Reality & movies

I love stories which are real. Or at least virtually realistic. Close to reality. Very close. If we are an audience and we hear a good story, a story which is real or almost real, we can easily relate to it and say, "Gosh this can happen man. It is possible." Then we can go like, "Wow." "Yeah tt's something serious to consider man." The impact is there.

That's why I hate The Day The Earth Stood Still. Once the part when the alien landed came, I knew I'm not gonna enjoy the movie. I'm not some 8-year-old kid fascinated by aliens. Even if they wanna talk about aliens, it should be shown in a realistic way. Maybe I dun buy the alien idea anymore. The last time extra- terrestial matters really mattered to me was Sightings which was in 1995? God that's like been a decade.

Body Of Lies is good. It's realistic. Terrorism and unexpected explosions here and there. The thing that it is unexpected sounds scary. The fact that it is real really scares. Now that is a good movie.

Race experience

Jo called. There's an MR25 time- trial tomorrow. But Marcus initially wanted a long run and swim at East Coast. I too thought that the long run is appropriate. But then I gave a second thought. The time- trial will give me good experience. Good race experience.

So I said yes to the time- trial and my mind started to prepare for it. Who will be running? What mental strategy to use? Will it kill me?

This is the thing about race experience. The more you race, the more you know. Your knowledge base about racing somehow grows. A specific kind of knowledge base. I raced in the Standard Chartered 10k 2008. Will the formulae and mental strategies work again tomorrow?

It pays to push

Many times in races we will realize what could have happened, what we should've done. Or if it was a success, we would be satisfied without a doubt. So i guess it's worth suffering like hell before the result- and after the result it's heaven.

Standard Chartered 10k

The Standard Chartered 10k is arguably the most prestigious 10k race in Singapore because it boasts one of the toughest competition field and one of the widest commercial and media coverage. It is also well- planned and provides great welfare for the runners, for example, the many drink stations that lined the route. The route is historical, memorable, symbolic and scenic. The race is a favourite for many, both elite and recreational runners.

2008 took a bit of a turn from the convention in the previous years. This year there's a slope up Sheares Bridge just after the 5k mark. And there's not much of a clash with the other categories runners. And the end turn is a bit different too.

2008 is won by a Gurkha policeman, followed closely by Singapore running sensation Rui Yong.

Kill from the start. And to the end.

7 December 2008. End of season. Last race of season. And it ended nicely. Neat. Right. Well. A testimony. A self- redemption. It's more than self- redemption.

It just brought this whole desire back to life again. And I've found life in interest. I've found life in enthusiasm. I've found life in energy. Mental and physical synergy. Responsiveness. Grit. And vigour.

It's back.

The race was great. When I needed the energy, it came. Thank God. When I needed 1st gear, it helped. When I needed mental endurance, it's present. Though I'm left shattered, i think it played like Shattered by The Rolling Stones. Through and through. I didn't think back.

It brought up that i'm a real 5k runner. Kill from the start. And to the end.

Private transport vs public transport

Private transportation in Singapore would definitely chalk up more costs than public transportation. At least in the case of owning cars. But for some, the ease that private transportation provides is an investment worth paying for. In public transportation, you have to travel through different points before reaching the destination. Take the feeder bus to the train station. Wait for the train. And oh ya before that wait for the bus. At peak hours, good luck to you. In the train journey, there are a number of transfers. East- west and North- south lines of that sort. The list goes on and on. That's how big a hassle public transportation is. And ya you may have to stand throughout the journey. Hmm one plus point is you can read a book?

Private transport is, simply, convenient, convenient and convenient. No detours. No beat around the bush. No transits. No standing. No waiting. No wasting time. Just plain direct transportation. To the destination. In the fastest time possible. As soon as you fasten the seatbelt and press the accelerator, you're on the run.

It really is a difference.

The job

"My job is my life". "My life is my job". Which way makes more sense? The former seems connected with deep feelings of passion and pure energy. While the latter, as it seems, sounds like a boring life. Cause we all know life is not all about making money. But it is about money. This is how crazy the world is. Hahah.

What are the factors that determine the kind of job you choose? First of all, money. That's a total no- brainer. Then the interest. Then working hours. Private/ government. Family- friendly? Whether it can last. Health- friendly? And more. But those I can think of right now may be, could be, the most pressing and significant at press time.

I hate this intense thinking for some reason but if there is one job that can keep me well- occupied and save my life, that'll be great.