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Have been reading on Skeptical Philosophy by Richard H. Popkin and Avrum Stroll. It is generally agreed that there is something called "the world" or "the universe." However, where did it come from?
According to present physical theory, the universe evolved from an 'original atom' which exploded, sending pieces outward. These pieces have become galaxies, stars, planets and other sorts of celestial objects. But the question that the philosopher poses is, Where did the original object come from? If it is assumed that the 'original atom' (or what is referred to as the "big bang") theory of what happened is correct, then where did the primal atom originated?
Was it caused by something else: say, a supreme being, God? If so, where did God come from? It seems plausible to hold that if anything exists, it must have been caused by something else. But then there could be no absolute first cause. But if there was no first cause, then there is no second, third and so on cause. Hence, if no first cause, then no last cause, and therefore no present universe.
Since there IS a present universe, however, there must have been a first cause that was uncaused. This is like a difficult puzzle. It seems true to say that universe must have a first cause, which is uncaused, but it also seems true to say that there could not be any uncaused cause, since everything must have a cause.
And we're back to square one: So where did the universe come from?
This is a dilemma that many of the greatest philosophers, such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and Benedict de Spinoza have addressed and to which they have offered answers. I shall explore their views haha. They are so mind boggling. Indeed skeptical, doubting every single thing.
I still remember the famous qoutes of Rene Descartes: "I think, therefore I am" (or cogito ergo sum). Bits and pieces that I remember his writing, in his Discourse on Methods, about doubting every faculty. But sadly, I can't finish the whole book because it was so profound, beyond my level of intellect. Try again...
Tired. Why am I tired? Because I ran 6km. Why did I run? Because I was forced to run. In this case, the first cause was "Singapore." Lol.
Labels: Skeptical philosophy
Went jv's house at AMK by cab at eight plus the previous night. Raining. Driver said he knows where blk 209 amk ave 3 was but turned out that he do not know. Kept detouring, fare came up to be 12.40 bucks. He still have the cheek to collect full amount from me. But my kind heart deducted 40 cents from that amount. Actually I was short of forty cents, and did not want to use my 50 bucks' note.
Stayed over, because I have to report to seletar camp at 7am. Because AMK is nearer than bedok.
This morning I hopped onto a cab. I told driver "Ser-leh-tah camp" but he heard wrongly as "pasir laba camp." When the cab was on the expressway towards Jurong, I noticed it isn't the direction to seletar camp. I alerted the driver, and he got shocked! I got even more shocked because we have drove a long way and the time was already 6.50am. I was so angry, but remained calm.
Total fare was 19.80. He collected 14 bucks from me.
Event sucks. So many goods to load and unload onto van. Fuck! For once I experienced that shitty manual work. Had chicken rice for lunch. The rice was kinda hard and lack fragrance, yet 2 assholes, one sergeant and the other private, could say it tasted very nice. I wonder if they have eaten chicken rice before. They bought 6 packets of chicken rice; to my surprise, the chilli sauce came in one big packet to be shared. So many spoons scooping the sauce, how hygienic huh. Luckily I was the first to pour, or I'll rather not have it. Should have packed into small bags as I said, but the two assholes who bought the rice said there was only a female girl manning the stall. So what if only 1 person manning? 1 person manning doesn't mean I pay less bucks for the rice huh.
Returned to jv's place to collect my bag. Took a cab from camp. Only 6 bucks. My heart almost sank a thousand feet down. And then returned home.
Went ecp for dinner and blading with dave. Den met up with his fren before getting a lift home.
So lethargic. Tml's sunday. Next week will I fall sick on tue? Hmm maybe thu better? Lol.
Two days ago bernard, a friend from sec sch days, sent a message to all saying he was out of army because of cancer. I thought he was kidding, so I took it lightly. I called his house, wanted to speak to his mum, but he refused. He called my house number, saying he was living elsewhere, but I think he do not know I have a caller ID. He asked us to visit him, so I asked where he lived. He told me compassvale, when he actually lived in anchorvale. So I was so fed up and said I will never believe. It's not that I wouldn't want to believe, but his almost always craps and nonsensical make-up stories made me think it's hard to believe. In the end wc met up with him, and he told me it was for real. But I felt nothing, perhaps because of the lie?
