That'll Do

"Nothing really matters to me," - Queen, 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

What matters to you?

Is it money?
Wealth, living a life of leisure and having an allowance that whole countries refer to as their national treasury? Being able to buy anything and everything that you want, beyond your wildest dreams, and most others'? Owning half the real estate in town and leasing the other half while you gallivant around the globe without a monetary care?

Is it love?
Having someone to rely on, to depend on, to make you feel comfortable and never lonely? Settling down with a family and living life as a parent or dedicated spouse, forever sharing your life with another? Knowing that you wouldn't have to worry about dying alone or feel that love-sick ache?

Is it fame?
Having people know your name, recognize you wherever you go, and clamor for pictures with you, or your autograph? Enjoying the privileges that come with everybody wanting you around? Winning the popularity contest at a global stage, and knowing that you'd be treated as an important guest no matter where you are?

Is it making a difference?
Being able to help others, help the world heal in any way possible, no matter how small? Devoting time and effort to making some big change in the world, something that affects everyone in however minute a way? Helping those who can't help themselves?

Is it living?
Experiencing new things, doing something different every day, and enjoying life in every way possible before you can enjoy it no longer? Getting a job you love so you'd never have to work any day of your life? Seizing the opportunity before it passes you by?

What is it that you live for, strive for, and long for?
What matters to you?
What's life to you?

Cogito Ergo Sum

Do you believe in The Secret?

A few years back, a certain self-help/philosophy-lifestyle-type book hit the shelves and became a worlwide phenomenon. The Secret outlines the "most powerful law in the universe" - the Law Of Attraction. Like attracts like. Whatever you think, you broadcast to the universe, and the universe responds.

I can be a pretty cynical person. When I first read it, I thought, "Shyeah, cause life's that easy." But thinking back, it basically explains one basic rule of life - a philosophy that everyone hears from cradle to grave: Be Positive. Think Positive. "I think, therefore I am."

The most difficult part of it (for me, at least), is to control my thoughts and send them all in a positive direction. I find it tough to be all "hakuna matata" (which, interestingly, means "No Worries" if directly translated from Swahili) when it comes to my thoughts. A stray negative thought would pop up. And although you push it away, it's already there.

It's what you do think, deep down. How do you convince yourself otherwise? How do you persuade yourself to only think positive - to only focus on one thing and not think of the other possibilities? Tell yourself "Don't think of a pink elephant", and a pink elephant will immediately pop into your head, whether you like it or not.

How do you change your way of thinking?

I never got that, and I still don't. Maybe I'm too stubborn to be so easily persuaded, even by my own mind.

So far it hasn't worked for me. But I'm still trying. It's a part of personal growth, I guess, and we've gotta take it one step at a time. Instead of thinking of what you want, think about what you have. At worst, you have yourself. You alone have the power to change what you are - so you can be and have whatever you want.

Instead of thinking of what you could have had, be grateful for what you did get.

Appreciate, perhaps, that you have the chance to desire, to yearn, to envy, to live.

Think, perhaps, of others and the bigger picture instead of worrying over petty details.

Try, perhaps, to let the negative feelings wash over you, seep through, and then leave with no effect, like wind through leaves. Don't ignore them completely. Just let them take their course, and then go back to thinking "But hey, at least..."

Believe, perhaps, that things get better from here. That things will work out in the end.

Say, perhaps, to yourself:

I am lucky. I am grateful. I am me.

I try. I live. I love. And I do believe.

Of Thrown Airplanes And Abandoned Cookies

That pretty much sums up today. Game Day became a stone-session, and for those who were absent - your penalty is to pay for dinner next time.

I kid you not.

Louis and Yeng sit before me, engrossed in their Starcraft realms while Nick struggles through a laggy level of zombie-thrashing while I abandon my attempts at leveling up my Dragonica Thief and turn to Blogger for comfort and entertainment.

Pfft.

Have you ever felt like you've made an inevitable decision before you've actually made up your mind? It's a very odd feeling. You sort of go back and forth between yes and no, but it's really just for the hell of it, because you already know the answer. It's just getting to that answer that's a the tough part. It's not the destination, but the journey, after all.

I suppose my journey hasn't yet ended. But I'm grateful for having a choice, a saving grace, and I'm grateful for the opportunity, should I be able to grasp it. I'm grateful for having friends who patiently endure my cold silences or random outbursts triggered by the prolonged dwelling that I do on these matters. I'm grateful for things I can do, things I want to do, and things I'm good at.

I am grateful.

Pictured Here

Yeah, I haven't been updating much. My bad.

Whoever was at urbanscapes would say it was awesome. The bazaar was HUGE. A bargain-shopper's dream. We spent around 4 hours roasting in the sun, prowling the bazaar and barely paying attention to our need for food nor the performances, which I'm sure was amazing.

Speaking of bazaars, lah'lah'land is having another Pick n' Grab this 25th July, at Hartamas Square, Desa Sri Hartamas. See you there, fellow shopaholics.

Anyway, after Urbanscapes...

'Nuff said.

Everyone seems to have been totally swamped the last few months, with college-uni transitions (applications, etc), finals, travelling, and the like, and a much-beloved tradition has yet to be carried out this year.

Wait no longer! Game day is tomorrow. Sans XBot- Er, I mean, Xbox. Sadly. Nevermind. Everyone's itching to play Starcraft in anticipation of Starcraft 2.

In other news.

I am a +wondermilk addict.

On the grievous passing of Michael Jackson:

You were, are, and will always be an inspiration and are sorely missed. It's safe to say that the entire world has been affected by your life, influenced by your music, shocked by your death, and will inevitably be a dimmer place in your absence. Rest in peace.

An Acoustic Preview

Click here to download and

here for lyrics.

Notice

HEAR YE, HEAR YE.

Following its migration to Blogger from Livejournal,
this blog is undergoing gradual transformation.
Personal blog to music/gaming/entertainment/original-creative-dump blog.

The City's All-Day Creative Arts Festival

A small rushed post on

Because I forgot to post about it ages ago.

What is it?
KLue Urbanscapes is a gi-mongous festival that merges live performances (bands, improv theatre), a bazaar (a medley of stalls), and exhibits (photography, film screenings) all in one place.

When is it?
KLue Urbanscapes will be held on Saturday, 27th June 09.

Where is it?
KLue Urbanscapes will be held at the hub of all creative and performing arts of KL - KLPac, Sentul West.

How do I get tickets?
Presale tickets are RM25 each, and can be obtained from the KLPac Box Office (03-4047 9000),
Zouk KL (03-2171 1997).
On the other hand, you can buy 2 tickets for RM45 at Borders@The Garden, The Curve, and Times Square.

So who's going? It's a fun-in-the-sun sort of day for everyone who enjoys shopping, performing arts, food... the typical Malaysian (youth), really. And a gathering of sorts for everyone with a common somewhat-artsy interest and a foot in the Malaysian arts scene. Among scheduled performances are Yuna (whom I've yet to see live), Popshuvit, and Gerhana Ska Cinta.

More information here.