Time and GTD

Time is really a luxury which sadly I fail to have.... the day inches nearer but I aren't moving that much nearer. GTD (Getting things done) is something that I must do but to do that I need that luxury to do so.

Why why why.

Limited by the hours of day, the rising and setting of sun.
Limited by a saddled brain.
Limited by the very things I am suppose to do.

Yes, I know that:

The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible(Arthur C. Clarke)
However, is it possible? Rules are set. You can't change time. You can't do the impossible of extending time. The sun cannot be stopped from rising neither can it be stopped from setting. Freezing it is out of the question.

Looks like thou has to find another way.

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. (Benjamin Franklin)

Squander not time, as the significant event is near.

Cherish the present, and look forward to what is inevitable.
(GenSephyr)

Milestones: Passing the baton

Its been a few days, (3 days to be precise), since the last training. Been enjoying myself these few days.

Yep. Thats right, I had my last training last Wednesday, May 30th. It marked the end of 6 years in bowling. Memories aplenty. I don't know to feel happy or sad.

May 30th, has, with it, another significance. It was the stepping down of the 2006-2007 Executive Committee of Bowling. I relinquished my post as the Secretary and the Webmaster of the Temasek JC bowling events and announcement website.

It seems not too far ago when I was propelled into the team, blur and all, not knowing many of my team-mates and I still remember my reluctance to go back into bowling after my stint in secondary school. However, I still don't know what enticed me back into it. Ok... Maybe I do know the reason... buried somewhere in my mind.... Its just that I don't want to admit it =P

Since that fateful first training, many things has happened...

Over 2 years, (slightly over 1 year to be precise), I've made some good calls, made some bad calls too.
Came up with a id system for attendance filing as well as my personal database for attendance (for my use only though).
Designed, implemented the website, brought most things online etc.
Although some were scrapped later, looking back, it wasn't really how effective it was, but rather, the process which was required before finding a suitable method was the part which was enjoyable and filled with learning points...
On top of that, there are also other learning points (HR and social for example), that just can't be put into words here...

Fast forward to last week, I've already been through another 2 National school's competitions, National Age Groups, other mini tournaments and stepped down from the competition scene for good (at least for now).

Its been days.. and I still don't know what to think.

Starting 31st May the new committee (2007-2008) has already taken over. All I can say is, congratulations to Darryl, Chris, Marcus, Yixuan, Natalie and Petrina, in forming the new committee.
May you bring the team to greater heights....

Blogging Code of Conduct should be a Guideline NOT Mandate

I guess this is something we all know this will come sooner or later...

In the Straits Times Digital Life Section (May 8, 2007, Page 31), an article titled: "Do bloggers, and readers, need a code of conduct" is very apt and pertinent.

I for one has asked myself this when I first heard about the drafting of the blogger's code of conduct over at blogging.wikia.com

Indeed, there are now threats being made via anonymous comments and also the intolerable advertisements post via the blog's comments system or some chat or tagbaord system on the blogs.

However, the question is, why do we need one? The allure of blogs is its openness, "anonymity" as well as it free-flowing nature. Any comments are posted and aired. Would this code of conduct then turn against the very foundation which blogs are built on?

In this digital age, the internet is used as a personal haven as much as a business tool. With the increasing affluence of the people, and the ease of internet use nowadays it is no wonder some sort of code of conduct is need. That is however, usually covered by a country's law.

However, there has been an increasing need to put some sort of guidelines for blogs. Blogging has seen an exponential increase these few years. With many companies also moving into the blogging scene. With such a trend, and the simplicity of opening up a blog, it is no wonder that many incidents are also happening which are related to blogs.

The online nature of blogs has exposed itself to the internet pits. The list includes (but isn't limited to): flaming, Bias comments, Unwarranted accusations and so on. And with the increasing use of blogs as a media for information, the question on the privacy of one's sources also come into play.

I personally feel that the code of conduct is definitely a good thing to have. However, knowing the nature of blogs and being a blogger, I think that it shouldn't be something made compulsory. Anything made compulsory especially on the web always have an effect of turning people off. Whats more, the web usually presents a snowball effect on the simplest of things.

So in conclusion, I do welcome a "code of conduct guideline" but not a "code of conduct mandate".

The Last Samurai

Was watching The Last Samurai on Television. Although I felt if that scenario happened in the real world, some deaths can be prevented. However, besides that, I think one quote that is worth giving thought about is:
There is Life in every Breath

This quote seems simple enough, but with it encodes a valuable lesson I think.. That is to treasure life and feel every step you take. You can't regret in the future and go back to the past...

Other gems (memorable conversations) found in the movie include:

Katsumoto: You believe a man can change his destiny?
Algren: I think a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed.

Emperor: Tell me how he died.
Algren: I will tell you how he lived.

Broken as it is...

Its been a week since I last blogged... Everything is going past very fast... A blink of an eye an its gone... Busy with almost everything. Schools not making anything easier. 8 hours of sleep? Thats history...

Broken as it is

Come to the topic. Nothing was actually broken.. Perhaps mentally but not physically...

I guess 2 main events. Caused my heart to break like a thin glass.... One happened a while ago (Event Number 2), and that I need sometime to organize before could write about it...

Lets start with Event Number 1...

Event Number 1 (only a small crack): Ok.. for the boring one... bowling today was a bit of a heart break. Videos and friends say otherwise, but to the coach it still seems wrong... time delay? Friends say yes, videos say yes, but coach say no.

Just what am I going to do???

