Crows and Ashes

Actually I got nothing much to blog about.
These past few days have been poorly spent playing chess, Left4Dead, studying and texting.

Speaking of Left4Dead (awesome game btw), there's been a sudden craze for zombie survival-horror games. You know what I think? Gamers today want the feeling of killing innocent civilians in games, but without all the guilt attached to it. So zombies are a perfect solution. I mean, they're already (un)dead right? And they're after your brains, so killing them should be okay, yes?

The world today promotes a sick culture. The act of killing, causing mortal injury and taking lives have become such a normality. You see it in games, on the TV and in the news. Society tells you that sex is bad, sex is immoral, sex is unnatural. But not killing, killing is okay. Killing is normal. Death is normal

I mean, a few years ago I saw this video on my friend's handphone. A group of terrorists shot a tourist in the head, then decapitated him and display his head to the camera.

My first reaction was: Oh okay...I've seen all this before.

It wasn't until I went home that I realised that I actually saw a REAL man murdered in cold blood and felt nothing. I was sickened with myself.

Even yesterday, a group of my classmates were laughing at a picture in a newspaper of a man with a funny expression on his face. When I saw that picture, I was shocked. The man was carrying a dead child in his arms who had been killed in a suicide bombing. Nobody actually noticed this. Even worse, nobody cared.

The youth of today have been desensitized to the horrors that the world has to offer us. Every tragedy we see is just another game, another movie. The value of human life has been cheapened.

The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions...a statistic
-Joseph Stalin-

This is one of Stalin's most infamous quotes during the era of communism. But these days, even the death of a single individual has become insignificant.

So can we really say that society has progressed forward?
Cause it doesn't seem that way anymore

-Mark-

Mark the Rockstar

I've been wanting to learn how to play the guitar for some time now.
It only just occured to me 5 minutes ago THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE A GUITAR.

A baby guitar actually...that my parents bought for me when I was still an infant.
So I got it out of the storeroom, cleaned it and got my dad to tune it

Then I self-taught myself how to play the cheap version of
"Smoke on the water".

Been doing it ever since. XD
-Mark-

Why did I wake up this morning?

ARRRRGHHH *cough*

Got a sorethroat now...damn weather. Can hardly breath. *gasp*

Anyway, I observed something interesting in school :

43 boys, after 17 years of upbringing and a few million years of evolution...are terrified of a single bee commiting suicide multiple times against the class ceiling fan. (-_-)

Charles Darwin would be disappointed...

On the brightside, Judith's party is tomorrow.
Which reminds me...I haven't finished her present yet. XD

So much to do, so little time. Sigh

Also, I'm quite certain I would run screaming if confronted with 10 million fireflies
I hate insects...and there's a huge ******* cicada flying around outside my house every morning. Damn

-Mark-

Purple is Not Gay!

Thanks to someone, looks like I'm blogging again. XD.
For those of you still reading my blog, welcome back.

I actually stopped blogging because I've officially run out of useful and/or witty things to say. My posts have become...rather lame and uninteresting. For that I blame my school for not providing me with a proper education, I blame the government for limiting almost all the interesting topics I can blog about...and I blame society in general for being too damn boring.

But there is one thing I've learned from my Pendidikan Moral teacher (and Obama), which is not to blame anyone but myself. So yes, I also blame myself. LOL

Now that I've clarified this (and put you all to sleep again)... you can expect more posts from this blog for the coming months

*WARNING: Cultural reference*

In my next posting, readers can expect a lame video (more like...6 lame videos) and some retarded jokes involving a vampire, a werewolf and and their interracial-loving girlfriend

"Oh yeah, how is school?"

School is...well...school.
I didn't miss it during the holidays, and I probably never will.
I do miss certain friends though...especially those awesome people who celebrated my birthday with me on the 16th.

Deus ex Machina
-Mark-

Forevermore

In KL now.
Been here for the past week or so.

As some of you may have guessed,
I'm playing a chess competition here.

Bored out of my mind right now.
And the internet connection is a bitch.
Can't wait to get back to Ipoh and catch a movie with some friends.

Oh yeah, changed the song on my blog.
Found this track while watching some Animatrix AMVs on YouTube.
Thought it was kinda cool. So I put it here. XD

I can't think of anything else to say right now.
I actually ran out of things to say after the first paragraph...

Enjoy your holidays
-Mark-

All Messed Up

Currently into reading horror manga. And I'm feeling very disturbed right now. These Japanese comics really screw with your head. I don't think I can turn the lights off tonight...

So that you can experience it for yourself, check out:  http://www.onemanga.com/directory/horror/

I recommend School Mermaid, Uzumaki, BioMeat, Jisatsu Circle, Highschool of the Dead, Parasyte and Alive!
There's another one, School Days...which starts out really sweet in the beginning, then turns out to be very disturbing in the last two chapters

Very addictive. Read at your own risk
-Mark-

Quantum Pendant

Quantum Pendants.
When I first heard that name...I was thinking of those devices that the Power Rangers wear on their wrists. XD

But when I saw the pictures, they actually look kinda cool.
And it seems that they're not totally useless either.

