Off to France

I suppose this will be the post in about 2 weeks because Fran and I are off to France for a 15 day pilgrimage to the cathedrals and sacred places of this land.

It promises to be a time of many experiences: travel, devotion, fellowship.

Among the places visited will be Nevers, Le Puy, La Salette, Lourdes, Mont St Michel and of course Paris. It will probably feel a whole lot shorter than the 14 days.

I will share photos of the trip and definitely a description of it also when I get back.

Vive La France

Suicide is Painless

The theme song of one of the greatest movie and series in television history, M*A*S*H. Most people who have watched the series will know the tune but may not know that there is title and lyrics to the song. So here it is...

Suicide is Painless

Music - Johnny Mandel
Lyrics - Mike Altman
Released 1970

Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...

Refrain:
that suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.


I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hatebut now I know that it's too late, and...


The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.


The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
and to another give my seat
for that's the only painless feat.


The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...


A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
is it to be or not to be
and I replied 'oh why ask me?'


'Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
...and you can do the same thing if you please.

Hallelujah

You may have first heard this song in the cartoon Shrek, or more recently in the final episode of Season 1 of the OC and probably in a few more other television series or movies which I do not know about.

If you trawl the internet, there are also many covers of the original version written by Leonard Cohen. Jeff Bucklel, Rufus Wainwright, John Cale, KD Lang are among the more common versions you will come across. While you do not have to come to a conclusion on who has the best voice or brings across the emotion of the song best, it is good for you to take a look at the lyrics and make an attempt to see what it means to you.

For me, it never fails to bring up the same emotions listening to the haunting tune and lyrics. Hear it:

Hallelujah - John Cale

The version of the lyrics also differ with the original lyrics in 1984 reflected immediately below. The words convey a rich meaning with many biblical references. The song was released again in 1988 with significantly different lyrics, in my opinion, not having the same level and depth of religious significance. Most covers take a combination of both the versions. I have yet to find the original song.


Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen 1984 Various Positions

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew her
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

and here is a different version...

Hallelujah - 1988 Cohen Live

Baby, I've been here before.
I know this room, I've walked this floor.
I used to live alone before I knew you.

Yeah I've seen your flag on the marble arch,
But listen, love is not some kind of victory march,
No it's a cold and it's a very broken Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, (Hallelujah...)

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below,
Ah but now you never show it to me, do you?

Yeah but I remember, yeah when I moved in you,
And the holy dove, she was moving too,
Yes every single breath that we drew was Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Maybe there's a God above,
As for me, all I've ever seemed to learn from love
Is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you.

Yeah but it's not a complaint that you hear tonight,
It's not the laughter of someone who claims to have seen the light
No it's a cold and it's a very lonely Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

I did my best, it wasn't much.
I couldn't feel, so I learned to touch.
I've told the truth, I didn't come all this way to fool you.

Yeah even tough it all went wrong
I'll stand right here before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my lips but Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Tashi

After much deliberation, I have settled on the name for my boat.

Tashi

Firstly, it is Tibetan in origin and the name translates roughly as " a blessing or good luck" As part of a longer phrase, Tashi Delak, it is used as a greeting to fellow persons around.

It is a unique name. Suitably female for the naming of a sea going vessel, conforming to the traditions of old. And applicable to any seafaring activity in a kayak, "a blessing" would mean a good and safe journey to anyone who takes this boat to sea and from another angle, it is a blessing to be able to use the craft to take us to where we so desire.

And so we have it.... my feathercraft..... Tashi

It Floats! The Kayak Test Run

Today is test kayak day! After its arrival last week, today we officially get the Wisper wet.

So Fran and I brought the boat to MacRitchie Reservoir after Mass. I figured that a controlled water environment and fresh water would be a better choice for the first run. We had some time from 1400 hours to dusk to do the boat tests. So here is how it went.

Setting up the boat in the afternoon heat is not a simple task. I was drenched in sweat by the time I got the boat ready for the water. It was a highly anticipated moment when I lowered the boat slowly and gently into the water. The silence was only broken by Fran's exclamation, " IT FLOATS!"

