that I found really interesting.

"Permission and initiative combine to produce a force of nature. It is inhuman and hard to describe. You do what needs to be done without regard for whether it is possible, because nine-tenths of your 'impossibilities' are imaginary. Strange that a 110-pound girl believes that she can't hurt a 200 pound man, but an eight pound cat (especially if you dump a bucket of water on it) can and will do so without hesitation.

A small woman can punch hard enough to break ribs, and it is far less a matter of 'know-how' than it is of deciding to injure and then letting herself do it... in the end, the critical difference between me and them is that they have completely lost their allegiance to regular human suppositions about what is and isn't true, is and isn't possible.

They lose their sense of reality through chemicals, and sometimes I can give up mine and even the playing field"

- Meditations on Violence, Sgt. Rory Miller

Taking an extrapolation, what if it is not violence? What if this concept is applied to each and every aspect of our lives, our work and personal lives?

When we lose what our preconceived notions on what is possible, what can we achieve? Are we subconsciously limiting ourselves because we think that that'll make us fit in?

Thoughts to consider

Translation - 那就这样吧

Since a friend has asked me to translate the lyrics for her, I thought that maybe I should just cut and paste the lyrics here. For your reading enjoyment. This is of course, the literal translation. If you have any recommendations for changes, do let me know and I'll put it up.

Verse:
Don't cry anymore
I should be the one that's crying
You've already said you love him,
What else can i do

I have already agreed
After you have stated your point of view
Let's not drag this along
We'll start (on our seperate ways) tomorrow

Chorus:
That's all there is
However deep the love, it's come to an end
So let's break up
No point struggling anymore

Don't ask me again
How I can let just you go
Go forth,
When you get there, remember to give me a call

That's all there is,
However much we love, we'll still say sayonara
Let's hug again
And I'll kiss your long hair again

Don't cry anymore,
Wipe your tears
How about this?
Love me again, if we're really fated together

Bridge:
Quickly go and pack your stuff
It'll be dawn if we keep dragging
Keep the keys first
In case you have things
In case you have things that you forgot to take

Chorus X2

Well that's the song, and the translation. Enjoy!

那就这样吧

How appropriate the song. I knew there was a reason I like it so much.

Chawamushi recipe

Okay... since some of the good folk of the bar asked for it, here's the recipe for chawamushi, vandalin-style. It's simple. just bloody tedious. Actually since a lot of the effort goes into making the stock, it's easier to make for more people.

Ingredients (makes for 2):

Bonito Flavouring - 1 pack
Prawns - 2
Crabsticks - 2 pieces
Mushrooms - 2 pieces
Water about 500ml
salt - 1.5 teaspoons
Eggs - 2

How to do it:

Chawamushi making comes in 2 parts. Making the stock, then putting everything together and steaming the chawa

Making the stock:
Put water in saucepan, add salt and heat.
Deshell the prawns and chuck all the shells into the water.
Boil for about 30 minutes or until you think all the flavour of the prawn shells have come out. Fire should be high in the first ten minutes and then medium low afterwards.
In the last 5 minutes, add the bonito flavouring and stir well.

Remove prawn shells and cool to room temperature. (I usually use a few ice cubes)

Making the Chawa:
Mix eggs and stock in roughly about 2 parts egg:5 parts stock.

IMPT: it is fucking critical to stir gently when you mix the eggs and stock. As little air into the mixture as possible

Cut up prawn, crab stick and mushrooms and split them into 2 bowls

Divide up the egg mixture into the 2 bowls. The mushrooms will float for some reason. I can never ever make them stay at the bottom.

Cover the top of the bowls with aluminium foil and put into a steamer. If you're using a wok with water inside, make sure the bowl doesn't come into direct contact with the water.

Steam lightly for 20 min to half an hour. Lightly means the water is bubbling but lightly.

The chawamushi is ready when you see that the top is firm and if you poke the surface with a fork, the stock comes out clear.

ENJOY! Pictures akan datang.