According to the website (of the company that sells them), they actually have HEALTH benefits. Seriously. I'll just cut and paste them here:

-Reduces inflammation
-Promotes unclumping of cells
-Enhances circulation
-Enhances immune and endocrine systems
-Has the ability to destroy viruses and bacteria
-Enhances cellular nutrition and detoxification
-Enhances cellular permeability
-Increases energy
-Helps to protect DNA from damage
-Helps to retard the ageing process
-Helps to fight cancer cells
-Strengthens the body’s biofield preventing electro-magnetic waves from affecting one’s health
-Increases focus and concentration

If you think I'm joking, you can check it out for yourself:
Fusion Excel

Whether this pendant can do all that...I honestly don't know.
I wasn't even aware that my DNA needed protecting...



But they DO look really nice. So...
Buy one for your girlfriend, if you're a boy.
Buy one for your boyfriend, if you're a girl.
Then, buy one for yourself. Then you can both live long and happy lives...

Some of them have Swarovski Crystal Studding on them too. Which sounds expensive. I have no idea what that is either

But if you're interested...leave a comment on
Vivian Cheah's Cbox

-Mark-

Dead Frontier

Currently playing this zombie-Apocalypse MMORPG called Dead Frontier.

It can be pretty fun for a while, just randomly running around, killing zombies and saving up money for that shiny new gun. Gameplay gets kinda repetitive after a while... and graphics are just around average but it's FREE to play.

If you have nothing better to do during your holidays, check it out: http://www.deadfrontier.com/

-Mark-

Fantasy Premier League

I'm currently addicted Fantasy Premier League, which is this online game based on the EPL (English Premier League). This game was introduced to me by my classmates. Before this, I had no interest in football whatsoever.

The goal (pun intended) of this game is to form your very own team using the players participating in the EPL for the current season. You 'only' have $100 million to spend to buy players for your team. You'll also have to choose your Club Name and design their jerseys.

For each gameweek, you'll score points based on your player's actual performance in real life. For more details, you should read the help section. It's important to know the rules before forming your team.

WARNING: This game is very addictive. I myself was transformed from a ignorant child to a screaming football fan overnight since playing this game

If you're still interested, here's the link: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

On a more personal note: I really regret not playing Abdoulaye Faye instead of Ryan Shawcross. I could have gotten 7 MORE POINTS!!!

I'm also thinking about replacing Mark Noble with Yossi Benayoun. But to do that, I'll need to replace Jermain Defoe with Darren Bent. And I'll also lose 4 points for transfers.

Ideas, anyone?
Seriously, this game screws with your head

-Mark-

Raw Fish

Sushi 寿司, 鮨, 鮓

During the holidays, I went to Sushi King with a Malay friend.
I did all the eating...since he said that he couldn't eat sushi (non-Halal...go figure)

Anyway, I started covering my kappamaki 河童巻(that's the one filled with cucumber) with an unhealthy and potentially very dangerous amount of wasabi.

My friend watched curiously while I was doing all this
(he's never seen anyone eat sushi before...how sad)

So I took a bite, and after a 2-second pause, I began crying and wailing and burying my head in my hands.
Anyone who has eaten sushi with alot of wasabi before will know what I mean.
The feeling is similar to having your lungs forcibly removed through your nose. Morbid...

So I was totally high at the time. In Bahasa Malaysia we call that khayal.
My Malay friend just couldn't understand. He was like:

"Apa dengan kamu wei? Otak tak centre ke?"

"SAYA SEDANG MENERIMA WAHYU!!!" I screamed. XD

Those studying Sejarah in Form 4 should understand.
This is my most random and irrelevant post so far
-Mark-

District 9

Just went to watch District 9 with my girlfriend. This movie is awesome!
The beginning is kinda boring for a while...but I didn't mind. XD
And it just gets better and better towards the end.

Oh yeah, while I was surfing Wikipedia, I discovered that District 9 is actually based on another short 6- minute movie called: Alive in Joburg

Not sure how good it is.
I'm actually waiting for the movie to load right now.

Check it out if you're interested:
http://www.spyfilms.com/#neill_blomkamp/alive_in_joburg

-Mark-

Traveller

I'll be leaving for KL tomorrow morning.
So I probably won't be blogging for a while.

My dear,
if you're reading this,
know that I'll miss you alot and I promise to take you on a date when I get back (if you want me to)

To everyone else,
a simple goodbye will do. I'll be back in 2 weeks time

Bye
-Mark-

What Merdeka?

Merdeka is the Malay word for Freedom.
It is a word that has defined the aspirations of all mankind

It has sparked revolutions, by inspiring men and women to stand for their rights and beliefs. It has given hope, when there was none. It has led uprisings against tyrants and dictators.

All in the name of...

Freedom

Let's examine some definitions of freedom:

"The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the most precious rights of man..."

That sounds good, doesn't it?
Let's try another one:

"Freedom of speech and expression everywhere, the freedom and the right to worship God in their way everywhere, the freedom from want and freedom from fear"

That was even better...
But you know something?

THESE STATEMENTS DON'T APPLY IN OUR COUNTRY!!!