Me: ...

So after about 2 hours of paddling, I have one thing to say....SUPERB! The comments on the Feathercraft that I have read prior to the purchase were true. The boat felt comfortable even when sitting into it for the first time. The sponsoons offered great stability to the boat yet the boat was nimble enough for you to execute a mean edge. The boat sits quite high on the water but probably due to the fact it is unloaded at point in time. It was a fast boat, maintaining a reasonable speed with a minimal of effort. Tracking was good. This was a concern as the skins of the Feathercraft are hand-made and some variations occur between every piece of boat they ship out. I am fortunate that the boat tracks pretty well under mild conditions today.

The sea sock works well in preventing flooding of the boat during a capsize. Which I did, in the interest of testing every aspect of the boat's handling. The boat did take in some water, though minimal, but this was likely through a not so thorough securing of the bow hatch. A combination of the sea sock and the spray skirt did make paddling a little warm in our kind of weather.

The skin proved to be really watertight and water repellent. Water dripping off the paddle just beaded up on the deck and rolled off.

The other piece of equipment that was a real good buy was the paddle. The 4 piece carbon paddle from Aquabound was, in my opinion, a real performer. The Eagle Ray is designed for touring and for a low paddling angle. The feathering angle can be adjusted as desired. Entry of the blade into the water is effortless and silent. Turbulence is minimal and as you exert pressure on the blade in the water, the blade moves smoothly all the way until it exits the water. It does not have the little wobble that I so often feel in other paddles when you pull hard on the blade.

I brought the boat back strapped onto the roof rack. This was easily done with a couple of ratchet straps and another from the stern to the spare wheel. It would be a challenge to bring the boat around on my own, because I had the help of Fran today, and it took putting the boat onto the bonnet before I pulled it up onto the rack.

See the pictures at this Flickr set Kayak Test Paddle

Now.....I need a name for her.....

Hair for Hope 2007

I cam across this event in 2006 after it was over and I felt it was a wasted opportunity to be part of something this meaningful. So resolving not to miss it this year, I have stayed true my word and taken the step to register myself for the event.


The event consists of 2 parts, one is the chance to get a free haircut in the form of a shaven head and the fund raising portion. The shaven head, to me, is symbolic. It serves as as publicity to the entire fund raising event as well as brings the attention of the public to the plight of children cancer patients.

However, a more important effect, is to tell the kids that there are people out there who are trying to help and understand. The show of support and solidarity with them is immeasurable by this little act that is done.

So,, I ask for your to visit their website and see the work that is being done for the children. In addition, I sincerely ask that any of your who read this, to kindly support my fund raising effort for this event and pledge a little something through the online portal at this site here.

The event is on 1 July 2007 at Vivocity. To all my family and friends who will be keen to see me with a clean shaven egg head on that day, you are kindly welcomed to witness the event on the day.

The Summons

The Summons

1. Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

2. Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

3. Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

4. Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

5. Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Above All

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth

Chorus:
Crucified, laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth


Crucified, laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all


Like a rose trampled on the groud
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

You have to hear this song to believe that the words can bring tears to your eyes. Read the lyrics and experience the richness of the meaning that they convey.

Enjoy...

Setting up the Wisper

The weekend was spent trying to set up the kayak and practising how to do it smoothly and with as little pain as possible.

I find no fault with the instructions or manual and the DVD included was just invaluable in making life a little easier. So blame it all on my ineptness, but my inaugural attempt in setting up the kayak took about an hour. I tried to be meticulous in making sure I do not do anything wrong that may damage the boat even before it hits the water.

On day 2 of practice, on my second try, the time taken to set the boat up was 37 min from the opening of the pack to completion. Dismantling took just slightly shorter at just about 30 mins. The bulk of time went to packing it properly into the pack.

