Friday, May 25, 2007

And All You People Say I Can't Crap! :P

This is Richard Lim, reporting live from Peacehaven, Genting Highlands. This very site has been rife with supernatural activity and it is now a hotspot for various scientific and psychological studies. Ladies and gentlemen, please do not be alarmed. What you’re about to read is perfectly safe. Unfortunately, I cannot claim this report to be a distortion or an illusion. Make no mistake friends; there are unseen forces around us.


On a cold, dark and stormy night, the sinister faction known only as Joyannjannah infiltrated the premises of Peacehaven. There, a group of holidaymakers, the Koinonians, lay deep in sleep. Stealthily making their way to the pantry, the four mischief makers laid out their plans to wreck havoc. Cackling with eerie laughter, they conjured their spells and cast them in unison. Nothing was spared as their spell held sway over the people, the premises, the cute little birds and even the food. Their supernatural presence was felt immediately as a group of women went into frenzy throughout the night, dancing and singing in a strange unfathomable language depriving the Koinonian girls of sleep.

Strange things were happening as well in the guy’s dorm as an abominable creature only known as Kelvin’s Bird (Coined by Aaron) traumatized the men with shrieks of anguish. This kickstarted a chain reaction as gastronomical emissions were heard throughout the dorm, resulting in a foul odour. Grown men feared the night and with the abomination lurking outside, many could not bring themselves to close their eyes. “I don’t like to sleep alone. Stay with me please. Don’t go.” So terrifying was the ordeal that the strongest man within the group had to radio and wait for backup to answer nature’s call. “Look mom, I’m gonna pee pee my pants.”

As morning rose, the cackling from the pantry ceased and the shadowy faction disappeared as quickly as they came. But the die was cast. Weakened and weary from the night’s ordeal, the Koinonians eagerly sought replenishment and warmed to the bread and butter that lay prepared for them. However, the bread and butter had been tampered with and the night’s happenings were just a ploy to weaken the mental faculties of the Koinonians. The bread and butter served a more sinister purpose and as the Koinonians ate, they became subservient to the magic spell cast upon them.

The following pictures are scenes of mass hysteria at Peacehaven. Some of you may find them disturbing and if there are children around, please ensure that they’re tucked into bed. While nothing suspicious has transpired in the studio, there have been reports of young children fainting or going into a trancelike state upon viewing these pictures. Parents, please, do the right thing. Nothing is what it seems.

That scene from Love Potion no. 9


That scene from Pinnochio
"I'm a real boy!!!"


That scene from Jack and the Beanstalk
"Look mom, I'm tall."


That scene from Wag the Dog
"More! More! More!"


That other scene from Wag the Dog
"Is this the pirated DVD sniffing labrador?"


That scene from American Idol
"Before William Hung was, I am!"


That scene from Hulk
"Me smash, you die!"


That scene from Borat
"Everybody's talking about me. I don't care what they say..."


That scene from Independence day
"Take me with you!!!"

A manhunt is out in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. Joyannjannah is wanted dead or alive. Do contact the local authorities if you see them making a strange appearance. Preemptive measures have already been taken with detachable crosses placed outside every holiday rest house and hotel. They are quite distinct and they come with the sign saying “If you’re going much further, please take one.”
This is Richard Lim, signing off.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Never on Thursday (The Superficial)

I got my first car accident on a Thursday. I broke up twice on a Thursday. I got mugged on a Thursday. Yup, I was the victim of an attempted burglary on a Thursday, no prizes there. And no, it does not get any better as my favourite pooch, Pongo died on a Thursday as well. To add insult to injury, lightning decided to get chummy with me on a Thursday and my modem and router were fried.

Yes, I was playing WoW during the storm. Don’t laugh. It was in the middle of a 20 men raid. I had a commitment to 19 other gals and blokes! Raiding is serious business okay! Frankly though, if I had the choice, Thursday would be taken off the calendar. While I’m not superstitious, I can do little but accept the sad, sad, fact that Thursday has never gotten along with me. Almost sounds like a relationship eh? Well, it’s an awfully bad one and Thursday is one bad woman. Jezebel! Bad! BAD!

Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it all. A few weeks ago, I hoped for a speedy end to the exams and a quick transition from schoolboy to penguin (Office people walk in a line. The blind lead the blind and when one falls, they all fall). A speedy exam is one thing but it is another thing to have your weakest paper moved up by six days. Lesson no. 1: Keep your big fat mouth shut! But it is all good. A fast end can’t be that bad right? At least, I could look forward to a good holiday, or so I thought, for the fickle hand of fate ensured that the twist of events was anything but.

Everybody has a summer holiday. Doing things they always wanted to. Fun and laughter on a summer holiday; no more worries for me, for me and you. “Dear Richard, please be informed that we would like to make an amendment to our prior appointment. You will be interviewed immediately after our lunch.” I’m going where the sun shines brightly. I’m going where the sea is blue Siaran tergendala. How can like that!

22 hours after my final paper and I’m up for an interview on Thursday! THURSDAY! Pete’s sakes! Oh well, I wanted it fast didn’t I? Yes, the fact that Thursday didn’t excite me too much either. But still, I looked forward to the opportunity with great anticipation. And I made plans to ensure that this Thursday would be special. Of course, I prayed to the Big Fella Upstairs for insurance. Contingency plans are important ok? That’s Management 101 for you. Deciding to take it all on the chin, I put my best foot forward in faith believing that this Thursday would be special. Lesson no. 2: He comes to make all things new. So you’d better live that way. I scheduled my Thursday. I wanted it to be special.

