Joyce’s Photoblog

Michael, in a race.

Physical limitation aside, a race in open sea is much more difficult than in swimming pool. You don’t have a straight private lane all the way to the ending line. Heck, you can’t even see the ending line.

It’s very easy to get lost as well. Wandering almost aimlessly at times, you could lose focus and race in the wrong direction. Worse, you might just give up and drown.

So, don’t race against people in open sea. If you have to, make it a race of yourself; compete with yourself rather than others. Set records of your own, and try your best to improve it, one step at a time. It’ll keep yourself aware of your doings.

You may never win a race in an open sea that way, but at least you’ll know yourself better than anyone else.

I like her back. No, not her butt. Her back. It’s very Avril Lavigne-ish.

If I get to pick all the attributes for my girlfriend like a RPG game, she’ll be

1. Smart (street wise)
2. Financially independent
3. Stays near my home
4. Likes to draw or take photos
5. Likes to sing or play musical instruments
6. Smile generously
7. Humorous
8. Hyper at times
9. Strong willed
10. Have decent sense of fashion (because I have none)
11. Likes electronic and mechanical things
12. Loves watching movies
13. Drives like NASCAR racer

and a lot more which I think its unnecessary to list them down, since probably no sane girls would posses all the points mentioned.

If the points reminded you of a friend of yours, do introduce her to me.

p.s. There was the phrase “the only flaw would be it’s perfect” I heard from somewhere. Can’t remember. Anyway in my case it’ll be “it’s perfect because it’s flawed”. Does it make any sense at all?

“Hi sir, I’m from the charity organization calle-”

“How much?”

“… oh. 10 Ringgit, sir.”

I gave her a RM10 note.

“Thank you, sir! Here’s your sticker!”

I took the car sticker. She walked away, almost hopping. I flipped open my copy of newspaper and started reading again.

Due to a “misunderstanding”, I waited half an hour for nothing in Mid Valley Megamall today. The deal was to trade my Roxy goodies bag for a plane model. Somehow, she “thought it’s suppose to be tomorrow”.

I won’t go into details of our emails and SMS. I’m not angry, really. In that half an hour time I read 6 sections of international news. Very educating. I still think Obama and Hillary will make a great vote-sucking team.

I won’t call her names, or harass her with spams. But I won’t be dealing with her anymore.

So, the offer is now officially open to public. One Roxy goodies bag (a pair of white colored Roxy sandals worth RM89.90, an unopened magazine, and a “seventeen” highlighter), for anything you think is bigger or better.

Inspired by the “one red paperclip” story, I wanted to do the same thing, but for a DSLR camera instead of a house. I figured a Roxy goodies bag should give me a better head start in this materialistic time. No harm trying, right?

I will write an “official post” for the Roxy goodies bag offer when I’m done resting. I’m very tired of doing nothing today, in the mall and in my car. Stuck in traffic for hours because of Malaysians acting like complete assholes, thinking it’s their right to overtake cars anytime anywhere at any speed they want.

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment. You own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo.
- by Eminem, in “Lose Yourself”

On a good day, stage fright keeps you alert enough to give in your best. On a bad day, stage fright kills you. I had an awful experience with stage fright. Well, not me technically, but I was there when it happened.

Final round of year 2003 MSSKL (zone qualification for state tournament) basketball tournament.

My school was leading 17 points into the 4th quarter of the game. 17 points is a huge gap for high school standard. With a win guaranteed, coach benched me and the other 4 starters, and let the substitutes play to gain experience. Lim was one of the substitutes.

He was nervous, which is normal for a freshman on court. Everything was fine, until he attempted a layup.

It was a fast break. With no one guarding him at half court, he was in the clear to score an easy goal. But he paranoid. It was obvious from his footing; he advanced the ball too fast, too furious. He must’ve thought opponents are right behind his back and if he relax he’ll be blocked.

Right after the free throw line, he leaped. It was too late for him to do anything afterwards

Because of going too fast, he had to twist his body in mid air to face the hoop, in order to lay the ball through the hoop. A twist too much for his body. When he landed, there was an awkward “pop”. He sprained his right foot and his waist.

His career in high school basketball ended right there and then.

Stage fright. Performer’s worst enemy. Too little of it, you’ll never be serious in what you’re doing. Too much of it, and it kills (mentally and/or physically).

“How much?” He asked.

She leaned forward. “Depends on what you want to do with me,” she whispered, “and for how long.”

He rubbed his chin, looking like the thinking man. “An hour, with my choice of outfit.”

“I would do it for nothing less than 100 bucks.” She winked.

I raised an eye brow. “Isn’t it overpriced even for your standard?” I turned to face my friend, George. “Don’t do it. You’re burning money.”

But he had his own idea. “Deal. Take this and this, go dress up quick.”

She smiled and took the dresses he picked, and went to the changing room just behind the shooting set. We were in his photography studio, located somewhere near 1 Utama. It was supposed to be just a hanging out session, but he and the female friend I brought turned it into something more.

“Dude, are you okay? You just agreed to pay 100 bucks to take photos of her. She’s not even a model.” I shook my head in disbelief. I always take photos of her, for free.

“I like her. She’s very pretty. I would pay way more than 100 bucks just to have her in my set for half an hour. Besides, it’s my money. Why are you so concerned?”

There’s a price for everything, and a man (or woman) in love would pay any price just to get what he loves.