Setting up the frame of the boat is easy, and planting the frame into the skin is also a relative;y easy. The most difficult areas are actually,
1. Making sure the frame is centred in the skin.
2. Tensioning the frame with the extension bars
3. And placing of the crossribs especially crossrib 2

But all in all, the kayak feels solid so far on dry land. The component pieces are well made and there was never a situation where the pieces did not fit one another. Design of the frame was well thought of with every piece having its role and doubling up in function sometimes.

Here are the photos of the kayak during the weekend.

My Boat is Here!!!

Today has been a long anticipated day. The order for my kayak made almost 2-3 weeks back has finally been delivered. See here for write up on the wisper and the order.

Brimming with excitement, I went together with Fran to collect the boat. It was also the first time I was meeting the guy who brought in the kayak for me, Huey. He has a rather colourful history with regard to kayaking and is now in the business of bringing in kayaking equipment, particularly folding kayaks. Check out the website: kayakasia

Now back to the boat. The backpack in which the foldable kayak was packed into was larger than I thought it would be. The other accessories were packed into the backpack with the foam blocks and buoyancy vest in a separate box. All in all, everything as in good order except for my neoprene spray skirt which was inadvertently left out in the order. This will have to be rectified in the coming weeks.

Therefore, this is my kayaking purchase and equipment thus far, my FIRST kayak plan.

1. Feathercraft Foldable Kayak: Wisper with front and rear hatches
2. Aquabound Eagleray Full-carbon 4 piece paddle
3. Feathercraft Klatwa 2 piece Greenland paddle (spare)
4. Astral Tempo 300 Personal Flotation Device
5. Feathercraft Neoprene spray skirt
6. Feathercraft Deckbag
7. NRS Bilge pump
8. NRS universal kayak blocks

Other pieces of good news include the approval from PUB to allow foldable kayaks into the reservoirs to paddle. Although the only open reservoirs so far are MacRitchie and Marina Bay, others in the pipeline include Lower and Upper Seletar Reservoirs. Once again, Huey has made arrangement for all foldable owners to have a tag to indicate registration with an organisation.
I have chose the number tag 7 for my boat.

All I have to do now is decide on a name and then will have to christian the boat during our first trip to the water. I cannot wait....

Hooked!

After a late mass, we popped over to Rail Mall for lunch, only to find our usual haunt E.A.T crowded. So as not to queue for so long, we went hunting for another place to eat. Soon we found ourselves outside a nicely decorated place touting a wide selection of fish dishes. We went in not knowing what to expect but I must say we were pleasantly surprised.

Ambience
The ambience was fine. The placed was predominantly washed in white, making it look clean and bright. There were coloured walls with interesting, appropriately themed 'sea' motifs. Most of the seating was indoors though the option to eat al fresco was there if so desired.

Service
The crowd was pretty thin this afternoon so the service was warm, prompt and courteous. One slight glitch that marred an otherwise perfect service was the omission of one of our orders. This was however promptly rectified when brought to the attention of the staff.

Food
Here comes the thoughts of the food, which is the most important isn't it? After some consideration, due to the menu having quite a large selection of different fish done in an equally mind boggling number of ways, I settled for a Poached Salmon while Fran had a BBQ Mackeral. This was preceded by a Wasabi prawns as an appetiser. We opted for the value set which included with the entree a glass of soft drink and the soup of the day for an additional SGD 3.60.

Poached Salmon SGD 12.90
The poached salmon was good. It was soft and juicy to the point of melting it melting in your mouth. There was no hint of dryness compared to others I have tried before and the portion was large enough to satisfy my kind of appetite. This was served with boiled carrots and broccoli and a generous amount of sauteed potato chunks.

BBQ Mackerel SGD 9.80
Fran's BBQ mackerel was also beyond expectations. The portion was large too and it was a crisp brown on the outside surrounding juicy, sweet white flesh on the inside. A thin coating of sambal ensured a fiery taste to the meat and if this was not enough, an additional bowl of sambal was at hand for your to spice it up to taste. This too came with sauteed potatoes.

