Rendering Perspectives
Strange header for me to be starting this post with, but please dont blame me for putting down the first sophisticated term that pops into my head. It’s meaningful in two sense, firstly, I have finally gotten my hands on the Samsung G800 camera phone that allows me to now add 5.0M photos to spice up this blog (thus rendering a visual perspective) and that I have kind of an intellectual stimulating time talking to Shin Leong of Worker’s party, which made me re-evaluate some perspectives that I hold.
Okies, the camera phone first. It’s always a darling to talk about, at least for these few days. I feel that I am finally cresting the tidal wave of consumer technology. It definitely empowering to hold a device in your hands that could capture the beautiful moments of lives ( and even some random artsy snaps), and be connected to your network of friends at the same time. It’s titan gray finishes are slick and its slides open and close with smooth yet satisfying elastic “pop”. Needless to say, I fell in love. Here are some shots that I have taken with this sweet little toy. Amateurish, but look at the resolution and quality.
Tim Sum for dinner
The nightly reflection ( blah. An easy title)
Lethargically, I would have to add that 2 photos will have to do for now. I will figure out another way to add.
Shin Leong and Civil Society
Interestingly, I did not know what to expect when I first asked Aaron to show me the worker’s party. Were they people in all ties and suit? No. Were there a crowd? Well, by my definitions, no. I was ushered into a quiet, scarcely decorated room with a guy sitting alone at the end of a meeting table, put together by 6 separate tables. The initial impression was definitely a MISS, because the worker’s party HQ is located in a small unit of shophouse (heritage wise, its an early version of Singapore’s down, a fusion of houses upstairs and commerce below. Yet, its an earlier building, meaning that, in the every re-improving and upgrading Singapore cityscape, this is, undeniable – old.) with a small gathering of office workers. Politics, or rather grassroot participation over here, feels like an after office hour gathering. “Of course, of course, remarked Shin Leong, that in Singapore, everyone needs to have a livelihood, because a burning passion, or activism cannot sustain itself.” My words. Granted.
Fortunately, the night turned out to be a lucky stroll in me. Talking with Shin Leong, fueled by his occassional wittiness and insights, made be see Civil Society in a more Singaporean and pragmatically contrived context. He also gave me some leads for read-ups. And even more on his spirited activism. Good stuff, if I dont want to sound silly in USP application essay. I should be chiding myself over here. Why oh, why, I have to pick such a challenging topic that has left me wondering and perplexed for days.
What really amazed me, was the “hypothetical” political chit-chat that came up, during the coffee talks. Yes, what better, that to sip economically viable caffeine doused drinks, late in the night, at a relatively quiet coffee shop. Very interesting, albeit tasteless – truly though starbucks is probably extravagant, hence unsustainable . Astonishingly, this period produced the most interesting of talks. They let me understand little more about SDP’s Swee soon juan (probably got his name wrong) – his political connection and persona and more, and how malaysian’s recent election was a lesson to the political players. Amazing. I was totally absorbed into the parry of ideas, and the theater of guesses staged out “what ifs” and “could it be”. Suffice to say, it rendered me more perspectives and sparked off more thinking. And laughs. =D
Please do not be offended by my casual criticism or remarks. There are mere offhands thoughts, reflecting more of my brand of Lifestyle and sophistication rather that the culture of my subjects. As it is, I rather the realistic view, than the idealistic brainfood galore (where only IQ counts) or the cynical view that well, Life’s just suck. I make a judgment, and from that I know my taste. Aha.
