Singapore & Its Kraftwerk Quirks

I had just come back from Kraftwerk concert in Singapore’s Esplanade, and boy, I was impressed! While the 3D visuals were rather disappointing, I did experience several goose-bump moments. That was a testimony to how much better their electronic music sound live.

My phone photography wouldn’t do justice to Kraftwerk’s concert. So, I’m posting two photographs taken in Singapore’s Tiong Bahru area instead. They are my little tributes to Kraftwerk. The top picture is for the song “Autobahn” (German for motorway), while the bottom picture is for “Tour de France” (LOL).

Although Kraftwerk does not produce new songs these days, I would still recommend seeing them live. Their music and show are art by themselves. Besides, the band is a major influence to many of today’s pop music, from Coldplay to Jay Z, from Daft Punk to Kanye West. 

Curious? Take a peek at their LIVE show.

—
Tiong Bahru, Singapore

Day 125: Escape

I quit my job last month, and for a while, it felt really nice to have a break. But, as some people would say, you can never have too much of a good thing. I have reached the stage where my weekdays just roll into weekends. Not a good sign.

When I was at my job, I kept thinking that once I had quit, I’d have more time for writing screenplays. Now that I’ve quit, my time usage has rather been sub-optimal. Yes, I am keeping myself busy as I apply for jobs. Yes, I’ve been taking free online courses on Coursera (highly recommended!), finishing my comedy web series (please ‘LIKE’ Facebook page for updates!), and learning how to edit videos on Adobe Premiere Pro. Yet, I still haven’t written much in the past month.

This makes me realise of the danger of looking at life with a short-term perspective. It’s like how Fridays are the only things people look forward to in their lives. At this rate, I’ll never get any writings done.

I am going to create a proper schedule, so that I could properly set time for writing, learning and getting creative. When 2013 is over, I do not want to regret not organizing my time better for the things I love.

Meanwhile, I’ve promised my Mom that I’ll get a job by the time she visits me again in Singapore. One month.

—
Asian Civilisation Museum, Singapore.

Day 124: The Bench Moment

I have to admit: I have a certain fascination with park benches. Blame it on films such as “500 Days of Summer” and “Forrest Gump”.

It is the fantasy that, when you sit on an isolated bench by yourself, a (attractive) stranger of an opposite gender will come to take on the bench’s other half. As you start talking with the person, you realise that both of you get along really well. Some magical conversations ensue.

Of course, such things are called fantasies for a reason. These things don’t always happen in real life, but they can occur from time to time.

Of the bench encounters I’ve had, only one has been memorable thus far. It occurred two years ago in Prague, Czech Republic. The bench was on the hill of Schoenbornská Zahrada. I was resting after a long walk, while the man was taking a cigarette break. The park provided us with an escape from the urban life. We spoke for close to an hour about life in general. After our descent down the hill, we came back to the reality of Prague, and we parted ways. We didn’t even exchange names the whole time.

Here’s to many more interesting bench encounters in life.

—
Botanics Garden, Singapore.

Day 123: Deep Blue

“When the tides of time turn against you,
And the storms of life sink your boat,
Don’t cry and scream and holler,
Just turn on your back and float.”

Quoted from American sitcom ‘The Honeymooners’

—-
Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Day 122: Quit Playing, It’s Tea Time

Time for you and time for me,
And time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions,
Before the taking of toast and tea.
– T.S. Eliot

Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Day 121: Only God Forgives

It is interesting to see the different manifestations of divine powers that humans have come up with.

A week ago while in Vietnam, I visited the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. The Cao Dai religion is a culmination of a few religions, including Buddhism, Christianity and Confucianism. In their prayers, the worshipers faces the Divine Eye, which represents God.

I believe that most, if not all, religions lead towards the same path. The question of religion should then become whether one believes in the existence of God.

Happy Easter!

Day 120: All At Sea

A few years ago, I came across a Japanese saying about water. It commented on how water could represent both life and death. One could not live without water. Yet, one could also easily lose his life to water. Such is a paradox of life.

RIP Prof Winston Koh 1963-2013
—

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Day 119: Nobody Knows

Somewhere, the gods are laughing at us humans. “Hooray! Hooray! The end of the world has been postponed,” as the creator of Tin Tin comic series would say.

If doomsday did occur, my last day on earth would have been lame. I wasn’t saying my last prayers. Instead, I was singing along to One Direction songs with my colleagues.

How did you spend your supposed last day on earth?
—
Bugis, Singapore.

Day 118: Rule of Three

As the saying goes, two is a company, three is a crowd. But, hey, I have to admit that the three can pack punches!

Consider if there are two little pigs rather than three. Or, only two bears to scare Goldilocks away. Would the stories have worked as well? I doubt so, though I could still picture the two bears kicking Goldilock’s butt. Using the rule of three, one creates tension, builds the tension and then releases it.

Rule of three is one of the easiest writing tool. Admittedly, at times I can get too carried away with it! Time to start breaking the rule…

—
Lavender, Singapore.

Day 115: Beaming Bangkok

“Colors are the deeds and suffering of light” goes a quote by the German artist Johan Wolfgan von Goethe.

I first stumbled upon this quote while reading the photography book of Alex Webb titled “Suffering of Light’. The Magnum photographer commented of how he was mesmerized by the radiance of color photography, especially of photos taken in the tropical region.

While the streaking sun had bothered me much while I was in Bangkok, I am relieved of the slight tinge of vibrancy in my photos.