The Moral Compass

: thebathos; November 12th, 17:39

So I've been avoiding this blog like the plague for quite the while - hence why there's been a bit of still air.. As much as I love this thing-- actually there's no point lying; I honestly kind of hate this blog. But I don't want to give up on it: I've decided it just needs a bit of purpose. So, starting as soon as possible, I will revolve this baby around one of the many things I love most: food! Glorious food! This means I'll need an appropriate camera - and currently, my Minolta still needs to be repaired - and a cookbook I can follow. I was inspired by Julie & Julia - Meryl Streep is such a brilliant actress, she played Julia Child perfectly I loved it! I've never been enthusiastic about French cuisine, primarily because I find it so fucking difficult - and Western cuisine to Asian cuisine in general is a little boring by comparison, but maybe I should challenge myself? Plus there's no real definitive guide to Asian chefs - well, I suppose there's the Asian Chefs Association which breaks it down quite well - but comparitively, the West is really big on showcasing chefs for whatever talents, be it their innovative new dishes or inspiring perseverance to the traditions of the culinary arts. I'd love to focus on fusion cuisine but apparently 'fusion's a bit of a bad word in the culinary scene, so I've not been able to follow many chefs down this route, apart from the obvious (e.g. Wolfgang Puck, Peter Gordan, Ken Hom). I don't know, I don't really understand the criticism: food has a history; every dish, every ingredient has a history, and every history is determined by politics, economics etc. Cuisine, in a similar way, has been determined by it's country's boundaries, culture and even beliefs - it has it's own nationality, if you will. Playing with foods from around the world is as beautiful and as inspiring as sharing one's culture with another.

Hong Kong, in itself, is a fusion of culture, where the East meets the West, and we've a huge portal of ingredients to play with because of this. To say that fusion food is pretentious seems rather silly to me. I suppose it would seem pretentious if it were unnecessary, but I don't see France giving up their rights over French cuisine any time soon, nor do I see dim sum losing its Chinese nationality. We must agree there is a certain pride to one's national dish and so for the word 'fusion' to carry this stigma around seems a little ridiculous - if anything, it should be encouraged! In any case, I'll have a little look around PageOne next time I'm in the area. My friend once reccommended an apparently awesome little second-hand bookstore in Central called Flow - if anyone's heard of it? so I might check that out. I'm really interested in Ferran Adria's work with molecular gastronomy - that guy is a fucking genius, fucking amazing stuff - but yeah, I don't think playing with nitrogen in my own kitchen will be as fruitful. Would still love his cookbook though: "A Day at El Bulli" - anything to get a glimpse into the mind of the culinary master that is Adria! And Heston Blumenthal's "A Big Fat Duck Cookbook", not only cos it's bound to be brilliant (literally, cos its a book - get it! ha ha ha) but it looks fucking awesome too - I mean look at that! A+ Presentation. To work at either of their restaurants would be a dream, or to just travel around with Adria for those 6 months he closes shop at El Bulli...

For now, however, work at the kindergarten is fine - I'm working full time now and love being surrounded by my sexually deviant co-workers. Kindergarten teachers = biggest perverts, I kid you not. As much as I should tell you to think twice before putting your trust in these seemingly sane individuals, I absolutely love their humour and they're excellent teachers regardless of their indecencies, believe it or not! We had to work from 9 till 4 at the beach yesterday, with the sun shitting down on us with rays of Death, but on and on we toiled to please 12 groups of 4 year olds with their respective mummies and daddies. I was working with two other teachers and we taught, and danced to, the Limbo Rock, and then played limbo, 12 times. 12 times. From 9 till 4. Thats 20-30 4 year olds in each group. With their parents. 12 times. 9 till 4. I can't even describe how incredibly exhausted I was by the end of it. The moment I got back home, I lay my head on my pillow and was out till 9am this morning - and only because I had to wake up to get to Central before 11.

Anyway, I feel like I've made amends for my lack of updates on this thing. All this talk about food has made me full too, so think it's time for a little lie about, bear cub style. Speak soon, hopefully with a brand spanking new cookbook and fixed up camera. Hasta la victoria siempre!

Twilight - Elliot Smith

: thebathos; September 20th, 18:40

Yeah.. Bad weekend. Not going to be jumping on Mickey for a long time, makes one think a little too deeply about things that one spends a long time trying to forget.

You Give Me Fever - Ella Fitzgerald

: thebathos; August 30th, 23:11

Got some smoooooooooooooth jazz going on... Spent this fine Sunday morning making playlists and updating old ones. I'm surprised I woke up so early today (11!) cos I got back home at 5 after sleeping at Kathys after our little Stoner Saturday. I have a thing for giving my playlists funky names, man. I spend a good 10 minutes just picking the right name for them, so that you know what you're getting into when you click on it on my iPod. Loser much? I actually might just die happy once I come up with the ideal playlist. I'll call it "Utopia", and it shall be for the ages.