Fancy blaming me what kinda friend I am for not believing in him. In truth, I never believe, till I see it. Wc asked me to meet him on mon at 8pm to visit him before he undergoes chemo, but how come my first reaction was "huh so late?"
Till now I am still wondering if both are kidding :)
I just couldn't care much now. Whatever it is, it is.
Labels: Lethargy
This whole week is a long one. Working from mon to sat. Sat have to report by 7am, not dismissing until evening time. Simply a waste of my sat. Next week is going to be the same. Perhaps I shall dump an mc on next wed, but again, see how my mood goes.
There'll be some rehearsal for sat's event so can't go for running the next day. What a waste. But I am getting frustrated. Have been working out so hard to trim my tummy but it seems there's still one big watermelon even though my weight has been reduced from 59kg to 55kg. I guess very soon I'll give up. Lol. Genes will always be genes.
Oo dead. Meeting dave for prata on sat night. Gonna gain that extra pounds.
Tired.
Sleep.
Labels: Frustrated
Went out for coffee the night before with brian at pacific coffee, terminal 1. Of course I had other thing else, a hot lemon tea, because I do not drink coffee. Was about 9.30pm and I wanted to sleep, but since he got car, so save on my hassle of taking a bus, which I won't when it's dark cos I want S.L.E.E.P..
Chatted about business, his photography business and political affairs. Read from papers that Bangkok has been hostile towards Singapore because Prof. Jayakumar hosted its ousted prime minister Thaksin in Singapore. Other countries hosted Thaksin as well, but Bangkok still remain neutral with them. Why? Because other countries are big size whereas Singapore is small so BKK bully lor. Lol. Both of us can't help but agree haha. But come to think of it, I am also small size but haven't been bullied before leh. Maybe it's still not time.
Reached home at almost midnight, and I slept soon after.
Earlier I read an email from sh and made me laughed like mad, till mum said I was crazy.
2 extracts:-
1. HOW INDIA GOT ITS NAME?
> This is how India got its name.....
> The king was having sex with his mistress while thinking a name of his
> country and his mistress ask him "is it In Dear?"...
2. RESEARCH FINDING
> Research shows men are fatter than women because…
> every-night men get fresh milk & 2 big papayas while women only get 1
> banana, 2 peanuts & 1 tea-spoon of starch!
Sigh these days kinda sad and blues. No purpose in life. I wonder why?????
Labels: Jokes
Went ecp the day before with jv. Walked from east coast hawker centre to mcdonald's and back, after having sundae ice cream and fries.
Today we went jb for cny shopping, but were disappointed because we returned to singapore almost empty handed.
Out of 4 times I shopped at jb, 3 times I bought nothing.
From city square, we took a cab to holiday plaza. Sucks. Mostly video stores. So in the end we shared some bucks (MYR100.00 each to my dismay) to buy vcds. Latest movies like godiron gang, fly boys, confessions of pain, flags of our fathers etc (totalling 15 pieces). And of course, some jap xxx (only 6 pieces; buy 5 get 1 free haha). Lol. Of course, they will be delievered to jv's place. Gonna lend some jap xxx to my ylla - sc, she'll be so delighted and join in the moan and groan. I also bought an original movie titled "Bridge over the River Kwai" for MYR30.00. It's a history genre and I think I will like it.
Then we took a cab to jusco terbrau city. I thought it will be some low class shopping mall to suit my taste and budget, but it turned out to be like vivo city. Big and expensive. In the end only bought a pair of jeans for MYR70.00. That's all I bought for the day, let alone a bottle of mineral water, strepsils and vicks inhalent for my runny nose.
Our last stop was at Taman Sentosa. Sis said here got many eateries. But we couldn't find that many. Settled at a seafood restaurant for dinner. Had belacan kangkong (my all-time favourite!), lemon chicken, malted prawns and chilli crabs with fried buns. 2 soya bean drinks. Salivating. For only MYR66.80.
We returned to singapore reaching at about 7 plus. Den I shopped at bugis while waiting for dad and mum to pick me up. Bought a jacket for SGD40.00 from bugis village. At least cheaper than jb.
Gonna sleep soon.