Now for Event Number 2 (its broken entirely): Well... its already some time... but this was a big heartbreak.. Ok.. not that big.. but at least it was a closure... Or so I thought..

Still got lapses of aching-ness.. But at least I can sleep at night now... I really shouldn't dwell on it... but sometimes just can't help myself... at least everything went back ok... Certain degree of changes definitely.. my HP also went darn silent.. it became so eerie....

I really need to refocus...

-out-

A busy schedule

Its been a hectic few weeks. I know I haven't been blogging. My time at the computer has been limited to work and emails. Moreover, I forgot that I could blog by email. Though its only the 2 week at school (really feels like the 1st week only because of orientation activities), there has been tests scheduled and I am hard-pressed for time.

Over the past few weeks, other than recovering from a bad case of food poisoning and Stomach Flu, I turned 18 also. Finally M18 shows... Not that I am rushing to watch one. Its just nice to know that I can legally watch one if I want.... Anyway, below is a summary of events and thoughts (if any):

Orientation 2007 (BOND 2007)

After much rushing and much perspiration and running all over the place, the Orientation 2007 for the new JC1 intake finally ended on Saturday on a high note. Highlights include the "O-Nite" and the Mass Dance at Suntec Center.

Being in the Sub-committee of the Entertainment Committee has been a different experience. And this is especially significant also since I didn't get to participate in an Orientation during the first three months last year. Well it was fun overall and well, to a certain extent, the first day of school after the orientation, my friend and I agreed that we had a slight "Orientation Hangover".. Haha

30th Anniversary Website

As all TJCians know, TJC will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary this year, and the 30th Anniversary Events will kick off tomorrow with the official "launch" of the multitude of activities. Part of this will be the launch of the 30th Anniversary Website at http://www.tjc.edu.sg/anniversary

I heave a short sigh of relief as it signals the imminent handover of the website handling and maintenance to the actual team. I've been cracking my head over the website since December... not to mention server problems and stuff... And there are still a couple of things I must add as well as 2 or more plugins which I have to programme. Not easy being a one-man team for so long. Doing everything from banners to the coding.... Arrgh.. seeing stars....

Bowling

Tomorrow will be a PDP showcase for the year 1s. Nothing much here to say since the event isn't over yet. But.. I really like the banner which the team did this Sunday. Heres a picture which I obtained from Yixuan's blog...



Class

Regarding Classes... It seemed that we changed our Civics Tutor. With that, our Biology teacher changed too.... haiz.

The class is also thinking of printing a class tee.. Most probably dryfit material. Its still in the design stages. But seeing the draft design today, it should come out quite well....

Lunch with...

Went out with Jeremy for lunch on Saturday. So nice to see my best pal again. haha... He even visited SJI. Sad to say, I haven't gone back yet... He's flying back to London soon though. But before that I wish him good luck for tomorrow's National Service NAPFA test.

Communications.

Regarding communications, it seems that I have some untold words written across my arms which says "pinch" me. And yesterday, I obtained a 7cm long scratch... courtesy of a certain someone who got too excited about something, and put or rather "drilled" 3 fingers into my side/waist area..

Talking about communications.....

An interesting article I read on CNN... can't republish it here because of CNN's website terms.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/08/08/cybercouples.reut/index.html

It really makes people wonder if we are losing our real-life communication skills or it is just another step into our future... Maybe this is the next step in communication? I don't know... This isn't a monopoly.. No one can dictate how we should communicate...

It seems that IM and blogging has came from being a something extra to something that is infused in our lives.

schedules...

I seriously need a some re-scheduling... promos are coming and there seem to be a lack of time... During the JC1 morning assembly in the audi, the VP said to have at least 2-4 hours of study.. However, it seems to be difficult to do so...

Tried sitting down to do some serious work but nothing seems to go into my head.. Don't know, maybe the mood still hasn't come yet...

Anyway, tomorrow theres gonna be a TPJC invitational... Better bring some work there to do... If not, I'll not be able to complete my stuff when I come back as there won't be much time, with a organic chemistry test on Monday.

Atrocious

Yep.. Atrocious.. Thats the word. It describes the JCT results.

What will we get? The words flunk, flunk and flunk seems to appear quite often. Such atrocity is seldom seen and never should be seen again.

And now, the deadline Evaluation of Materials (EOM) and Written Report (WR) for our Project Work (PW) is creeping up. The drafts are expected to be in by next week. Such a rush. Thankfully surveys and implementation was carried out during the June Holidays.

PDP / CCA today was quite or short, depending from whose point of view. 3 hour training... did 2 step drills for 3 hours. Patches of skin on my thumb were ripped off by the bowling ball.. Ouch... Looks like I can't bowl for a while.

OH well.. its the weekends again... Have to finish up the weekend homework as well as JCT reflection (if not more marks will be deducted from the JCT)... Don't think I can do any today. Guess I'll have to "chiong" (rush) everything (the homework) tomorrow...

Slowly one by one...

Yup... Slowly one-by-one, the teachers are giving back our results...

oh my gosh.. first thing in the morning is mathematics...
She started off: "Let me get the marks down then I throw your papers away...". What a heart stopper.

Well... that reaction was not surprising. On the contrary, I was surprise i passed. Barely.

Its 1 down, 5 more to go. Not much hope for the rest. Seeing the maths scores, which was supposed to be one of the better subjects got me prepared for the worst. And by "worst", I am saying it as an understatement. what can be worse then worst? I really don't know. One thing for sure, I am going to find out....