(The list so far, in case you were interested:) Beatlejuice, Classica, Dance Trance Romance, Doherty, Folk and Soul, Greatest Melodies of Rock n Roll, Hello Sadness, La Musique, Lovers Past, Ohm~, Old School Rap, Parrrty, Revision Playlist, Roadside Folk, Smooth Jaaaazz, So Sickly Indie, The Beatniks, Think About It, Une Fille, Vendetta, Viva La Espana, You... (the ones in bold I just added today, ear explosssshunnnnn)

Anyway, confused about life, teenager that I am. Payday tomorrow, or today, I've no idea (so excited). Working class hero! Spending most of my time working from morning till midday, then head to the pub to meet the Telin and whoever hates their life enough to bitch about it over beer for a couple of hours before starting the same humdrum routine the next day. Then we pray for the weekend, and when the weekend comes - riot? Not quite, getting a little too old.. I'm listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday: I am way too old to be out later than 3 on a Friday night. My back can't take it.

Funny story though, on Friday I didn't say goodbye to anyone. Nat just said 'Subway' and we both left Swindlers and headed for footlongs, then took the bus home. No goodbyes, no nothing! Such bitches, what was wrong with us? When we got back, I was drunk and high off my fucking mind, threw up Snapple (fun fact!) by the curb of my house, and found two stoners lying on my couch. Was like 'wtf are you doing in my house' to one who wasn't wearing any pants - seriously, fucking ridiculous. Poured water into his mouth, he swallowed and still didn't wake up.

In retrospect, this was quite a good weekend. Too bad its over.. I really don't want to work tomorrow. I fear my nursery class will absolutely devour me. Wish me luck.

Last Thoughts On Woody Guthrie - Bob Dylan

: thebathos; August 20th, 1:48

Current Mood:: mellow

Fuck planning! Come March, I'm on the next train to Anywhere. Anyway, time for a favourite - I couldn't even extract a part, it's just amazing. "What does Woody Guthrie mean to you in 25 words? Couldn't do it." D/L him reciting it on the Bootleg Series, Vol 1. Fucking genius.

When yer head gets twisted and yer mind grows numb
When you think you're too old, too young, too smart or too dumb
When yer laggin' behind an' losin' yer pace
In a slow-motion crawl of life's busy race
No matter what yer doing if you start givin' up
If the wine don't come to the top of yer cup
If the wind's got you sideways with with one hand holdin' on
And the other starts slipping and the feeling is gone
And yer train engine fire needs a new spark to catch it
And the wood's easy findin' but yer lazy to fetch it
And yer sidewalk starts curlin' and the street gets too long
And you start walkin' backwards though you know its wrong
And lonesome comes up as down goes the day
And tomorrow's mornin' seems so far away
And you feel the reins from yer pony are slippin'
And yer rope is a-slidin' 'cause yer hands are a-drippin'
And yer sun-decked desert and evergreen valleys
Turn to broken down slums and trash-can alleys
And yer sky cries water and yer drain pipe's a-pourin'
And the lightnin's a-flashing and the thunder's a-crashin'
And the windows are rattlin' and breakin' and the roof tops a-shakin'
And yer whole world's a-slammin' and bangin'
And yer minutes of sun turn to hours of storm
And to yourself you sometimes say
"I never knew it was gonna be this way
Why didn't they tell me the day I was born"
And you start gettin' chills and yer jumping from sweat
And you're lookin' for somethin' you ain't quite found yet
And yer knee-deep in the dark water with yer hands in the air
And the whole world's a-watchin' with a window peek stare
And yer good gal leaves and she's long gone a-flying
And yer heart feels sick like fish when they're fryin'
And yer jackhammer falls from yer hand to yer feet
And you need it badly but it lays on the street
And yer bell's bangin' loudly but you can't hear its beat
And you think yer ears might a been hurt
Or yer eyes've turned filthy from the sight-blindin' dirt
And you figured you failed in yesterdays rush
When you were faked out an' fooled white facing a four flush
And all the time you were holdin' three queens
And it's makin you mad, it's makin' you mean
Like in the middle of Life magazine
Bouncin' around a pinball machine
And there's something on yer mind you wanna be saying
That somebody someplace oughta be hearin'
But it's trapped on yer tongue and sealed in yer head
And it bothers you badly when your layin' in bed
And no matter how you try you just can't say it
And yer scared to yer soul you just might forget it
And yer eyes get swimmy from the tears in yer head
And yer pillows of feathers turn to blankets of lead
And the lion's mouth opens and yer staring at his teeth
And his jaws start closin with you underneath
And yer flat on your belly with yer hands tied behind
And you wish you'd never taken that last detour sign
And you say to yourself just what am I doin'
On this road I'm walkin', on this trail I'm turnin'
On this curve I'm hanging
On this pathway I'm strolling, in the space I'm taking
In this air I'm inhaling
Am I mixed up too much, am I mixed up too hard
Why am I walking, where am I running
What am I saying, what am I knowing
On this guitar I'm playing, on this banjo I'm frailin'
On this mandolin I'm strummin', in the song I'm singin'
In the tune I'm hummin', in the words I'm writin'
In the words that I'm thinkin'
In this ocean of hours I'm all the time drinkin'
Who am I helping, what am I breaking
What am I giving, what am I taking
But you try with your whole soul best
Never to think these thoughts and never to let
Them kind of thoughts gain ground
Or make yer heart pound
But then again you know why they're around
Just waiting for a chance to slip and drop down
"Cause sometimes you hear'em when the night times comes creeping
And you fear that they might catch you a-sleeping
And you jump from yer bed, from yer last chapter of dreamin'
And you can't remember for the best of yer thinking
If that was you in the dream that was screaming
And you know that it's something special you're needin'
And you know that there's no drug that'll do for the healin'
And no liquor in the land to stop yer brain from bleeding
And you need something special
Yeah, you need something special all right
You need a fast flyin' train on a tornado track
To shoot you someplace and shoot you back
You need a cyclone wind on a stream engine howler
That's been banging and booming and blowing forever
That knows yer troubles a hundred times over
You need a Greyhound bus that don't bar no race
That won't laugh at yer looks
Your voice or your face
And by any number of bets in the book
Will be rollin' long after the bubblegum craze
You need something to open up a new door
To show you something you seen before
But overlooked a hundred times or more
You need something to open your eyes
You need something to make it known
That it's you and no one else that owns
That spot that yer standing, that space that you're sitting
That the world ain't got you beat
That it ain't got you licked
It can't get you crazy no matter how many
Times you might get kicked
You need something special all right
You need something special to give you hope
But hope's just a word
That maybe you said or maybe you heard
On some windy corner 'round a wide-angled curve