Labels: J.B. shopping sucks
Taurus daily horoscope - Tuesday 16 January 2007
"Someone wonders what's the reason behind your serious mood. There's no reason; you're just ultra-focused on some high-priority life matters. Explaining will just waste your time. Keep on keeping on" - dailyhoroscope@astrology.com.
It's so true this time round.
It's gonna be thursday again! I'm so happy. Delighted today also because I got to see the sun after so many days of rain.
I hate rainy days. It's so depressing.
Cooked "dou miao" or small pea shoots for dinner. The taste isn't bad, but I have added a little more salt. So it tasted like salted vegetables.
Labels: Horoscope
While on my way home, I saw an advertisement on the train by NYP. It's tagline: "Choose it, Live it, Love it."
At one instance, "copycat" came out from my mind.
"Live it, Love it" is a tagline of Hong Kong Tourism Board mah! Wouldn't the lecturers know? A little sidetrack and it's gonna be like "I'm luvin' it!" - MacDonald's!
Can't stand such adverts. Maybe I am kpo to bring up such trivial matters. But small matters add up to big matters.
Perhaps, "Choose it, Regret it."
Labels: NYP
It's those blacksheeps that landed us in trouble! 2 blacksheeps to be exact, and resulted in the whole squadrons being reprimanded! 'Moo!' Ahaha. Shoo shoo!
If only I can slaughter the two with a parang and serve them sweet and sour on the table.
If you this bastard is having full of grievances, just make it heard to the top personnel and stop grumbling like a slutty girl and got all into deep shit. Petty gribes! Argh can stand it no more!
Muther fucker son of a bastard.
The sky keeps dripping water, so moodless.
'Don't say the government force me to serve," said a warrant officer. If not then WHAT??? Jesus Christ!
Can't imagine those serving the nation as regulars. I think they will, as time goes by, turn into a less capable beings somehow. Utterly 'stupid' if this is the correct word to use. Hehe maybe the sentence "If you are capable, you won't be in the army" holds true.
Labels: Wasting my golden years
Went plaza singapura this afternoon for a movie - school for scoundrels. Nice.
Accompanied a friend to taka as he wanted to buy ck perfume.
Then we dropped by at DFS Galleria to pay a visit to my dearest ylla and the gal whom I so feel like skinning her alive - xy. Ahaha.
Nanda, the coach crew, came to the counter. Still as plump as ever. With a moustache that looked unkempt.
We returned home thereafter, and I watched charlotte's web that ww and I bought in jb. Tomorrow I shall watch casino royale and slither.
Not of sound mind at the moment. A feeling of body tearing apart.
Stop the rain. I want sunny side up.
Hmm.
Labels: School for Scoundrels
Had a great exercise early in the morning. Followed by a great bowl of curry chicken mee. Just to realise how dumb I was to have wasted my effort on exercising.
Had been raining lions and tigers for the whole day. My whole body felt so wet, so uncomfortable.
After 5pm, went johore bahru for seafood dinner with 2 officers and 2 nsfs. Many dishes for MYR80 over. They got bonus, so treating us lowly-paid nsfs for dinner. My thought: "Why go so far to JB for dinner! 2.2 months of bonus can afford to eat in singapore well enough! So many seafood restaurants in east coast park for God's sake."
Returned home at 9pm.
Surfed the web.
Going to bed.
Labels: Dinner at JB
Had a great exercise early in the morning. Followed by a great bowl of curry chicken mee. Just to realise how dumb I was to have wasted my effort on exercising.
Had been raining lions and tigers for the whole day. My whole body felt so wet, so uncomfortable.
After 5pm, went johore bahru for seafood dinner with 2 officers and 2 nsfs. Many dishes for MYR80 over. They got bonus, so treating us lowly-paid nsfs for dinner. My thought: "Why go so far to JB for dinner! 2.2 months of bonus can afford to eat in singapore well enough! So many seafood restaurants in east coast park for God's sake."
Returned home at 9pm.
Surfed the web.
Going to bed.
Labels: Dinner at J.B.
Oh dear. My money is depleting again. But never mind, cos I used those 'ang pao' monies for today's outflow: return air tickets to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), Vietnam.
Will be flying Tiger Airways leaving on the 24th of March for 3 nights with a camp personnel. The thought of budget terminal puts me off, but I have to make do with it since the ticket is reasonably priced; $200.
