daffodils 

a little over the top 

finale 

nice ones 

shapely ones 

really big ones 

fireworks 

nice colours 

twinkly ones 

fireworks 

Saturday with Chun Wee

I haven't updated in more than a month - I'm aware of that and I'm sure "many" people must be wondering about how my pathetic little life has progressed, whether it has actually progressed positively is still debatable.

For the past two weeks, I had been attached out to PLC to cover the RCC. When I was part of the support staff there, I had a great time. I was away from the arrows that emanate from my senior medic and from his voice; away from the bloody CSM who seems to have the ability to come up with new (useless, dumb, trivial, stupid) directives within the blink of an eye, aimed at converting an already regimental camp into a hell hole; away from that stupid camp; I am BLESSED to have been given the opportunity for a quick getaway, nevermind that it's still confined to the shores of our sunny island which incidentally, turns 40 in the next 12 minutes.

Anyhow, to sum my life there, it was a return to the good old days when I was TSS in SMM. If there was no outfield or PT, basically, I had nothing to do. Thus, I managed to finish reading 2 books and all my magazines and do up a few pages of my exhibit. More importantly, it was the priviledge of being able to enter the SPEC mess. With 4 TVs plus a large screen projector, you would be sure to find me there, slouching on one of those nice cushy couches, in air-con, catching my 7pm drama. In addition, I had the rare chance of savouring duty free beer so it's not surprising that I capitalised on the opportunity. The only thing that held me back from drinking more was the fear of a beer belly; I am not ready to see myself look like 20 albeit with a figure of a 40 year old.

Last Saturday, I went out with Chun Wee to watch fireworks! Yippee! I love fireworks, lasers, light shows, musical fountains etc. I don't know why, but yeah, I like 'em a whole lot, even if the critics say that Sentosa's is just plain lousy. Perhaps it's the kid in me, I don't know. I just like fireworks. I had the intention of going with Chun Wee (he was the first to come to mind), but I confess, I extended the invitation to my classmates first. Sadly, the response was pathetic, not to say if there was even a response to begin with. I don't regret asking Chun Wee out though, we tend to meet up as a pair, just the two of us, instead of a group setting. Don't know why, I think it's because there's a strong bond between us.

We met up and had LJS; Chun Wee claims we always have LJS but I can't seem to recall going to LJS with him in all the times we've met up. I remember Coffee Bean at Taka though this year... Then we went to watch the fireworks. At this juncture, it seems awfully wrong (to me at least) for two guys to go and catch fireworks together. But who cares, it seems like I do such things with Chun Wee all the time (now CW, let's see if you know me so well as to read between the lines...). And, as he has mentioned, it's to make up for the new year's countdown in which all celebrations were cancelled no thanks to the tsunami. I don't regret it - it was nice and pretty, the fireworks and all... It's like in the movies:

The two individuals sat down side by side along the breakwall of Marina Bay, the sea breeze blowing at their faces. It was a cool night plus the weather was fine save for the few clouds in the sky; mindless chatter and squeals of excitement filled the air. Across the narrow strip of water dotted by old bump boats was where the action took place, a carnival held in celebration of a nation's 40th birthday. Beams of light shot up into the night sky, akin to the two which serve as a rememberance of the tragic attacks of Sept 11.

The pair had managed to squeeze to the edge despite the long, continuous line of eager spectators, after taking a short walk past the supporting beams of an overhead expressway (a decision which they did not regret later). Settling down on the grass, one of them set up his camera on a small tripod stand facing out into the water. His was small; real small as compared to the towering ones which surrounded him. Amateur photography at best? Not even that - the tripod was just too pathetic. As he did so, his child-like anticipation was evident, emerging as squeals and high-pitched tones as he conversed with the individual seated next to him.

At exactly eight, they set off the fireworks. The loud booms startled a young kid who suddenly burst into tears and a screaming fit, in contrast to the beautiful sight of fireworks bursting in the night sky. The two individuals admired the sights and smells before them, their faces reflecting the blues, greens, reds, yellows of the fireworks that opened into streaks of colours in the sky. Amidst the oohs and aahs from the crowd, the cynical one did admit that the fireworks were indeed a pretty sight and he enjoyed every moment of it, as compared to his "photographer" friend who was busy snapping pictures and trying with all his might to hold his trembling hands still.

In 15 minutes, the light spectacle was over. It had been a visual and chemical spectacle, not forgetting the chemical reactions involved. But it was not the fireworks that mattered; neither was it that irritating child; it was that the two individuals sitting next to each other that mattered, to one another. The best thing was the companionship, the thing called friendship and that was what mattered most, and more importantly, it was what brought those two individuals, living on the opposite ends of the island, to that stretch of water at Marina Bay that very day, very place, very time to watch fireworks...

Okay, enough of the sweet stuff. We kinda walked down one fullerton admiring the night scenery, stopping by the merlion and having a chat there, enjoying the breeze. We walked some more until we ended up just behind the Padang, on a short boardwalk that again extended into the bay and watched two technical runthroughs, commenting on how nice the lights were and matching the music with the events that occurred in Singapore's history. We talked about everything, an occurrence that occurs all the time when we meet, from Singapore's history to sex to how cute I look when I was in Secondary 1. The conversation lasted 2 hrs, till about 2230 before fatigue started taking its toll and we headed back home. It's such things that one doesn't forget easily. Who knows, we might be doing this another 20 or 30 years down the road...perhaps with kids too. Haha.

It's late now.

Good night.

Happy Birthday Singapore!

fireworks 

fireworks 

fireworks 

fireworks 

friends 

fireworks