Happyness

A missionary came up to me yesterday on the train in the city. He was an Asian American from California, probably in his late twenties. At first I was annoyed when he tried converting me to Christianity. lol. After a while he kinda gave up and we just chatted about life. 

He told me before "finding god" he only pursued momentary happiness such as  nightclubs, drinking, fast cars, gaming etc. However, after the adrenalin quickly wore off and an empty void followed. As if something was missing. In consequence he has voluntarily "sacrificed" 2 years of his life to come to Melbourne to do missionary work. This means no distractions (music, fun) whatsoever for two years. Daily as he tried to preach the word of god he would receive abuse, violence ,judgmental glares and even be spit upon from the people he crosses paths with on the street. Rather than become depressed, god has given him the strength to hold his head high and walk on. 

Although i did not agree with everything he said, to be able to go against all of society to follow something that he truly believed in, he won my respect and admiration. 

And in some ways I could relate. Many times I have drooled over material goods only to go "meh" after laying my grubby hands it. Many times I have reached a goal then thought "now what?". 

Has capitalist society really become a place where we are all willing to step on others on our way to the top of the ladder? Do individuals have inherent moral virtue or are our actions determined solely by greed and fear of condemnation or god? 

Most importantly of all, can we find true happiness and fulfillment on our own accord or do we have to believe in what some would call an illusion? 

p.s sorry for the mass rhetorical questions. i promise to start answering instead of asking soon

:)

 

Theme of Love

For the times I couldn't tell you how I feel, because music speaks louder than words...

On a completely different note: Thanks Ken for organizing Karaoke! Finally let my inner Asian diva free. woot. 

Hope

"Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

Your friend.

(The Shawshank Redemption) 

Courage

Have you ever considered how you would react when faced with an extraordinary situation? If a terrorist held up a gun and threatened to hijack the plane you are on would you:

a. Jump his ass and show him who is boss and save the lives of everyone on board. (Likely get shot and killed)

b. pretend to be oblivious to the situation and carry on reading the safety pamphlet; or

c. pray to god somebody else is gonna risk their life to save your sorry ass

I like to think that I have the courage and strength to choose option A, but when it comes down to it most people are gonna choose B or C. Why? 

Well why should you risk their life for people you don't even know? At most the media labels you a hero for a day, week at most. But your family, friends and children will suffer forever. Am I right to assume we are selfish beings despite our best intentions?

What constitutes courage? When Edmund Hillary embarked on the first accent of Mt. Everest was he courageous or just insane to risk his life, career and his family's future? When the three astronauts in 1969 left for the moon did they ever consider what if they never returned? These men were successful. Many were not. 

What is it that drives these people to overcome fear? Where do we draw the line between courage and stupidity?

I don't think anybody can answer these questions. However, I feel sometimes as individuals we need to step out of line once every so often, put down that safety pamphlet, and as the poet Robert Frost wrote, take the path less traveled by and sometimes that can make all the difference. 

wow that was deep :)

First Post

Hi guys, this is my first post so be nice. I'm a bit nervous losing my blogging virginity. I'd never thought it would come to this but here we go. 

Its 2 months from my final english exam and I thought if I start blogging my English proficiency will magically increase to A+ levels. What was that? I'm in denial?

Anyways I think i should have a little introduction of myself. 

Hobbies and Interests:

1. Music. In terms of genres believe I am quite open minded, I love listening to alternative, progressive, some metal, some pop, some country, instrumental, classical rock, classical, orchestral music and jazz. Basically anything that sounds good. Which means not all that screamo crap and rap/hip hop bullshit that gets released these days by those non talented blah blah blah....

Fav bands and artists include Tommy Emmanuel, Nightwish, Dreamtheater, Fourplay, Hanz Zimmer, Craig Armstrong, The Fray, U2, Oasis, RHCP, Nobuo Uematsu and Michael Jackson (rip). Don't judge me. 

I also play the guitar just well enough to get laid. Apparently most girls lose control by the second verse of Wonderwall. lol just joking, but not really. I mostly play my trusty Yamaha steel stringed acoustic but i occasionally whip out the Les Paul for a few licks and solos. I might post a few videos later on. 

2. Sports. I love playing football (as in the spherical ball variety, sorry AFL people). Ill prob get back into to it full on after year 12. Pretending to know how to play tennis is also fun. I also try keep fit by running and working out. But I'm getting old so yeah. 

3. Science, Mathematics, Philosophy and Religion

Woot go science and by science I mean physics and a bit of chemistry. Prob the only half certain thing in this world. Mathematics is also so definite and universal. Just beautiful. (P.S I know I'm a nerd and I'm proud of it) :)

In terms of philosophy I like reading up on Immanuel Kant, Taosim, Confucianism, Descartes etc. etc. It helps me rationalize and put the complex world we live in into some sort of perspective. 

As for religion, I find it fascinating. What makes people believe so wholeheartedly in a man/woman they have never met or at least seen on TV?

I only practice religion when getting my exam marks back or doing something important. lol that doesn't count does it? If i had to pin it down I would say I am agnostic. But I am open minded.

4. Thinking about Philosophy 

Yeah its trippy. But awesome. 

5. A bit of politics. As in the history aspect of it, not the daily mudslinging most modern politicians get up to.

As you can see I'm quite a simple person. Easily amused and pleased. Yet, also able to explore the great reaches of human imagination and wisdom (to a certain degree). 

Anyway I hope you have not left already or fell asleep. But yeah this is a brief intro of me and things to come.