But that's what you need man, and you need it bad
And yer trouble is you know it too good
"Cause you look an' you start getting the chills

"Cause you can't find it on a dollar bill
And it ain't on Macy's window sill
And it ain't on no rich kid's road map
And it ain't in no fat kid's fraternity house
And it ain't made in no Hollywood wheat germ
And it ain't on that dimlit stage
With that half-wit comedian on it
Ranting and raving and taking yer money
And you thinks it's funny
No you can't find it in no night club or no yacht club
And it ain't in the seats of a supper club
And sure as hell you're bound to tell
That no matter how hard you rub
You just ain't a-gonna find it on yer ticket stub
No, and it ain't in the rumors people're tellin' you
And it ain't in the pimple-lotion people are sellin' you
And it ain't in no cardboard-box house
Or down any movie star's blouse
And you can't find it on the golf course
And Uncle Remus can't tell you and neither can Santa Claus
And it ain't in the cream puff hair-do or cotton candy clothes
And it ain't in the dime store dummies or bubblegum goons
And it ain't in the marshmallow noises of the chocolate cake voices
That come knockin' and tappin' in Christmas wrappin'
Sayin' ain't I pretty and ain't I cute and look at my skin
Look at my skin shine, look at my skin glow
Look at my skin laugh, look at my skin cry
When you can't even sense if they got any insides
These people so pretty in their ribbons and bows
No you'll not now or no other day
Find it on the doorsteps made out-a paper mache¥
And inside it the people made of molasses
That every other day buy a new pair of sunglasses
And it ain't in the fifty-star generals and flipped-out phonies
Who'd turn yuh in for a tenth of a penny
Who breathe and burp and bend and crack
And before you can count from one to ten
Do it all over again but this time behind yer back
My friend
The ones that wheel and deal and whirl and twirl
And play games with each other in their sand-box world
And you can't find it either in the no-talent fools
That run around gallant
And make all rules for the ones that got talent
And it ain't in the ones that ain't got any talent but think they do
And think they're foolin' you
The ones who jump on the wagon
Just for a while 'cause they know it's in style
To get their kicks, get out of it quick
And make all kinds of money and chicks
And you yell to yourself and you throw down yer hat
Sayin', "Christ do I gotta be like that
Ain't there no one here that knows where I'm at
Ain't there no one here that knows how I feel
Good God Almighty
THAT STUFF AIN'T REAL"

No but that ain't yer game, it ain't even yer race
You can't hear yer name, you can't see yer face
You gotta look some other place
And where do you look for this hope that yer seekin'
Where do you look for this lamp that's a-burnin'
Where do you look for this oil well gushin'
Where do you look for this candle that's glowin'
Where do you look for this hope that you know is there
And out there somewhere
And your feet can only walk down two kinds of roads
Your eyes can only look through two kinds of windows
Your nose can only smell two kinds of hallways
You can touch and twist
And turn two kinds of doorknobs
You can either go to the church of your choice
Or you can go to Brooklyn State Hospital
You'll find God in the church of your choice
You'll find Woody Guthrie in Brooklyn State Hospital

And though it's only my opinion
I may be right or wrong
You'll find them both
In the Grand Canyon
At sundown

You've Got the Love - Florence + the Machine

: thebathos; August 18th, 23:31

Current Mood:: drained

I am in love with Florence + the Machine right now. Florence Welch's voice is absolutely gorgeous, and her songs are fucking saucy little creatures! Have you ever thought of songs as characters? It's so much easier when it's instrumental, or with a strong guitar, I must admit - the melody practically becomes it's own person, each note turning into a step; the combination of which, I suppose, turns into it's own movement that folds in your stomach until you can literally feel the action, the move, the dance? completely take over your body. You know what, I can't explain it. Just, two words: Jimi Hendrix. Purple Haze, that Star Spangled Banner "remix", Wild Thing, Are You Experienced, Foxey Lady - whatever: just really listen to it, especially in those grand moments when he lets his left hand and guitar do all the talking, and you'll feel 'the Fold'.

