Google has started talking!

It is finally here, despite Google having denied all rumors before. Google Talk is in town and with it, Google has entered the arena of messaging services. It is trying to give MSN, Yahoo Messenger and ICQ a run for their money. My initial try at using the Google Talk software shows that it is as good as the other messaging clients. It offers what the rest already does so no major surprises there. However, I want to point out that the interface is clean and refreshing for a change. There are no clutty advertisements or banners to make you dizzy. The predominantly white layout gives the same feel as an Apple iPod shuffle. If you already have a gmail account, you can log into Google Talk now. To download it, just go to http://www.google.com/talk/.

I am confused!

A box of chocolates which was accepted should be a good sign but why is she ignoring me,  even avoiding eye contact? I don't know what to do next; guess I shall lie low for a while...

I am a total failure…

After finally mastering enough courage to ask her out and had her sitting in front me during tea break, I had said nothing. No words, no chat, no questions. I am pathetic; cheez… I am such a loser.

Happy 40th Birthday, Singapore!

Happy National Day everyone!

60th Anniversary of the A-bomb dropping

Just finished watching the first part of the BBC documentary "Hiroshima". It was really scary how human creativity and intelligence could be used for the intention to kill and destroy; such cruelty. Let us not waste effort on arguing whether the dropping of the A-bomb was necessary or not; that is history. Innocent lives had been lost and hopefully this fact will serve as a reminder to humankind that history shall not be allowed to repeat itself. Humanity will survive...

文天祥的《正气歌》

天地有正气，杂然赋流形。下则为河岳，上则为日星。
于人曰浩然，沛乎塞苍冥。皇路当清夷，含和吐明庭。
时穷节乃见，一一垂丹青：在齐太史简，在晋董狐笔．
在秦张良椎，在汉苏武节；为严将军头，为嵇侍中血，
为张睢阳齿，为颜常山舌；或为辽东帽，清操厉冰雪；
或为出师表，鬼神泣壮烈。或为渡江楫，慷慨吞胡羯，
或为击贼笏，逆竖头破裂。是气所磅礴，凛然万古存。
当其贯日月，生死安足论！地维赖以立，天柱赖以尊。
三纲实系命，道义为之根。磋余遘阳九，隶也实不力。
楚囚缨其冠，传车送穷北。鼎镬甘如馅，求之不可得。
阴房冥鬼火，春院閟天黑。牛骥同一皂，鸡栖凤凰食。
一朝蒙雾露，分作沟中瘠。如此再寒暑，百沴自辟易。
哀哉沮洳场，为我安乐国。岂有他谬巧，阴阳不能贼！
顾此耿耿在，仰视浮云白。悠悠我心忧，苍天曷有极！
哲人日已远，典刑在夙昔。风檐展书读，古道照颜色。

The Hungry Ghost Festival

Today is the seventh month of the Chinese calendar year. It is also the month of the Hungry Ghost Festival. Tradition has it that during this month, the gates of Hell will be opened and ghosts are let loose to enjoy the offering people leave for them. The offering comes in the form of incense, hell paper money, food, and candles. There will be open-air stage performances, which we called 'ge-tai', for both the living and otherwise. The elders will also advise the young not to stay out late during this period and to be careful not to offend 'them'. I still remember a teacher of mine had told me that by reciting an ancient prose titled 《正气歌》 aloud, one can walk late in the night without being 'disturbed' by 'them'. If only I can recall how the prose goes... will post the prose when I google it;