HOTD #4

 

I worked past 21:00, not due to pressing deadline but rather frustration with the lack of progress.

Perhaps we should blur the line between duty and off-duty.  In the traditional model, we work inhumane hours to get some scarce off days to catch our breaths, then before we are fully recuperated we are thrown back into the grindstone again.  This creates the undesirable pressure during our time off of dreading the day we start work again, as a result we don’t get the full rest we require.

An alternative would be to de-emphasise our off time (like what I have done tonight) and spread out our recuperation moments throughout working and non-working days.  This way we don’t stress ourselves out on getting back to work during our off days and also reduce our stress during work days. The net result is a less stressful, but boring existence which may not be the worst deal in these modern times. 

Throwback- probably 6-7yrs ago.  Rica is now an all running, all yelling, sprightly little one.

HOTD #3

 Tim Ho Wan is a one star Michelin joint and these are the signature dishes

Not heavenly but still very tasty.

Here is another photo taken from a popular shooting spot among the photography enthusiasts.  I turned ‘HDR’ on on my camera phone and captured the shot in 5 seconds .

This guys makes some really good points on a traditionally difficult question.  The answer is yes (very brave, very controversial) but the approach is to first self reflect and identify areas that can be compromised and areas that cannot be, thereafter lower standards accordingly.

https://fb.watch/2IlsdodFf-/

HOTD # 2 - the equalizer

 Stumbled upon this and I thought I’d fancy myself a nice crime drama.

Turned out it wasn’t Rambo+commando+Punisher, it was more that I had expected.  Pure graphic and gore.  The storyline was cliched but the delivery was slick and ultra violent.  I was mildly traumatised by the blood and gut spilling and skulls cracking, etc.  Denzel’s character was really the devil. No mercy, no remorse, no hesitation.  No rules, no honour, anything goes. Even the terminator will take his hats off to him for his ruthlessness.

‘I will tear you down, block by block, body by body’

What a ride!

HOTD #1

Highlight of the day (HOTD) is a series of day blog entries lasting one full month recording the most memorable moment of my day.  At the end of it we will see how incredibly exciting (or intolerably dull) my life is.

As I was doing my usual round of running, I came across a group of photo enthusiasts taking photos of a scene often seen on postcards.  The shooting angle appeared to be well thought out and time trialed.  I took out my camera phone and snatched myself some photos from the well researched but by no means patented angle 

The result is surprisingly pleasant.  I’m particularly pleased with the small cruiser in the frame that indeed spices up the photo.

On my way back I encountered this 

A group of fitness fanatics (they indeed looked fit) braving the pandemic doing weight based circuit training.  I do believe working out together and having people around pushing each other (sometimes literally) yield results more than the sum of our parts but I have to say I don’t think this is good timing.

 

Flight amid uncertain times

The airport is rather deserted and eerily quiet. The contrast

against the hustle bustle in the past brings about a tinge of sadness on how the world has changed and also to some extent a gradual, painful acceptance that the things may never go back to normal.

It’s done

 I was there at the moment with Skynews

Historical moment

 Staying up late and have my eyes glued to the TV, I have not even been to US before !

Work from hotel

 A refreshing change!

Birthday celebrations

 

Yoga pose

 

Academic achievement

 

About 20 years ago, I ended my academic journey with a commendable finish. 

Shell out Indian Style

Seafood platter on

Budget!

 

AirPods

 

Slick!  It’s amazing what can be done by just double tapping the left or right earpieces

Sekinchan

 

SS2 durian man mustang king cendol

 

Sweet and bitter, delicious!

Birthday!

 

Nothing noteworthy except for a normal meal at mid valley 

Most of this year has been about dealing with the uneasiness around the situation corona virus has created.  When the whole world was hit hard and all countries had yet to bend or flatten the infection curve, it felt like the apocalypse was a real possibility, which makes one ponder about abstract things like meaning of life.

After months of lockdown, it has been proven that our primitive approaches of social isolation, wearing masks, washing hands indeed work to restore some normalcy to the world .  They won’t eliminate the problem altogether but they are our best shot and we need everything that we have got.

Yet even being my most optimistic self I cannot foresee and do not believe the world will ever go back to pre corona days. 

I will sorely miss social gatherings, going to cinemas, gathering with large crowds.  At the same time I draw console from and take solace with the fact that I did my fair share of mingling and taking part in social activities when I had the chance.  I look back at past memories with as much fondness as sadness.  Walking past a cinema and knowing that I will probably never feel comfortable again in watching a movie on a big screen brings about a pang of sadness that makes me feel like weeping inside, yet it is with resolve and maturity that is required of my age that I resign to this fact of life and I will adjust, I must adjust.

Meals galore

Social contact was excessive in this current climate.  That was a bit naughty.

I gave in to my sudden inexplicable nostalgia for Karateka and purchased the game
I now have my childhood memories in my pocket. Bliss!

Periodontist

The periodontist at Amcorp Mall praised me highly for the good work of maintaining oral hygiene.

I rely on old school flossing and that seems to work well

Emperor crab feast

Home cooked premium food, good conversations, best friends, great Friday night.

Blast from the past 2010

Never realised I had such stiff accent!