Anyway, point: when you have Florence + the Machine, My Boy Builds Coffins, for example, you've got this image of this really hot indie chick who's seen it all, done it all, a little bit of the 1950/60s flirting in there, with the heels that sing and the smoke and whiskey. It's a crazy beautiful mix. Or maybe I'm just feeling all this cos I've overdosed on Mad Men as of late. Such a good show, and Season 3 is out soon/now so woo to my life.

Oh my god, thought of another: Kiss With a Fist = Lena when she's frustrated, starts freaking out, laughing hysterically. Exactly.

Note: I probably should mention I haven't been able to listen to any male singers lately, apart from the Dylz but it's impossible to give that man up - impossible I say! But yeah, it's pretty much been Florence, Lily Allen, Ladyhawke, Marina and the Diamonds, Little Boots... even Laura Marlings feeling a little too manly for me right now, haven't given her ear time in ages. Still, all in all: terribly feminine stuff. Not sure why - maybe I'm getting attached to that high pitched squeaky cute-dog-talking voice all the teachers pull at the kindergarten... NOT. But really, I don't know.

In other news, did you know a good substitute for buttermilk is milk + white vinegar/lemon juice? Only like, a tablespoon of the stuff, but it's perfect. Made calamari just now, and pork with a cranberry/cherry reduction, and Thai style tung choi. The combination of it all sounds gross, but I assure you it was fine. If you can't take my word for it, ask Boris! He came over, with Nat, to discuss the dilemma that is CMS. LOL. WTF BBQ. So esoteric, yeah? and rightly so!

I've started work at a kindergarten and have come to the conclusion that I don't really like teaching kids this young, or perhaps even teaching- period (we shall see). I'm not made for it. Like, really, not made for it. I'd so much rather be a high school teacher or a nice little private one-on-one tutor, i.e. something that requires less movement. What's the point in going to the gym when you've got 30 little babes that constantly want to pee and poke? Let's all just pull a Taylor and sit at the front of the class talking for the hour about something we actually enjoy, leaning on your chair sometimes talking about China Summers.. (miss that man!), as opposed to this show - that's what it is, a show - where I have to sing songs, constantly make the children smile, and all at the same time: teach English?! Impossible, it just can't be done. Okay well, it can be done, I just can't do it. I feel really awkward around kids too, like I just want them to grow up a little so I can let a sexual innuendo slip, or talk about things that actually interest me like history, beer or Dostoyevsky. Instead I count apples on the board, pull on Amy the puppet doll and sing London Bridge in my terrible smoker's pitch. If teaching at a kindergarten ain't birth control I don't know what is.

Grow up! Stop pissing in your pants!

Need to get some rest. Will watch Mad Men for hour then retire - have to wake up at 6.30, leave house at 7, reach bus stop at 7.15, bus comes at 7.20, hour to get to Yuen Long, 10 minutes to walk to school = 8.30 = punctual = way to go Irene! 3 days and I already think my subconscious had a deathwish in the form of "why don't you teach kindergarten?". Adieu, Cruel Fate.

Nothing is Certain in London - Alan Zhou

: thebathos; August 8th, 5:58

So I love homegrown talent (what?). My boy Alan is heading to Michigan this year, and releasing his EP, 'Nothing is Certain in London', in HK before he gets down and elbow dirty deep in books and college girls (waddup!). You can check out some of his stuff on his Myspace. Chun's making his EP artwork at the moment but I decided to design my own, inspired cover. His music is folksy, and makes me think of cut and paste journals, old newspapers, the smell of freshly cut grass, pressed flowers and leaf skeletons on recycled paper with poems or doodles scribbled in spare spaces. No idea why, but I love it. Anyway, apparently I'm a bit "filtery" with Photoshop says Chun so forgive my terrible skillz. A pro could probably highlight 8913923 mistakes I made in this baby, but hey: that kind of works with folk right? its not really about the result, you just notice the effort, or the story behind it... Right?

As for my day, was alright. Went to the GAs for cards and nice little chit chat.. then headed back home for Shisha and owning Chun at Scrabble. I think this pretty much settles the controversy: that I am Awesome - in fact, more awesome than Chun. After this, set about singing on RockBand about how awesome I am ("We are the Champions"), and making Chun sing the pussy songs ("The Kill" 30 Seconds to Mars). Ordered Mcdonalds at like, 3am (after an hour of explaining that Hong Lok Road East was a road with no number: "it's one of the 2 main roads in Hong Lok Yuen... E-A-S-T" etc etc.) then played cards out in the garage with the little ones.

Am kind of tired at 6 in the morning so I think I'm going to head to bed. I tried keeping my aircon off for as long as possible cos this morning ice started flying out of it and hit my head... BRAINFREEZE!!! LOLOLOL fuck I hate how Sophie is probably at Lollapalooza right now. I wish I was in Chicago. Now or in the 1920s, I don't mind. "It's a long way to anything, my dear, but don't be scared: there's nothing to fear. If you follow your heart, you'll know where you belong." Love you, Alan! Here's looking at you, kid.