Vietnam! I've been wishing to visit for ages. At least Ho Chi Minh City first. Cu Chi Tunnel and Mekong Delta, here I come!
Mum still do not know I am going overseas. Should I tell her? Maybe not.
Am gonna apply leave first things first tomorrow. If not approved, go on "AWOL" lor. Haha.
Labels: Saigon
I shall remember today as my extremely sway day.
All those sway thoughts that I have came true.
All those heng thoughts that I have never come true, not even once in a blue moon.
Moon, it'll never be blue.
What a wednesday blue, instead.
Labels: Sway day
My pc has crashed! Too much virus I guess, too much downloads, and those site recommendations by MEIYIN most probably! And also sis' accounting software must have contained virus. Now I have to use a laptop to surf the Internet AT HOME.
Met up with Javier the day before. We caught Blood Diamond at 4pm at the Lido. The show wasn't bad, but not too nice either. It was about how a civil war was the cause of a diamond in Sierra Leone, Africa. But most of the time we were shivering in the cold theatre, making my hair stood on ends. And hungry.
Now I realised I have watched so many movies in less than a month till I have difficulty choosing which movie to watch. Most afraid to select a lousy one.
We had dinner at Sakae Sushi in Heeren. My fried tofu took some time to be served on my table, but my chawanmushi took forever.
Then we walked to Plaza Singapura, and called it a day at Bugis where I joined dad and mum home. Saved on my bucks today as movie and dinner were treats haha.
This morning I visited the video store again. Guess I am gonna get addicted to it. Rented Anna and the King. It was an old movie produced since my secondary school days, but I have yet to watch.
It was about the influence of Anna Leonowens as a school teacher to the royal family of the then Chakri Dynasty. But I wonder if the real Maha Mongkut (Rama IV) really had an affection for her haha! It really reminded me of my history lessons. I simply enjoyed them.
If I could remember right, Maha Mongkut was the one who abolished prostration, promoted education, constructed Thai's first railway? and maintained Siam's independence by establishing ties with foreign powers. His son, King Chulalongkorn, later abolished slavery and instituted religious freedom. What a great teacher Anna Leonowens had been and her contributions to Siam were remarkable.
Kings' lives are great. They have so many concubines. Different set every single night. Laughs.
Labels: Blood Diamond
It's friday again, but my mood is dampened by my already tired body. Tired because I can't sleep for the past two nights without sleeping pills, and forced myself to embark on a vigorous exercise regime. I am so afraid to grow plump.
Today is my army unit's cohesion day. So I went for lunch with my unit people at Dragon Gate Restaurant in Harbourfront. The dim sum buffet lunch tasted like shit! The century eggs congee tasted just like plain white porridge. The rest were mostly deep fried. The 'siew mai' tasted awful. Everything sucks from top to bottom. Luckily the lunch was on unit's account.
After that we made our way to safra at mount faber for bowling session. Holy God. I thought we would only play 2 games. Who knows we have to play 4 games before calling it a day. After the end of the second game, everyone was tired out and care less to aim it right. We just throw the balls, for the sake of throwing. At the end of everything, our pathetic fingers were red and almost swollen. I'll hate bowling for life from now on. Anyway I didn't like it in the first place.
I received an invite from my ex-company a few days ago for dinner to be held today with the boss from kl. Boss said he missed me and so wished I was still with the company. Oh my God! I was so happy to hear that! I wanted to go, but increasingly felt weird if I were to join the other employees, just like what ylla said. So without a choice, I have tell white lies, saying that I have extra duties to do in camp. Next time round! Hmm should I work on saturday and sunday? But won't that be tiring?
Labels: Cohesion Day
Tomorrow's back to camp day. So today I am winding down all activities.
Woke up past midday, and did abs exercise before buying lunch.
Popped by at the video store wanted to rent "The Road Home" and "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles," both of which were directed by Zhang Yimou. But they were not available.
In the end I rented "Jasmine Women," or mo li hua kai, directed by Hou Yong and acted by my all-time favourite, Zhang Ziyi. So I watched from three plus to five plus, before heading to the video store again to return and got a one dollar rebate.
Bought a loaf of wholemeal bread. It was my dinner.
Going for a shower now. It's showering now.
Labels: Jasmine Women