Wasabi Prawns SGD 6.50
This dish was nice. Lightly fried prawns mingled with a fried potato salad, smothered with a light wasabi flavoured cream. the dish tasted good however the prawns were a little disappointing considering they were supposed to be the stars of the dish. It was not the taste but rather the size and texture of the prawns. They were a little too small and not quite succulent enough.

But all in all, a very good meal and much better than expectations. Coupled with the friendly service and great setting, I think we have a winner here. It begs a return visit to further explore the wide range of dishes they have to offer.

For a visit, go to

Hooked!
390, Upper Bukit Timah Road
The Rail Mall
Tel: 67655336

Back from the East Coast

After a short but intense 4 day drive up to Malaysia, we are back in the safe comfortable confines of home as of yesterday.

Covering a total of 1909.5km in this short 4 days, is really quite something. The journey took us across the main range to the town of Kuantan on the east coast. From there, it was northwards as far as Kuala Terengganu before the return leg home. Along the way, we soaked up the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of what the East Coast had to offer and I must say it was really quite an adventure.

With us, we are always covering a wide range of activity and this trip was no different. We stopped at a drop of a hat, at the slightest indication that a place was interesting and off-beat enough. We bought Lemang and Satar from road side stalls and consumed these in a picnic by the beach at Kemasik. We probed and came across a fishing jetty in Kemaman where fishing boats berthed to off load their catch of the day. There was also the eccentric old Malay gentlemen who showed us a conch shell with the animal still in it, this among drying starfish and shell sculptures.

During our stay in Cherating, we had the chance to visit a turtle hatchery and hold one of those small creatures in between our thumb and index fingers, while it squirmed to escape. There we came face to face with the Green Turtle in all its majesty. How anyone can harm these majestic creatures is beyond us.

Our second stop in Rantau Abang saw us putting up at a quaint little place called Awang's. It was clean and had basic amenities but the most important of all, it was a step away from the beach. The beach there stretched both north and south as far as the eye could see. Waves crashing on the sand created a fine mist that blanketed the coast. The sand, though not fine and powdery, was coated with arches of sea shells. Due to the unique gradient of the beach, incoming waves from the South China sea broke and dumped on the steeply sloping beach. The undertow was severe and one could very easily get swept away if one was not careful.

But it is precisely this gradient that made Rantau Abang one of the hottest spots for the annual egg-laying by the sea turtles. Through drastically reduced in number and having fewer pristine spots for laying eggs, the turtles have still be known to come back and if one is lucky, have the opportunity to witness this magical event. Unfortunately, the sky did not smile on us and dumped about 4-5 hours worth of rain come evening. This effectively ended any plans on our end to scour the beaches and chance upon an egg laying turtle.
The return journey was an adventure by itself with us wanting to take a different route from the one we travelled up from. This entailed going further north to within 50km of Kota Bharu before coming down through highways 4 and 8, passing through Gua Musang and Kuala Lipis before finally joining the NS highway at Bentong, near KL.

The return journey took us longer longer than expected at about 14 hours of driving, including a couple of rest and dinner stops. This exciting journey home saw us coming into contact with logging trucks hauling enormous sawn tree trunks along narrow, wet and undulating precipitous routes through the mountains. It was a continual drive with one's heart in the mouth as drivers jostled to overtake these slow moving behemoths. The highlight had to be the time when Fran exclaimed "Elephant!!" True enough, by the highway in a clearing of Taman Negara, a male elephant was taking a dip in a mud pool just a couple of hundred metres from the main road. It was a beautiful sight and warranted a U-turn and an unplanned stop of about 10-15 minutes to admire this amazing creature in the dimming light.

We arrived at the ungodly hour of 0300 hrs on 1 May 2007, having left in the evening of 27 April. It was a good trip and will remain in our memories for time to come. This is almost the anniversary of our last mega-trip to Ao Nang, end April 2006.

See here for a photographic account of our trip. Enjoy it as we did.