Edit Dear God it's 7 and I'm still up. Spent an hour just going through photos of Greece. I miss it so bad, papa. Does my life in HK suck so much that I have to think about Paros every day? I don't want to answer that. (Sophie and Ailsa for the pictures below). Nice shot by Sophie of Daryl, wich his iconic outback-murderer hat, looking in the distance planning his next horror fantasy. And then there's me in my innocent white dress contemplating and shit, again. So much time for contemplation in Greece, seriously, it was so calming. Time did not exist and you could sit down in one place for hours and not get bored of life. I realised in Greece that I had a lot of untouched thoughts, thoughts that have stayed in the back of subconscious for lack of time. Met a guy on Delos who was serving slushies at the only (overpiced) cafe. Ended up buying a lemon slushie cos walking up and around the ruins was just so fucking tiring, and the sun was pouring, and then he came over to share a cig and got talking about Socrates and Plato and how the only way to write good poetry was by going somewhere as calm as Greece, somewhere that would let the words come by themselves without provoking them to make an appearance. The subconscious does not need to be pushed, only nurtured into making an entrance and letting yourself welcome them with open mind and steady hand. Which is why it seems so much harder to write anything here, right now, as opposed to back in my hungover hazes by the beach in Paros. We're always so fucking busy, and time seems to go too fast. Am I Greek or just not up to pace with the HK beat yet? I'll give it time.

What I would give for a sky like that again. There were angels in that sky, I swear to god! Celestial beings watching over our insignificant bodies, and developing our craft with the wave of inspiration: the sublime air of art. Opa!

Life on Mars - David Bowie

: thebathos; August 7th, 17:58

Had the strangest dream I was in Thailand with the rest of my year, doing lots of random shit for the school or group, most of it based on the road. Olivia, Alison, Aliey and I had to watch a truck carrying newspapers-yet-to-be-newspapers (i.e. specially cut newspaper paper, wrapped in plastic with our school's logo? so retarded) and one pack dropped and we didn't know what to do. Then we were all put on trucks to go.. somewhere.. but we were going so fast down the road it was like we were flying and we passed this bar, and I tried to look closer and it was the Dubliner and I started crying "nooooooooo", tears streaming down my face cos I couldn't stop the truck. Then I woke up to Lena's call - thank god too cos I had been sleeping for 15 hours. Unbelievable.

Anyway, going to clean my room.

Side: Absolutely love the Def Jam Poets, but found this and had to show Trish cos it was just so good. Do you know there's apparently no such thing as the oral poet anymore? You're either a Rapper or - prepare yourself - a "Spoken Word Artist". I don't know if poets exist anymore either. What's the difference between a poet and writer anyway? What's the difference between poetry and prose? Oh god that question reminds me of our debates back in Greece. It's all relative. But Louis Reyes Rivera made a good cut at it:

"A voice raised in celebration of itself. Chant and dance, music and tone, mystery and miracle forged into the embodied literature of people passing it on, by speech and sight, to each subsequent generation, asking and answering the fundamental question: How do we live? And is that the same as how we want to live or what we mean when we say there's something we're supposed to do?... it is that inner compulsion to Follow the Muse. They speak to the same cause, challenging the inner voice to maintain balance between flesh, thought, action." (Full text found here)

Kiss with a Fist - Florence + the Machine

: thebathos; August 6th, 23:44

Current Mood:: artistic

Made myself a new banner; felt that the Lenin/Audrey Hepburn/Lucky Strikes/Aldous Huxley combo was a little too much. Plus I had a couple of moments back in Greece (I'll confess, drunken moments) when I thought a compass tattoo would be pretty Awesome. I'm sure I played with the idea of a tramp stamp too, so you can see that this tat didn't go much further than the hypothetical. I made a "tatbet" the other day with Dean, being the crazy kids that we are: whoever loses has to get a tattoo of the other person's name on any part of their body. Loses what, you ask? Allow me to elaborate (using my fancy Photoshop skills that I'm reacquainting myself with as of new said banner):

Is that not the most awesome lineup ever? I'm going to be dead by the end of this warline, but god, will I die beautifully: throwing up intestines on the steps of Bell Inn or wherever this party will be held. During Christmas, though, as I need to be able to afford the tattoo if I do (touch wood) end up losing the Tat Bet. I don't know how or why we come up with this bullshit, but I'm starting to think its the result of doing absolutely nothing at the General's Arms night after night. I'm quite pleased to announce we've taken a break, but I'm pretty sure once Nat gets back from Sweden we're going to be down there again, or at one of the Tai Po bars, then maybe, just maybe, venture to the island. Baby steps.

I really need to build up my tolerance. I was out last night for Chun's 18th, and we started the night off at his place raging Hell on two poor innocent cows-turned-giant-juicy-steaks, well done and medium rare. But in my opinion, both well done (waddup!) After this, we indulged in Chun's rite of passage into young adulthood with the traditional 18 shots of everything: London Dry Gin, Vodka and Tequila slammers. After around 10, we started joining his solo, and I soon lost count after what was probably a 10th shot. Ended up getting so drunk that by the time we made it on to the Wanchai bus, I was ready to hurl. And hurl I did: Wanchai alleyways never looked so good!

Got home at some unholy hour, managed to eat a Italian BMT footlong in a matter of minutes, Skyped with my friends in foreign countries till the sun came up, and came up again, slept for 2 hours, then woke up to jet to Central with the mother for some shoes. Chun slept till 6. Bastard. But Happy Birthday boy! You may drink with me now.

