Reunions. Revelations. Recollections. Realizations.

Reunions.

It's been an eventful weekend. I had dinner with my new friends on Friday, then another one with old friends on Saturday and caught a movie (The Wind that Shakes the Barley, which I highly recommend) on Sunday. I had a good time with my friends on both counts and when I spent time on my own, I had epiphanies that sprang on me like a thief in the night. But in a good way. Erm, if that were possible. OK, maybe a good thief. The kind that doesn't mess your house afterwards?

I am digressing.

It was a great time having dinner with friends. But there is always the issue of what to do after the meal… Do we go for a nightcap of coffee and continue with the conversations or should we just go home… which they did, which is kind of an anticlimax.

But I was really glad to have caught up with my old army mate and also made plans to meet up again to discuss my finances (which is WAY better than my previous acquaintances advices of, “oh just leave it to God” and its manifold incarnations).

Revelations.

Coincidentally, his beau is also in the same line (as I am) and we got to chatting and sharing our experiences (read 'lamenting'; 'gossiping'; 'bitching'). Actually, I did most of the ellipses. One of which concerns the now famous case of 'Laing Throoyor Teethitis' related to a certain long-haired creature (of questionable morals; but more about that later) who was able to bear false witness about me in front of a whole panel of committee members, while simultaneously shared biblical messages about lying and bearing false witness on thy brethren.

Harrumph… indeed.

I was once told that there are selected groups of people with whom that person would like immediately whilst developing an immediate distaste for others for no apparent reason. If one belongs to the former group, you'd be praised for being melodious even if you were to have farted at the most inopportune time (say in a lift with all major board members…?). While for the latter, there seems no apparent reason for having found disdain, other than one not liking your face. Or as one of my colleague once phrased, “I hate your face…!”

If not liking my face is the reason (and most probably the only one at that, given that I try my best to do my job), than obviously that person has an issue with God, since my face IS given by God, as one would subscribe to in one's belief.

If that person does not like my face and I am made in the image of God, then obviously that person does not like god, despite all the sharing of messages and preaching everyday in the name of God… hmm… gets you thinking, doesn't it?

In any case, to those who know whom I am talking about, I just had a revelation today (albeit a very nasty, bitchy one, but hey, even God has a sense of humour too). I may not be as bright or accomplished as you, but I can learn and I can work towards my goal.

However, THERE IS NO CURE FOR UGLY.

Speaking of which, I left you hanging about the questionable morals bit just now. Apparently, that person was transferred out of a certain gilded cage because of certain indiscretions of the *ahem* extracurricular kind. Although up to this point one can only speak of it as hearsay and rumours, there can be no smoke without fire. Even if the grapevine information were false, can you imagine the reason for another person to start such vicious attacks and slanders on another's character and moral bearing?

Given the nature of the rumour, I wonder what's worse - that the person was indeed indiscreet, or that one's character would be so hate-inducing that it warrants a third party to peddle such slanderous and insidious remarks (and was able to make it somehow, believable).

Recollections.

Memories. They have the ability to blindside you when you least expect it and knock the emotional wind out of you without warning. They can sometime leave you breathless and drowning in your own cold sweat. So I am glad I did not react that way when I bumped into the Change of Guard Parade today at the Istana. I did, however, laugh at the folly of my youth.

“I remember L.A. Seems a lifetime ago We were stars on Sunset Boulevard What a movie we made”

There was a time, when I was younger, I would faithfully attend every single CoG parade that was commandeered by someone I used to know and regard dearly. I would walk alongside, contrasting my civvies with his uniform; my 35mm camera with his ceremonial sword.

“There were days in the sun That have stayed forever young Nights when passion was invincible We thought love would never die”

Thinking of it now, in hindsight and from a distance, I admit, it was all very foolish. This is especially when he didn't appreciate my effort in walking down and taking shots (which were a challenge for the crowds). In fact, the obverse was more often expressed - in regards, I was an irritant and annoyance, always tagging along for no apparent reason. I never expressed the reason for my attendance nor was it ever understood.

“There were moments in that lifetime That my heart still replays There were minutes, there were hours, there were days There are moments I still love you that same way When I remember L.A.”

Today when I walked by the parade, I smiled. Not for the fond memories, mind you. More for the follies of youth. But I thought, as a young man passed by me, sweating, running alongside the parade contingent with a camera (digital this time round) in hand and I thought I saw myself from years ago. Then I caught myself and considered, “Better luck to you, young man! I hope he appreciates what you are doing…!”

I really do.

“I remember goodbye I watched your plane out of sight Love was over, time to close the book Still I go back for one last look”

Lyrics from “I Remember L.A.”, performed by Celine Dion.