Why Would I Write

Category: Thoughts

  • Traffic

    I believe that traffic lights are good enough for the work they do – controlling traffic. There has never been a point in my life where I felt that the job of traffic lights could be better handled by policemen. However, every time I’m caught in traffic on a road when there’s usually no traffic – there’s always a traffic cop controlling the traffic flow. Every time it happens, I make sure to ask myself why? Or grumble to whoever is in the passenger seat that traffic cops make things worse.

    Why don’t they just leave the job to traffic lights, which, if configured properly, are supposed to do the job properly? And if the lights aren’t configured properly, why not fix them? Instead of putting some poor dude in the middle of speeding cars and motorbikes? Under the hot sun. In their long sleeves, helmets and gloves? It’s stupid. No wonder they don’t make the best decisions.

    Maybe traffic cops are only there because they’re being punished. And if they’re being punished, of course they’re not going to do a good job. They’ll want to fuck with everyone else on the road, since they have nothing to lose anyway. And they can gain some pleasure out of all the motorists’ frustrations. A least I know that’s what I’d do if I was being punished.

    If they’re not being punished, then why do they do such a bad job of controlling traffic? Maybe it’s just me generalizing my experiences with traffic cops and I’m being unfair to the good ones who are actually making things better.

    What about cops or ambulance drivers who use their sirens to skip traffic jams? Are they considered assholes too? Because every time there’s a shitty jam, there’s bound to be these guys around. And if they’re skipping traffic, why do I always read about them showing up late at emergencies? I can’t recall the last time I heard a siren when traffic was good. Everyone should just ride bicycles instead. Then we’d have no jams, we’d save the environment, and everybody would be fitter.

  • As we kiss hard on the lips and swear this year will be better than the last

    It’s 2016 and I’m still listening to Thursday. This band sure has staying power. Anyway, was thinking of what to write, when I clicked through my old new year posts and decided to update a post I wrote back in 2008. I’ve updated the date for this blog quiz (why does nobody do them anymore? in fact why don’t people blog about fun things anymore anymore?! it’s all advertorials followed by more advertorials…)

    1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?
    I started using Linux, a mechanical keyboard and an electrical shaver. Also, I went to Melbourne.

    2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
    I didn’t make any resolutions for this year, but I wanted to write more (which I did). I still have yet to make my first computer game and record my second EP – I guess they can be goals for 2016!

    3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
    My sister and some of my friends gave birth. Welcome to this shitty planet, whee!

    4. Did anyone close to you die?
    Nope.

    5. What countries did you visit?
    Australia.

    6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
    Better time management. More songs and a computer game by me.

    7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
    Probably the Big Bad Wolf Sale 2015 – I had never experienced working so many hours straight in my life before.

    8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
    Switching to vaping, mechanical keyboards, Linux, and electric shavers.

    9. What was your biggest failure?
    Losing patience with my own family. Sometimes I feel like the worst kind of son/brother. Sorry fam 🙁

    10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
    Still suffering from Eczema. Got heavy fever at one point, but other than that I’ve been alright!

    11. What was the best thing you bought?
    I bought quite a lot of things for myself this year and it’s all been good. But I would say new pickups for my guitar since it’s the only thing making me money (RIP Team Suck Ass, I’m never gonna be a pro gamer haha).

    12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
    My mom for constantly battling the after effects of her stroke. She’s been a real champ about it. <3 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My own behavior - after too many drinks. 14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage, car loan, taxes, car maintenance. Cars really use up a lot of money. 15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Watching OG struggle through the group stages of the Frankfurt Major and then finally winning it in the end. Also, my first gig at Doiffee, starting my new job and my sister's new son. 16. What song will always remind you of 2015? Allison Weiss – New Love.

    17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
    Happier, thinner, richer. I guess I had a great year? Haha.

    18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
    Gained more MMR, wrote more songs, and played more shows.

    19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
    Drinking excessively and procrastinating.

    20. How did you spend Christmas?
    Celebrated it on the 26th with a bunch of friends eating good food and playing Pictionary. 11/10 would do it again.

    21. Did you fall in love in 2015?
    Was already in love. (ZOMG same answer as 2007)

    22. What was your favorite TV program?
    Better Call Saul, Game of Thrones, Mr. Robot.

    23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
    Kek.

    24. What was the best book you read?
    The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard

    25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
    Allison Weiss, No Devotion, Lil Dicky.

    26. What did you want and get?
    Mechanical keyboard, gaming mouse, PC upgrade, vape, electric shaver, new shoes, new bag, new blazer (thanks Milin!).

    27. What did you want and not get?
    New graphics card (still on the fence about whether I need one or not).

    28. What was your favorite film this year?
    The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

    29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
    Dinner with mom, Uncle Ooi and Milin. Turned 30.

    30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
    Finding a million bucks under my pillow.

    31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
    I’m back to wearing fitting clothes because I lost weight. Yay!

    32. What kept you sane?
    Music.

    33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
    Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift.

    34. What political issue stirred you the most?
    I didn’t care much about politics back in 2007… I still don’t.

    35. Who did you miss?
    Na’Vi in the finals of Dota 2 tournaments BibleThump

    36. Who was the best new person you met?
    Met loads of great people in my new (current) job – don’t have anyone to single out.

    37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.
    Puking in your own car is the worst shit ever. Seriously, don’t do it, kids. – George 2015.

  • The aftershave: my initial post-electric shaver experience

    The aftershave: my initial post-electric shaver experience

    shaver

    Exactly one week ago, I decided that I was going to buy myself an electric shaver. I picked it up on a Friday night and since then I’ve been a member of the electric shaver club. I picked myself up the Philips AT750 because – according to what I read online, a rotary shaver would be better for my needs (infrequent shaving, longer facial hair). I got the AT750 because it can be used wet or dry – since I had no idea if I would be using it wet or dry more.

    Anyway, life with an electric shaver has been pretty good since then. Because it is so much faster than shaving with disposable razors, I’ve been able to shave more often. My face isn’t too sensitive, so I’ve also been able to do dry shaves.

    I’ve only shaved wet with the AT750 once – my first shave, since I didn’t know how my face would handle it. I used the shaving cream which came free with the shaver and got rid of all my facial hair. It felt alright, except for my mustache which stung a little probably because it was quite long (in case you didn’t know, electric shavers pull the hairs on your face before cutting them off).

    I haven’t had to charge the shaver yet since it has a 40 minute battery life and my shaves last only 1-2 minutes. It does take 8 hours to charge though – so I may or may not have issues with that in the future.

    Regardless, after almost a week of using it, I don’t have any complaints and can wholly recommend it to anybody who feels that shaving takes too long to with analog shavers. Sure, it doesn’t cut as close as a regular blade but I feel that it does a good enough job. I’ll probably report back in a month or two if I have anything else to say but I doubt it’s going to be anything negative!

    BTW this isn’t a sponsored post/advertorial. In case you guys were wondering if I turned into a shill of some sort. I’m just writing about my initial experiences with an electric shaver.