The Da Vinci Code

For some reason or other, lizards like my bathroom alot. I don’t even know how they get there since the window is perpetually closed. Anyway, it is a bad idea for them to be there because there have been three occasions a lizard got slammed and squashed by the door. And it isn’t till a couple of days later when I detect a foul smell (that isn’t from my toilet bowl) and the search for the dead lizard begins.

Still on the whole toilet thing, I was at the new Cathay to watch The Da Vinci Code last Friday with Dylan and Justin. Was there previously to catch Ice Age 2. Anyway, I was peeing at the urinal when I looked ahead and saw Elizabeth Taylor staring right back at me. I felt incredibly sorry for her and the other Hollywood legends plastered to the wall since all they do now is watch people do their business while having to endure the wafts of piss in the air. But i have to mention that they still look extremely dignified and every bit the star.

My thoughts on Da Vinci Code. I have to admit I have not read the book (to be honest, my last book was Life of Pi when I was in BMT. and I only got through half of it.) It was disturbing to have the entire movie centred on Mary Magdalene and the search for her tomb. I’m not about to spoil the movie for those who haven’t watched but here’s the truth. It’s fiction, that is far removed from fact. Now I start to seriously doubt what Dan Brown based his book upon.

1. Apparently, Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. This is not true. Yes, they were close, as close as Jesus was with his disciples and other companions. But Jesus was never married.
   
2. Mary Magdalene was pregnant with Jesus’ child. No, she wasn’t. She fled to deliver her baby after Jesus was crucified. No. She was one of the women who visited Jesus’ tomb on the 3rd day with offerings and spices only to find that Jesus’ body was gone. And Jesus appeared to these women to tell them to pass on the message of his resurrection to his disciples. The only descendants from Jesus’ family are those of his siblings, the other children of Joseph and Mary.
3. Mary Magdalene was in Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. No, she wasn’t. That was the apostle John.
4. The Priory of Sion exists in real life. But they were founded in 1956. Therefore, anything related to a possible secret society which included members like Issac Newton and Leonardo da Vinci, to protect the so-called descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, is nothing but fancy fiction.
5. Alternative gospels such as that of Judas and Mary Magdalene could be real but not compiled with the Bible. During the compiling of the New Testament in 367 A.D., church leaders applied important standards. The writings had to be written by people who walked and talked with Jesus, should not contradict the writings of other apostles, and the writings had to be accepted by the entire church, from Jerusalem to Rome. Finally, church leaders also trusted the Holy Spirit to guide and lead them. Alternative gospels that were recently discovered were not included in the Bible for not meeting these standards. Furthermore, when the Bible was completed, the Holy Spirit instructed that no additions or changes could be made. This is also why other denominations who have their own version of the Bible are not accepted by the Church, e.g. Mormons, Jehovah’s Witness and Seventh Day Adventists. They modified the Bible according to their own beliefs.
6. The Opus Dei is a conversative religious group within the Roman Catholic Church. They urge priests and laypeople to strenuously pursue sanctification through everyday discipline. They have taken criticism for its conservative views, zeal and secretive practices. There is, however, no evidence that their members resort to murder; nor has the Vatican entrusted the Opus Dei to violently guard the church’s deepest secrets, as mentioned in the Code. Therefore, once again, it is fictitious in the movie’s portrayal of the Catholic priests who kill in the name of God, and then ask forgiveness for doing so.

Yes. Dan Brown has written a very popular book. A religious thriller that blurs the line between fact and fiction, and questions the origins and legitimacy of orthodox Christianity. If you were to watch the movie or read the book, please be discerning about what you decide to believe in.

bizarre

there’s something about the humidity-after-the-rain that makes you wanna sit in a refrigerator all day long. even moving around at walking pace induces a pouring of perspiration.

one of the most bizarre things that could happen happened. i received a job offer through friendster from a friend’s friend’s friend. and i don’t have the slightest idea why she was even visiting my profile. but, my appointment is tomorrow. i’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is not a scam. god only knows how times i’ve been so close.

it’s funny that she even decided to contact me. wonder which bit of my profile she was responding to, the bit that i’m currently studying communications and have no idea the direction i’m heading or the bit that i want to be filthy rich. haha i am hoping it was the latter. maybe she will offer the opportunity of a lifetime. but i am getting ahead of myself here. shall have to see what happens tomorrow.

someone pls enlighten me, is ambivalence necessarily a bad thing?

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Right, still on the topic of servitude towards the nation. I decided to discuss my opinions (ok euphemism for resentment) about a Singaporean male’s 20yr (or whatever other number, depending on how fast u complete reservist) bond with the army (bond here not a pun.) with my parents. Apparently, because I don’t have loyal devotion towards my country, they have accused me of having bad upbringing, which erm, ultimately reflects badly on themselves right?

My stand is simple. I do not understand why the country should have so much control. Wasn’t 2 years enough? If you want to talk about serving the nation, I think I’ve done my part by holding my studies off for 2 years. Well, my dad thinks the country has earned our loyalty by subsidizing our education. Which I think is a load of bull. Aren’t the subsidies financed by tax revenue?

