Glenn: A Multi-User Domain (MUD) story.

I'm re-posting this here because I found it in another blog, tucked away in old, old posts, and I'm afraid of losing it.

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Glenn never told me his last name. He was a slight boy, with serious eyes. He was Xenx and he was Bremen. He loved Dalenn unconditionally.

He wanted nothing. He offered everything he had. He took her hand and led her to places in the Labyrinth both wondrous and strange. He set up picnics at waterfalls he knew she would love. He gave her faerie wings and great iron swords. He weakened monsters and mobs, then stood back to watch her bag the glory of the kill. He stood between her and dragons, and piled gold at her feet. He basked in her joy, heart beating proudly when she laughed. He knew he had made that sound burst from her lips, and he was content.

Lyn gave him nothing. She was seduced by security and reality, and didn’t think he was going to be anything but binary code and ascii roses. She dismissed him as a young man who fancied himself in love with Dalenn. He had never met Lyn, never breathed in her strawberry-scented hair, never tasted her apple-glossed lips, never cupped the curve of her hips. Never rolled in the grass by the waterfall she loved. His devotion made Dalenn blush. Lyn couldn't understand any of it. It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It wasn't real.

Glenn made Lyn cry, though Dalenn would never tell him. His matter-of-fact tone when he spoke of his broken family and violent father made Lyn ache in unexpected places. Glenn scared her with his stories of blind rage. He would beat and bruise until the red wash left his eyes. He would take down larger contenders because for a while, he was a merciless machine. He was so much younger than she was, but had lived twice the life. She wanted to hug the pain away... or fuck till all that filled the room was gasping breath, no place for anything else. If only she could reach him somehow... But then again, it wasn't real. It wasn't real. It wasn't real.

When it came down to the crunch, Lyn took the easy way out. It was Dalenn who loved you, Glenn. Sweet, gentle Dalenn, with sunshine in her laugh and starlight in her emerald eyes. Lyn's brown eyes had never met yours. Nick was security. Nick was real. Nick didn't make her ache in any unexpected place. Lyn chose Nick.

Nick eventually broke Lyn’s heart.

Ah well... Life moves on as it always has, laughing at how we thought we were going to die from that little bit of pain. She thinks of him when she least expects it, that slight boy with the serious eyes. She still has a picture he sent her from their days frolicking in the other world. She wonders if he ever found a girl who loved him unconditionally, who wanted nothing, who offered everything she had.

The email address doesn’t work anymore. I know. I’ve tried it.

James McAvoy

Yes, an entire entry on James McAvoy, albeit, a short one.

Damn boy... those blue eyes can't be natural...

I adored him in Narnia, though I didn't recognize him at first.
I ached for him in Becoming Jane, when she left him in that inn.
I watched Wanted & Atonement because he was in it.
When the trailer for X-Men:First Class came around, I was gleefully applauding the casting choice for Prof X.

Yes yes - girlfriends who are reading this, you know full well how unabashed my obsession with James darkhairblueeyesenglishaccentdelicatefeaturesjustwalkedoutofavictoriannovel McAvoy is, so you shouldn't be surprised that I'm going on and on about him now.

Those luscious lips of his are just MADE for Austin & Shakespeare. I make no pretensions. This is not head-over-heels-love... this is legs-on-shoulders-lust. (Best phrase I heard today, btw...)

Oh and yes, by the way... X-Men First Class was worth the price of the ticket. I don't think it's worth the 3D price though.

The best thing I heard today...

My Ee Poh said, "How are you going home?"
[insert dance of joy here]

Resonance...

This so resonates with me right now... like a F dim chord waiting to resolve.

Chasing Pavements - Adele

I've made up my mind, don't need to think it over
If I'm wrong I am right, don't need to look no further
This ain't lust, I know this is love

But if I tell the world, I'll never say enough
'Cause it was not said to you
And that's exactly what I need to do if I'd end up with you

Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?
Or would it be a waste even if I knew my place
Should I leave it there?
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?

I build myself up and fly around in circles
Waiting as my heart drops and my back begins to tingle
Finally could this be it?

Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?
Or would it be a waste even if I knew my place
Should I leave it there?
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?

Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?
Or would it be a waste even if I knew my place
Should I leave it there?
Should I give up or should I just keep on chasing pavements
Should I just keep on chasing pavements?

Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?
Or would it be a waste even if I knew my place
Should I leave it there?
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?

Happy Valentine's Day, love.