Lunch with a sister and a good conversation set me in the mood. Oh, and let’s not forget the food. Game 1: Richard. Meeting another sister in the industry put me in the groove. And more roti bakar added the vroom. Come on roti, light my fire! Game 2: Richard. Calm before the storm. And the moment and truth came and lo and behold, up stepped Tweedledum and Tweedledee who were supposed to interview me! And they actually look human! And what was poor old Richard supposed to do? Poor boy, he was so full and lost in the woods. And as the interviewer spoke, the poor boy spoke up, “Grandma… what big teeth you have!” Laugh now.

For the first time in many Thursdays, time flew by. And as the interview ended, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. All glory to Him! Game, set and match: Jesus! The Thursday curse is over! And looking back, i paired up twice with lady luv on Thursdays as well. For on Thursday you were made and to Thursday you will return. Thus sayeth the... okay, okay. But nevertheless, for safety purposes, Thursday is still an off limits zone until road repairs are completed. I apologize for the inconvenience caused.


NEVER ON THURSDAY

Oh you can kiss me on a Monday, a Monday, a Monday

Is very, very good.

Oh you can kiss me on a Tuesday, a Tuesday, a Tuesday,

In fact I wish you would.

Oh you can kiss me on a Wednesday, a Friday, a Sunday,

And Saturday is best,

But never, never on a Thursday, a Thursday, a Thursday,

Coz that's my day of rest.



P.S. Dedicated to Hannah and Sarah for making this Thursday an enjoyable one! You girls rock!

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Are You Watching Closely?


I give you my heart
But not for your keeping
For only God’s hand
Can contain its seeking
He calls us all to do His bidding
I guess I’m budding

Sometimes I laugh and sometimes I weep
Sometimes I stray and sometimes I seek
Sometimes I fall and sometimes I bleed
I guess there is nothing new this week

I stand with you
But not near you
The pillars of the temple are apart
But stand together to serve God’s heart
So let it be with me and you
May we stand to serve so true

Call out my name and I’ll be smiling
Call out my name and I’ll be with you
Call out my name and I’ll come running
It is never too late for me and you

No tree grows
In another’s shadow
No happiness shows
When one is in sorrow
Think again when you see the ordinary
Are you watching closely?

Happy Mama Day. Three cheers for Haagen Dazs, Krispy Kreme and Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline. It all comes in threes... craving, satisfaction and inspiration. :)

Sunday, May 06, 2007

See Harry, See Richard


I was never a big fan of comic superheroes. Superman, Batman, X-Men, they strike me as fleeting fads. I might however, make an exception for Wonder Woman but I don’t think that movie is ever coming out. The latest superhero flick, Spiderman 3 is now at a cinema near us and as usual, I was not particularly keen on catching it. Nevertheless, I ended up giving it a go as some friends who were drunk or high on crack remarked that I resembled Harry Osborn, a character in the Spiderman franchise whose life is intricately tied to your friendly neighbourhood superhero, Peter Parker.

Harry and Peter share an amazingly dramatic relationship throughout the three movies. Initially, starting off as the best of friends, things become complicated and their relationship hits many a rocky patch. Things all but improve when Harry blames Spiderman for the death of his father (The original Green Goblin) and it gets even more pear shaped when Harry discovers that Peter is actually Spiderman. Originally unable to bring himself to stab Peter when he had the chance, Harry is consumed by hate and bitterness. He decides to finish the job his father started and put an end to his once best friend. Biding his time and fueled by an insatiable rage, Harry plots and waits.

The third Spiderman movie sees Harry taking on the role of The New Goblin and he wastes no time in getting even with Peter. Confronting his old friend, Harry pushes him to the brink and beyond for the most part of the movie, albeit for a brief spell of amnesia where Harry momentarily forgets his hatred for Peter and in fact declares that he would die for him. At the end of the movie, Peter seeks Harry’s help as the odds are too great for Spiderman alone. Harry in his role as The New Goblin could help even the balance in the effort to save a common friend in her plight, Mary Jane.

Harry initially turns his back on Peter but changes his stance after some soul searching and discovering the hurtful truth. Coming to Peter’s aid in the nick of time, Harry contributes massively and the day is won, but with a cost. Laying done his life for Peter, Harry uses himself as a human shield and is impaled in Peter’s place. And as the dust clears, Harry and Peter share a final moment together. The friendship is restored and I recalled a quote from JFK. “Geography made us neighbours. History made us friends. Necessity made us allies. Those whom God joined together, let no man put asunder.”

Although I find it slightly humourous that I can be compared to Harry Osborn (I’m not half as good looking and I’m not 1% as rich), I respect the comparison as far as a change of heart is concerned. I was a very angry and bitter individual in the not so distant past and for that I apologize. If any of you want to remember me, please remember me for who I am now. Remember me as an idealist without illusions. Remember me as one who enjoys the comfort of receiving while enduring the discomfort of giving. Remember me as one who loses himself. Remember me for a heart of flesh instead of a heart of stone. I believe in Christ and stand on His rock. That is my conviction for myself and my commitment to you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Remember me this way.