Christmas: a realist's view

25th December 2007
Tuesday
Christmas: a realist's view

After weeks of not updating, I have finally decided to do a proper post (now that the effects of alcohol has worn off). Since the last update, I have been clearing my schedules, doing things that I should have done ages ago. That includes going for a dive trip, albeit a local dive, catching up with old classmates and feeling guilty for not practicing. I know the last one sounds ridiculous. If I have the time to feel guilty about it, I should be doing something to change it.

Now's the festive period. Everyone's celebrating Christmas and making merry all over the world. But here I am, changing my MSN nick and sounding like a total Grinch. But it's true ain't it? Christmas is more of an escapade from reality.

Christmas talk about Yule spirit, of giving and sharing, of caring for others usually go unheeded by the masses. Sure, there are acts of sharing during this season like christmas gifts exchanges, performers performing for the public, sending cards to friends and relatives. But what goes unnoticed is the desperate need that the lesser fortunate people has. All the resources that the government and companies have put in for celebrating Christmas can be better utilised in channeling aid to those who really need it. Afterall, Christmas is about sharing right?

With all the pomp you see in town, it really makes me wonder. What is Christmas all about? When I was younger, Christmas was about being with friends and families. And it simply represented the importance of cherishing and thanking the people around you. It came mainly in the form of annual parties and gatherings at people's houses.

Now I look around me and all I can say is that Christmas has become another business opportunity. People are simply out to make money. All the fuss about Christmas, all the publicity through various modes of advertisement, it all amounts to the figures on the financial statement.

Why are we pretending to be joyous people and turning one blind eye, or rather, both eyes blind, to the things we must do? We can party all 12 nights long and still feel empty after the festive season.


Last sunday I went to Pulau Hantu for my leisure dive. Visibility was pretty bad - at around 1m and less. Saw a couple of sea urchins, a crab and some anemone fishes. Nothing really amazing this time round. But it really is a fresh experience for my first local dive. Air consumption was pretty average, 1900psi left for a 30 mins dive. Only unpleasant experience was a inch long scratch on my ring finger caused by a hard coral. Buoyancy control was good, although control of movements could be better.

I was pretty irritated with my buddy floating all over the place and swimming off into the cloudy waters, but things are getting better with each dive. Hope we all do much better at AOWs.


Since New Year resolutions don't work out for me, I'm switching to posing challenges for myself.

New Year Challenges:
Trumpet stuff
1) Extend my range to an A by May on my new embouchure.
2) Master all my major and minor scales by March.
3) Improve my tone to better than before by April.
4) Manage the characteristic studies in the Arbans by August.
5) Improve my sense of pulse by January.
6) Improve articulation clarity by January.
7) Improve articulation speed to clear and even semiquavers in 120 bpm.

Diving stuff
1) Complete AOWs by May.
2) Go for leisure dive in Nov.
3) Improve air consumption rate.
4) Improve mobility underwater.

Other random stuff
1) Maintain my blogging frequency and blog content.
2) Be more active in doing my part for the society.
3) Be more active in conserving the environment.
4) Start exercising regularly.
5) Start sleeping normal hours.
6) Start eating meals regularly.


"Christmas is an overrated festival which simply provides justification for spending money and wasting electricity."
-Han Yong