I am grateful that Singapore is stable and safe. I am also grateful that the government meets our basic needs, though it may not be true for all. And most of all, I am grateful that my family, friends and loved ones can roam the streets safe, with less likelihood of running into a robber with a knife to our faces, unlike in many other cities.

But at the same time, every male also has the innate instinct to protect the things he cares about. Whether it be his home, his wife or his kids. And in most cases, his car. But that aside, what I’m saying is that if war were to hit home, I’m going to make sure my loved ones leave here and be safe in another country. Well, whether or not I stay back to fight is a question I don’t have an absolute answer to right now. I just don’t think that innate instinct in me covers the area of sacrificing lives to fight for Singapore.

Singapore Male

So yesterday I attended my reservist briefing at Clementi Camp which is where I will be spending the rest of my life serving the nation. Couldn’t resist being cynical about the army as I’ve always been, so I went with the expectation that it was going to be a crappy session – redundant info shrouded among bad army jokes. I was right. Even though it was a Lieutenant-Colonel addressing us, he wasn’t going to spare us the jokes only regulars enjoy, that are lost on civilians. There was a big screw-up when the LTC told us he was surprised we were called up for this briefing because nowadays, they usually don’t disturb undergrads till they graduate. Apparently something must have gone wrong over at Mindef because they have our education status on hand. Why am I not surprised?

I shudder at the thought that being born a Singaporean male means that your life belongs to the state till you’re 45. And I strongly resent the fact that when we decide to migrate, the label “quitters” are bestowed on us.

Feeling from your heart, not mind.

So I’ve been doing a bit of thinking lately about what I look for in a girl. It’s kind of hard to think about it and put it in words cos I figure it’s mostly a feeling and the experience you get in its entirety from interacting with a person and whatever that is memorable/appealing that you remember, well it sticks with you, drawing/attracting you to that person. It’s hard to pen it down but I tried anyway.

• She has gotta believe in God, Christ & the Spirit, and nothing else.
• She has gotta be funny. You see, sometimes I lapse into moods where I don’t feel much like talking. But I still yearn for someone to entertain me. Yes, I need a jester. Call me selfish. She has gotta be so funny, enough to cover both our portions.
• She does not have to speak perfect English (since I totally understand no thoroughbred Singaporean can do that 24/7), but well, there has gotta be a certain standard. In other words, no chee-na type. I know I’m fussy but I have a certain obsessive-compulsive tendency to correct speech laden with errors. Just so I don’t end up slapping my girlfriend over CF (communication failure), it’s better to take precautions. My mom is a victim, and I’m not referring to the slapping.
• She should love me for me and not expect me to be someone I’m not comfortable being.
• She has gotta love some of my interests. Not all, otherwise we won’t have any personal space, but we must share some. Theatre for one. And traveling. 2 things I hate doing alone.
• Now, I gotta state for the record that long hair, a sexy neckline and one hot ass are very preferred bonuses that I swear I will never complain about.
  
• She has gotta be upfront and straightforward. I’m no genius when it comes to guessing what girls are feeling inside. I prefer laying it out and talking about it, than hiding feelings and blaming each other for being insensitive. It’s hell lot more practical and less sticky. Honesty and straight talking anyday.
• She has got to totally understand that I like joking around, so she shouldn’t take me seriously all the time. But when I am serious, I’ll make sure you know.
• It helps if we were best friends.
  

Yup, this list was a lot harder than I initially anticipated. But, it’s really heart over mind here so putting it in words, I dunno how much truth there is in that. Having said that, I can’t describe the feeling I had when the girl I felt so right about shot me a no. Yeah, words are just words after all.

West Side Story

West Side Story

Watched West Side Story today at the Esplanade. I was unfashionably late. It was disgusting audience ettiquette, I’ll have to admit. Although I was a mere five minutes late, I had to miss the entire prologue (which was a most exciting dance scene of the Jets and the Sharks) and wait ten minutes for a scene change before I was allowed in. No cameras allowed, but I have to share some of my favorite scenes, so here’s some I ‘koped’ from www.westsidestory.com.sg.

some photos i thought were incredible in capturing the energy of the dancing amidst the use of vibrant colors in lighting and costumes

the only photo i could find of Anita, played by Natalia Zisa. in my opinion, she stole the show right out of the hands of Tony and Maria.

Tony and Maria enacting their wedding.

Shall let the photo speak for itself.

Closing scene of Act One.
Tony did not sing well at all, despite him looking quite the star.

Some photos of the entire cast on stage dressed in white.
My favorite scene of all.

This scene started off with three pairs of dancers doing their ballet/flying thing to Somewhere. The rest of the cast came on and sort of just wandered around aimlessly on stage. It captured a scene much like how I would imagine heaven to be. Clean, white, pure and just very peaceful. When Tony and Maria came on to complete the rest of the duet, it encapsulated very wholly the essence of the musical’s themes, I think. Pure, innocent love that is eternal without boundaries, racial boundaries or colors to be specific. A really really powerful scene that speaks volumes.

Fantastic choreography. I actually think the cast spent half their time in midair, given those jumps they were doing. As always, Leonard Bernstein’s genius, but even that couldn’t disguise the less than desirable standard of the orchestra. And Natalia Zisa deserves many rounds of encores for her performance. Kudos.