This Valentine's day, I'm taking stock of those I love.

Them who are there to hold your hand, for a hug, who feed you, medicate you, who tuck you in...
Who are there to drive you when you're drunk (and sometimes insist that you get drunk!)
Who are there with willing bodies to help with whatever, who are there in spirit, cheering you on...
Who pepper with sarcasm, scatter with light, roll with laughter, bless with tears and nag nag nag
Who let you dance, even if they can't understand the music
Whom you turn over in bed to spoon, reach across to kiss...
Whom you sms in  the wee hours when you can't sleep, or early in the morning for breakfast
Them whom you miss, and who miss you.

You, family
You, soulmate
You, friend
You, lover

My life is indeed rich.
I am indeed blessed.
I thank you for the kaleidoscope that is the tapestry of my life.

Uncle Cheng

My uncle Cheng passed away on Sunday morning.

It's a bit of a relief, I admit. To say that he's been having a rough time is a supreme understatement. Stomach cancer, dengue, ripping migraines, cancer redux in the brain, blindness, hearing loss... To watch him was torture. Being helpless was worse.

It's over. He's in a better place. At least he won't suffer anymore.
They say if you hear something often enough, you'll believe it.
I'll miss you, my Ultraman uncle.

It's ABsolutely Official!

Kiss frequently
Love deeply
Anger slowly
Forgive easily
Have trust
Have faith
Have a sense of humour!
The rest is icing... :)

Congratulations, Choon & Jason!

I now pronounce you Mr & Mrs Hoh

Choon and Jason got registered today.
The skies were clear, the day was sunny, the traffic was kind.
Things went smoothly, no hitch in sight (pun unintended).
Let this be the beginning of a beautiful life together.

Dr. Frankenbean I presume?

We're having dinner in Alexis.
Sugee: I already know what I'm eating. Mee Hoon Siam, cake and coffee.
Lyn: lol I tell you ah... I never knew you'd turn out to be such a coffee monster
Sugee:  hahaha..yes, you brewed me to the dark side


Apparently, I introduced Sugee to coffee many many beans ago, when we first met in Coffee Bean, Telawi.
*laugh* I've created a monster!

Ricky and Ronald... back together again. However briefly,

God it was good seeing you again.

You're easy. And in a good way. It was easy to fall back into the old rhythm. You're different, but the same.

You're a bit too skinny. Eat more.

I'm glad you're doing well. It's good to see you happy.

Don't think so much. I know it's *you*... but try. You're a good person, you do good work, you do good things, and the world is paying you back in spades. Count your blessings & play hard!

Fall in love with a girl who won't call the cops on you.

Can you please talk prices before you take her back to your place? RM50 is way too low a fee for services rendered... even if it was just for use of your equipment! ;)

I don't know what wind blew you back to our shores, but it was *Really* good catching up with you. Thank your friend for getting married *laugh* Was it only last month you were telling me to yumcha with you in Shanghai?

Come home more often - or more importantly, tell me when you do, goddammit. You know my number.

Welcome home Doreen :)

She's home and she brought pressies! :D
Dark Choc Biscotti... SIGH... entirely TOO yummy & COMPLETELY sinful! I don't know whether to thank her or berate her :P

Nick got me a Gorgeous Amber pendant. Doreen *swears* there's a dead insect there (Jurassic Park style!) but I've been staring at it till I'm cock-eyed and I still can't see anything! *laugh* I'm ecstatic in any case! Thank you Nicky baby! :)

We're going for a mani-pedi t'row, and maybe clubbing tonight. :) I'm so excited :)

God makes really beautiful things...

BaZinga!

Lisa introduced me to The Big Bang Theory. I LOVE LOVE LOVE!! :D

I can't believe I hadn't noticed it before! I allowed 3 whole seasons to pass without notice. How?????? Now I am all over-enthused and giggly over it.
It is smart and geeky and ENTIRELY Hilarious and *SO* me! Not that I'm smart or geeky or hilarious... but you already knew what I meant, right?! *grin*

Jim Parsons as Sheldon is PRICELESS. There are no words to describe how much I adore him. I know John Galecki as Leonard is supposed to be the main character, but it is Sheldon who's all perfect and brilliant and awkward and evil and Spock-like and OCD and I can so see how he is the human C3PO, and I think I'm in love.

They cast Christine Baranski as Lenord's mother. I LOVE Christine Branski and she was PERFECT! *laugh* Yes, I am gushing. This whole damn series was written for Me. Just ME!