Such an awkward photo. 10 shots in?

Anyway I'm gonna jet. Talking to Sneha on the phone and blogging at the same time was a challenge, I tell you. Speak to y'all soon. Or silently stalk, that's fine.

(And to all you who are interested in what the rest of the Pyne family are doing, click here for my dear baby brother's blog. He needs the love.)

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now - The Smiths

: thebathos; August 2nd, 2:43

So I don't smoke Lucky Strikes anymore. I'm not going to Argentina any time soon. I am not pale. I don't think I can finish this novella. I don't want to be on a hiatus anymore. But don't get me wrong, I'm happier than I've been for ages! Although I'm rather disappointed by my sleeping schedule these days. Today I woke up at - I shit you not - 7pm. The sun was setting and the sky was red and my eyes opened like one of those True Blood scenes when Bill hears Sookie scream. Fucking eerie, man, am I turning into a vampire? I'm starting to lose my Greek tan too, so maybe I am reverting back to the HK scene. God, this sucks.

I've been posting some of my poems up on Facebook, including one that I did when I was in Greece, but I've decided FB is much too public for some of the other ones. That's where Livejournal comes in, but first: some photos, taken by Trish, Sophie Goodwin, Tiff Shek.. Will try not to turn this into an Aliey blog but its very difficult for me to capture Paros in but a few photos. If you're wondering why I didn't take my own pictures, well! My underwater/waterproof/everything-proof cam decided to fail on me on like, the second day. Underwater. I was trying to take a picture of some sea urchins and then it just fucked up. I'm still upset about this. False advertising!

So this is Paros - my second home! I lived on the left side, the windmill was pretty much our meeting point - where we'd take ferries out to other islands in the Cyclades, including Mykonos, Santorini and Naxos, and on the right was the main area with the restaurants, cafes and clubs and things, including the infamous Dubliner, which I miss tremendously.

Contemplating and shit. I think I was on one of the archeological sites near Santorini? I can't remember. Cameron was talking about something, and a few of us decided to check out the pretty waves crashing against the pretty rocks. We're so cultured.

Then near the end, Tiff came to see me for a day, and I took her to the great and holy Dubz. Was a bit of a shock actually, cos there was nothing in Paros that reminded me of Hong Kong. But it was a nice shock, of course! We had some drinks and ended up doing our part for Hong Kong by adding our great Special Administrative Region to the tits scoreboard, which I swear I made someone take a photo of.. Suffice to say, I was too hungover to wave her goodbye at the docks the next morning.

I just spent 10 minutes trying to find a photo of the scoreboard with little success. However, I did find some horrendous photos of me (thankfully not tagged by Ryland but about to be publicized on this entry):

I had reason to look so terrible, I'll have you know! I tripped over a brick on our little walk around the town, and it left a giant gash with blood spewing out like a Tim Burton production. And I was hot. And we were walking around for like, two hours. Did I mention we were walking? I should add (in reference to my first line about the Lucky Strikes) that I didn't quit the fags - if anything, I practically overdosed on nicotine. I shifted to Mal Lights cos the Luckys reminded me too much of Hong Kong, of pathetic little teenage problems etc etc. Plus, if I had been smoking reds instead of the lights, I wouldn't be alive to post this outrageously visual blog. I don't want to give a number (of cigs, of packs, of sticks; you will never know) but.. it was bad. I also OD-ed on olive oil, bread and feta cheese. MMMM.

The Dubz. Notice how Ben is stopping me from taking another drag out of my cig. That's the kind of care and consideration you get at this bar! Also, on the far left, the most amazing girl you'll ever meet.

I can only do Greece memoirs in small spurts I'm afraid, or else I get too nostalgic about it and end up bitching about HK for a week.

War - Emmy the Great

: thebathos; July 6th, 16:25

Back from Paros. Loved my life but now everytime I see an ionic column I'm close to tears. There is so much to say, and I'm writing it all up in my to-be-novella, hopefully finished by Easter. For this, I don't think I'll be updating the blog as regularly as I used to sorry! A hiatus, if you will. But still know that I love you all, and this blog. Ciao for now.

My e-ticket receipt...

: thebathos; June 4th, 11:21

05JUN 0035 HONG KONG
05JUN 0435 DUBAI
05JUN 1005 DUBAI
05JUN 1400 ATHENS

Life is good.

Slow Parade - Broken Records

: thebathos; May 31st, 20:56

Current Mood:: excited

I've now lost all sense of credibility. It kills me to say this but..

I actually thoroughly enjoyed Dirty Dancing.

Oh lover boy!

Next up: Jules et Jim (1962). I was watching another film from the 60s on my VHS player this 'morning' (couldn't sleep until 10) - love videos, they're so chunky I feel like I'm actually watching something, you know? Maybe that's why we have so many pirates, or at least reason #568: purely because a DVD or VCD doesn't seem as worth it - it's all about ~perception~ and frankly, 100 dollars (right?) for a piece of plastic just doesn't fly. There's $50 for a movie stub, I suppose, but for the lazy shits of the world - myself included - we just cannot be fucked. Furthermore, I think I'm one of those loner movie junkies; I mean it's all well and good if you're hanging out watching a movie with people who can follow the plot and aren't ridiculously retarded but I really can't stand people who ask stupid questions during a film. You know the type, the ones who ask 'what's going to happen next?' when its like, 'just wait a fucking minute and L-I-S-T-E-N.' or the type that always seems to have something to say about everything and anything, getting too emotionally involved into the lives of the characters - "oh I hate her! what is she wearing? you know if I were her I would blah blah fucking blah" All well and good after the movie, but not during, please! The only time I can honestly remember breaking this code of silence was during Atonement, when I started crying near the end and was mouthing - perhaps verbalizing - 'why, why, why!' in the cinemas. But so was everyone else! Fucking good movie.