You read in the news everyday about people getting arrested for voicing their opinions (Raja Petra). People who get arrested for practising their so called 'illegal' religions (ajaran sesat). People being arrested for wearing black one fine morning (don't even ask...)

The list goes on...

What the hell kinda freedom is this?
And if I get arrested for this, let my name be further evidence to support my claims.

So when we wave our flags and sing patriotic songs. Remember this:

We are not truly free...yet. But we CAN BE.
As long as we don't keep fooling ourselves that we already are.

I will be the first to admit that Malaysia is ALOT better than some other countries. But that is not good enough. Mediocrity in freedom is not freedom at all.

So what Merdeka are you talking about?
-Mark-

Press Conference

It seems I got alot of people worried when I updated my Facebook status, saying:

"Fighting a losing battle. And yeah, I have the flu..."

And suddenly, people started messaging and commenting and texting me asking if I was all right. Like I had a terminal illness or something...

Firstly, I would like to confirm that I DO NOT have H1N1.
I only have a slight cold and fever.

But I am recovering well.
Even went to school on Friday.

The losing battle I was referring to means something entirely different.
For now, that issue falls under private & confidential

But thanks for your concern.
I didn't know so many people cared.

-Mark-

Click

When I settled down with my family to watch Click on TV a couple of weeks back, I expected some slap-stick comedy film with an uninspired script.

After all, it was a film about a universal remote control that could control...the universe

LAME

What I got was something completely different.
The comedic value of this movie was way above expectation.

But towards the middle part, the message that this movie portrayed was both meaningful and very touching.
Almost cried towards the end.

Adam Sandler has been doing some good movies.
50 first dates was another decent movie.


Anyway, I won't spoil it for you by telling you what happened.
But I highly recommend this movie.

Just one more thing:

***SPOILER WARNING***






WHO THE HELL WOULD WANT TO FAST FORWARD SEX WITH KATE BECKINSALE??!!

I really needed to say that. XD
-Mark-

Lets Run Like Hell

Exams are on Monday.

I've got another competition tomorrow.

and I'm not prepared for either of them

On a more positive note, I passed my aikido grading.

Received my new belt last Tuesday.

Also, I got the post of Vice President for my school's Chess Club.

Planning lots of events for the coming months.

And...

I'm learning how to swear in Korean!!!

And in Japanese!!!

while failing miserably in my studies
(my priorities are all messed up) XD

Lets run like hell

-Mark-

Trial by Fire

My team lost the second round in the Sallehuddin Championship (debate).
Looks like we have to improve alot more to stand a chance in the Nationals.

To be fair to myself and my team, we fought the team that won 1st place in the HELP College Debate this year.
And we only had 2 days to prepare...cause our teacher 'forgot' to tell us about it until Monday (the competition was on Wednesday of the same week)

Anyway, in my opinion, we didn't lose that badly.
We actually stood a fighting chance.

Also, just went for an interview to elect the new EXCO for the Michaelian Chess Club.
I'm aiming for the Presidency, since the rule that only Six Formers could hold that particular post in no longer in effect.

And...my exam results were terrible.
And Report Card Day is on Thursday.
And I haven't finished my homework since...January

Die laa...
-Mark-

Sleeping Beauty

EVERYONE WENT!!!
From my Schoolmates to my Church friends to my Chess buddies.
My old love interests were also there *ahem*

Met some old friends that I haven't seen for a year(s)
Ainaa Shafinaz, Gary Tan and Chan Wei Shin were among them

Kirsten from my Youth picked me up, along with Debbie, Kai Bing and Rachel.

I actually hoped to walk into the hall with them.
You know...one guy and four girls.
The whole thorn among the roses kinda thing.
(which would have been cool...)

Didn't happen.
I looked down at my shoes for three seconds...and they were already halfway across the parking lot (maybe they were on to me?)

I was also seriously overdressed.
I actually wore the shirt I intended for the Prom, which I heard kinda sucked. Lucky me

To be honest, I only really enjoyed the earlier parts of the ballet, namely the Malay/Ballet fusion thingy, which was pretty imaginative...reminds me of SMC's TradiMode

and

Ooh ee ooh ah ah
(Witch Doctor...XD)

Anyway, the dancing for Sleeping Beauty was just okay...
The segments were too long, so I kinda lost concentration halfway
The girls were hot. The dresses were colourful. And the wicked fairy was A GUY!
(Charles Pooley, who's a director at Hairforce Saloon and Academy. He did my hair once)

Oh yeah
Something else happened that night...which is kinda personal for me and the person/people involved.

The night ended after supper with Kirsten and the girls at the Stadium foodcourt. Others from the ballet were also there

No photos this time
-Mark-

Run Faster

Just made some calls...there's no place left for reservations at the prom.
Should have booked earlier. But I didn't think I would be going until a couple of days ago

How sad. Maybe I'll go for the ballet instead
-Mark-

Run

Looks like I'm going to the prom tomorrow night.
Can't find a date, so I'm going solo...
and hopefully I won't end up spending the night alone

Can't seem to find anything half decent to wear either.
What the heck do they mean by formal attire?

Trying to get over her
-Mark-