The clip below is from the episode where Penny told Sheldon that she bought them xmas gifts. Not knowing what to give to her in return, Sheldon bought a whole bunch of gift baskets from Bed, Bath and Beyond. He plans to open her present, assess the value, and excuse himself to select an appropriate present from the bunch, returning the rest later. However, she presents him with a conundrum. J'ADORE that episode.

It's my party and I'll explode with joy if I want to

You wish you had my friends. You really really do. :)

It was a pretty good birthday already - only got out of bed at noon, quick lunch, yoga at 3, dinner with family. Supper with girlfriends would wrap it up nicely. It was the Mid-Autumn festival also, and Ann had asked if I wanted a mooncake as a birthday cake *laugh* I politely declined in favour of Caramel Banana Pancakes (YUM!).

Was supposed to be ready 10-ish, pick up Sham and meet Choon & Jason someplace or other. Sham calls me and says get ready, will sms/call when time to leave.

So I'm dressed & lazing about till it's time to go. She calls, and says ok let's go.
My dogs are going berserk outside, and I can barely hear her...

Then it occurs to me that I'm actually *hearing* MY OWN DOGS on the phone as I'm talking WITH her... There's this SURREAL moment when I'm processing this impossibility, and my legs are moving on heir own accord to the window, I look out & what do I see?

I see Sham, Choon, Jason, Sugee, Michelle, Chris & Kipsy walking down my road with LANTERNS!!!

LANTERNS!!! [insert dance of joy here]

I had told my dad on the same day that my lantern days were over... I was SO Wrong, obviously! *laugh* They sing Happy Birthday outside my gate, I hug them, all the time squealling something incomprehensible in a high pitch tone. *laugh* They had cupcakes & everything!!

We went to a mamak in Lucky Garden & ate & drank & laughed & told stupid jokes...

It was PERFECT.
Just PERFECT.

Yasmin Ahmad

Some called her Malaysia's Storyteller. She made some of the most progressive films I've seen, and certainly ALL of my Favourite ads for Deepavali/Hari Raya/Chinese New Year/Merdeka. They were funny and poignant, and were all about unity, love, roots and racial harmony in our world where we're struggling between competing in this modern world and holding within ourselves, our history, culture & values.

Some of her movies were banned from local cinemas because they were too progressive: a Really sad reflection of our protectionist reality.

Children are born colour-blind. It's only later that we develop prejudice and hate. Her ads always made us up to be cross-cultural, filially pious, mindful of our values, history, friendships... as if by putting it on TV, she could somehow make it more real... more true. She had hopes for us as a people, I guess. I always thought maybe she thought we just needed reminding once in a while, of who we were meant to be.

"Yasmin, 51, collapsed while presenting a working paper at Sri Pentas, the headquarters of the private television station TV3 on Thursday and was rushed to the Damansara Specialist Hospital... (She passed on Saturday night). The cause of death is believed to be due to brain hemorrhage." - NST

I think it'll really hit home this Hari Raya - which is fast approaching - how much we'll miss her. What a Real Loss.

My favourite ad:

Voices of a Distant Star

I found it!

The anime short that made me cry.
I first saw it about 2 yrs ago - surfing Astro, flipping channels.
There was no indication of its name.
I sat, mesmerized for 20 minutes.

It's ACHINGLY beautiful.
Made entirely on the director's Mac, voiced by the director & his fiance.

Mikako, a middle school girl, is drafted into some advanced Space Program sent to find the Tarsians around Mars and Jupiter. She leaves behind her soulmate, Noburo.

They communicate via some email sent through mobile phones. As she moves further and further into the star systems, it takes longer and longer to get each message through. Years pass between messages. Noburo tries to move on - live his own life, but he cannot seem to let go. His heart stops every time the phone beeps.

There are flashbacks of her childhood with Noburo - flashes of rainy afternoons spent talking at a bus stop, bike rides together, of watching the starship wakes claw across the sky.

As the battles rage on, ships are lost. Both wonder - even as he receives the messages, is she still even alive?

He's old enough now to join the navy. There's some vague indication that he's joining the rescue missions for the missing or destroyed ships.

I both hate and love the fact that the ending is left ambiguous.
She drifts off during a battle. We never find out if her mothership has been destroyed, leaving her helpless in space, surrounded by the enemy.

It's the ultimate long distance love story.
And it made me cry all over again.