So this particular movie from the 60s that I was watching was called Belle du Jour, with Catherine Deneuve. Really good film about a virginal house wife that works in a whorehouse from 2 to 5.. tres interesante. Really wish I could speak French so I wouldn't need to spend so long finding French films with subtitles (as I am doing now for Jules et Jim..). That, and it's such a seductive language - you could live your life swimming in that languge, talking bullshit but sounding beautiful. I couldn't get over how pretty Catherine Deneuve was either, like the typical pretty French blonde.. and how much Marcel looked like Cillian Murphy:

Am I right?

Need to go to the bookstore tomorrow to buy Captain Correlli's Mandolin and maybe a Lonely Planet for Athens since I'm a little confused about what to do for the first few days. So fucking excited though - leaving Thursday night so I'm rounding up the troops for one more night out before I say 'kalimera' to a new adventure. This will be like a.. taster before the real gap year, I guess, to see how I do, travelling alone and such. Realised that Anthony Bourdain is pretty much a hero - he gets paid to travel, write, and eat : the ideal job.

Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae

: thebathos; May 31st, 4:10

Current Mood:: dirty and dancing

So if my movie quota last night resembled any Communist propaganda in Russia during the 1930s it would be the Stakhanovite Movement (way to set up a metaphor..); pretty much exceeded my quota times 3. Watched The Graduate, It Happened One Night (a film from the 1940s with Clark Gable ~hawt~) and what's the other one - oh, Captain Correlli's Mandolin -- which was beautiful! Christian Bale was so hot as a Greek island boy but when Nicholas Cage starts turning up on the screen you're converted to cultured Italian men x100 - 'Bella bambino!' I've promised myself that I will buy the book and read it when I'm in Greece, since it seems most appropriate and the storyline was just so intensely beautiful.

One might be wondering why my music's kind of gay today. Was subject to Matt's wonderful CD while we were joy-joy-riding (doubleplus on the 'joy') in his (rather his dad's) beaten down, dark green car. I can't even remember the make or model, that is the extent of my knowledge on cars - must educate myself on this for the future. Apparently minis aren't sold automatic either, so I better learn manual when I get back from Athens. But yeah, he has a tire cover on the back which says 'EAT MY SPACE DUST' with the space guy from Space Jam or Looney Toons or whatever 90s cartoon show it was, I forget. Pretty "prime", "class", "safe"..

I actually must say I prefer hanging around Tai Po (the 'dark side' to the weary white folk of the island side) or even just Hong Lok Yuen with 'me mates' and a couple of beers (ginger beer for the designated driver aka Matt Ng). I mean it's basically Kangas without moving - and no fears of HLY closing down anytime soon? As much as getting wasted on a Weds/Thurs/Friday night works from time to time, being lazy and hanging out in a nice quiet park with friends is pretty timeless (does this mean I'm getting old? Eh..) It's true, I am - if you have not gathered already - pretty fucking lazy, but it's not just that, I'm sure! When was the last time you've ever had a decent conversation in a club? Never!!! I speak truths, friends. Let's look at the best series about friends - Friends - did they ever hang out in a noisy nightclub? I think not! Coffee shops all the way. And How I Met Your Mother? Nice quiet bars. So, yeah. Point pointed.

Or maybe I'm just getting old.

My brother just pointed out that we haven't seen our older brother for the past 4 days. Where the fuck is he? I swear I saw him yesterday, but apparently this is just retroactive interference. Oh well, should one be worried? Worrying has been replaced by frustration - cannot seem to load up this fucking movie.

Have I explained the movie thing yet by the way? I've got this list, you see, of 30 of the most romantic films of all time - and I'm going through them, in no particular order. I've covered 9 movies so far, feeling pretty pathetic since a lot of these seem to be quite classic and I consider myself a bit of a movie junkie so.. poor form! But it's nice to know I've got a lot of time to spare for this movie thing.. should've made a list of 100 or something, really, but I'll start small first and make my way up.

I've got quite a few things to do, actually.. Made a whole note on FB 'so what do I do with all the time in the world?' and have so far listed: the 30 films, to watch all of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations episodes (and I suppose, all other series I need to catch up on), some books I need to read, and.. yeah that's about it so far. Any other suggestions, feel free to comment - although I'd be quite surprised if I got notifications on my livejournal about folks commenting; not really the 'thing to do' on my blog. More like: stalk stalk stalk and leave no footprints, or pull a Matt and try to read nonsensical bullshit on blog but fail by falling asleep. I'm such a boring writer, how will I ever make it in this world?

I'd like to argue by saying that I'm only really writing for myself and so the 'entertaining' portion of writing - for an audience - is kind of put in the back of my mind.. but still, kind of sad.

