Retail Therapy

So... in order to take my mind off the things mentioned in that last post of mine, I decided to waltz over to the ThinkGeek site to see what sort of goodies I can buy myself.

I've got this one item in mind:

I think this would fit very nicely in my cubicle.

Ok. I may be more than a little creeped out.

I like to read comments about things I say or write. I like to know what people think about me, and about the remarks I make. Often times, once I've posted a message somewhere, be it a forum or my blog here, I always check back to see what sort of response others would have left me.

And more often than not, I like to see positive comments and remarks. I like to see that people agree with me, with my type of wisdom. I like to hear praises, and agreeable comments.

I don't know why I started clicking back on my very old posts, but I did. And boy, did I find a slew of comments. I wasn't even aware I had recieved this many comments. I was flattered, as I clicked through my old posts. The comments were nice, positive and generally telling me what a good job I was doing. So I was happy. Til I started noticing repeats... a few comments were mirrored in different posts. And almost all these posts were signed annoymous.

But I shrugged these coincidences all off. I mean, there were people talking nice things about me, my blog and my content. That's awesome! But one particular comment did jump out at me.

"Your are Nice. And so is your site! Maybe you need some more pictures. Will return in the near future."

I'm not too sure what to make of this.

Singapore Open Gaming (SOG) V: After the dust has settled

It's been 5 months since I started this new gaming group. So far, I've had a lot of support from other gamers and I'm very happy for that. We had 17 people turn up at this last gaming session, 4 of whom are new to SOG. What I am glad for is that there are new people turning up each month.

But I recieved some... I wouldn't say bad news, but it's not good news either. Let's just say it's... news. I had previously asked the Residents' Committee if it were possible to get the current venue for free if I did some community work for them. I was hoping to organise a gaming session for the residents, and maybe even people who live within the district. The committee decided that response wouldn't be good at all, and would rather that I continue the current arrangement of just paying for the venue. I'm a little disappointed, but I can't say I actually expected much. I would have liked to have gotten the venue for free, and I would have liked to use my interests and hobbies as a community tool. I think if I wanted to do that, to do community service through my interests, I may have to move in other directions.

I just haven't figured out which direction yet.

I need a cheaper venue, if that's possible. I think I'd be hard-pressed to find such a place unless I get some form of support somewhere. I need a place that's central, with good facilities, and cheap. I wonder if the National Youth Council would be of any help at all...

A grand old house.

A grand house, standing on the top on a hill. It is old, run down and there are signs of a great fire many years ago. The hill drops into a cliff face on one side, and leads downwards into a graveyard. The edge of the hill is concealed by low hanging trees and overgrown grass. If one is not careful, one would fall land ever so fittingly into the graveyard, dead and decomposing.

The graveyard apparently contains the remains of a number of witches and people who practiced the dark arts. And if you want something deseperatly enough, you can make your requests at this graveyard, and it would come true. The manner in which your requests are fulfilled, however, may not be what you expected.

There was a woman once, who lived in this house, and was desperate for a child. She was desperate enough to make a blood sacrifice at this graveyard, and implored the spirits to grant her a child. Her wish was granted, and soon she was pregnant. But on the night of childbirth, terrible things occured. She gave birth to two monstrous beings, too horrendous to describe. And in a fit of madness, she ran through the house setting it on fire. She grabbed the two infant daemons and flung them over the edge into the graveyard and ran away screaming into the night.

This was the dream I had last night. I am sometimes plagued by nightmares, and by now, I am accustomed to such events. This most recent one, I blame it solely on the laksa I had for dinner yesterday. Curse you, ThaiExpress!!

Today is the last day of the first half of the year.

I kept hearing that in the office today, as though it had some sort of a special meaning or importance to it. I guess when you've been in and out of the office everyday and doing mostly the same thing day in day out, you'd take special interest and attach meaning to days that otherwise have no meaning.

Having half a year pass by is quite an event, I guess. It's past the half way mark, and for some, acts as a sort of a marker or an indication as to their achievements up to this point. For some, those achivements are minor and they may strive to accomplish more in the following half a year. For others, it may be a sign that they've accomplished quite alot, and hope to do more in the remaining half of the year. What are some of the key points in your lives for the past 6 months? Have you done anything extraordinary? Done anything different? Do you think the past 6 months have been a waste, and that you can't think of a way out of that drudgery?

For me, the past 6 months have been eventful, to say the least. I've been back serving National Service, and this time, my work was actually worth something. I had a key role to play in the Asian Aerospace Show 2006. I had a hell of a time at the Command Post at Pan Pac, and I'll remember those days very fondly. I met a good bunch of guys there and I count them amongst my better friends. I've also started a gaming group, which has met with moderate success. I've met more new people in the past 6 months through gaming than I have though my years in UQ. SOG has become a driving focus in my life for the past 4 months, and each month is almost centered around this one event. I'm glad to have the support of so many people, many of whom I've never met before March 06. They have been good to me and SOG, and I'm proud to be able to do something that can contribute to the gaming community. I've also found a job and I'm enjoying that. Being financially independent is quite a refreshing change, even if it means a lot more responsibility. I was the MC at a friend's recent wedding.

All in all, I have to say... the past half a year has been eventful. I'm in a better position now than I was 6 months ago. Using today as a landmark, I have to say I'm awful pleased at the way things have turned out. I'm happy.