I am going to kill myself. Nothing is loading. I've tried to find 5 of the movies on my list so far - none of which are working for me.. I've now resorted to Dirty Dancing, and if this also fails I will give up my search for tonight. I am feeling rather tired actually, but brother has tempted me into pulling an all nighter with him, because he needs to sort out his sleeping pattern for the coming exams.

Oh fuck, Dirty Dancing is actually working. I'd almost prefer to sleep or watch a black wall than this movie.. apparently its the ultimate cringe-fest and I don't think I've ever heard of a good film from the 80s (I expect this line to be edited out in the future when I think of one.. Star Wars? was that 80s? Fuck!) Even the name! Dirty Dancing! and Patrick Swayze? I think I might be sick.

Mm.. take me home! This reminds me of the playlist Matt, Boris, Laura and I made tonight - 10 or so songs of tender loving goodness. Let's just say Supermassive Black Hole made the cut. Anyone who knows ("knows" hah!) me will get the theme of this playlist in no time. We had quite the laugh. Other serious contenders who may or may not have made the playlist: Michael Buble, Maroon 5, Al Green..

Okay I think Dirty Dancing's buffered up enough, so I will start on it now. I dearly hope I'll still have some shred of self-respect by the end of this. If not, I'll take pride in the fact I lived a good life til May 31st - my integrity unwavering etc etc - and will drown my sorrows come Wednesday's ladies night.. Ciao (Dr.) Manhattan!

Pretty Baby - Blondie

: thebathos; May 29th, 16:54

Current Mood:: accomplished

So Barcelona won! 2-0 apparently. I feel like I should take up football betting now.

I was going to talk about Stem Cell Research today, because I realised how my blogs are rather self-centred and the article on TIME intrigued me.. but then I saw the video on Perez Hilton on their website, right next to the article, and then started stalking his site and completely forgot about Stem Cell Research for an hour or so. It's quite addictive, all that gossip. No wonder Sneha's so big on it.. or that other one, that I forget the name of. Our year's "gossip girl" - favourite site? gossip central, favourite show? GG? GG xoxo (Dude you should totally get a blog and name it 'Scandals in the SSC' by Snigs or something. A litte late I know, but hey! Nottingham, watch out: Snex is on the prowl)

Anyway, stem cell research. Let's talk about stem cell research whilst my streaming of The Graduate finishes buffering (I did actually fall asleep before it finished that night, way too tired and only made it up to the scene where he's driving Mrs Robinson home). I never really understood the big deal behind stem cells anyway. It's just one of those things that liberals are big on and republicans - not so much, right? But what is a stem cell?

So according to this site (in comic sans too, to make me feel like even more a retard for not knowing what stem cells are), we're basically dealing with cells that get orders to change into different kinds of cells, like muscle, blood, nervous tissue.. shit like that. And so I suppose 'stem cell research' refers to scientists trying to figure out how to control the growth of these stem cells - which could benefit quite a few people, I should think. Okay, understatement of the century - this kind of research could help out people with diabetes, Parkinson's.. even the dreaded 'c' word.

And you've also got to differentiate between the Adult Stem Cells (ASC) and the Embyronic Stem Cells (ESC). ESC actually pretty interested - isolated and developed in labs back in 1998 and they are (word of the day!) pluripotent which means it can turn into any - 200 'any' - of the cells in the body. However, therein lies the big issue that gets right-wing panties in a twist. In order to get these ESC babies, harvesting involves killing babies - rather, destroying the embryos to take all those nice pure elastic cells that haven't been turned into anything yet.

I don't really know what my opinion on this is. I don't think I have one. Seems stupid to veto a bill that could have potentially saved thousands of people suffering from Parkinson's or fucked up spines or whatever else could be fixed with more understanding on stem cells (a la Bush 2006) - Chris Reeves might've still been our Superman! But at the same time, we're kind of drifting into the argument for/against abortion - rights of the foetus/embryo etc. Does an embryo count as a human life? Pushing it a little.. I don't know: I think in our world you have to earn your life - why should an 8 week old sac have more reason to live than someone who's been around for a while, who's contributed to society somehow someway and who actually wants to live (or I can only assume that they want to live, considering how hard they've worked to stay alive against the odds of Parkinson's or cancer or whatever other affliction they may have). Yeah, so maybe we're not giving little Em a chance but its a tough world, kid, and you don't get many chances in life anyway.

If there's any way of not killing anything, that would be good too - left overs from fertility clinics seem like quite a good alternative... but I'm reducing it to this: would I rather see my own papa or grandpapa die, or the (nonexistant) unseen child in my belly?

Anyway, The Graduate loaded up 20 minutes ago. This was interesting. I'm sure a little boring to my usual viewers, but I feel like I've gained intellectually through the experience. Who needs school when you've got Google, ay?

The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel

: thebathos; May 28th, 2:31

Current Mood:: tired

Blogging under the influence: this must be tried. I have currently got The Graduate loading up on my PC (yes I am using a PC, will be switching to the Mac as soon as I purchase a charger before leaving to the Greeceland). Have feeling I might fall asleep before Graduate finishes. 'before the graduate finishes' - I feel so perverted for finding that funny. Man Utd Barcelona tonight. Supposing every testo charged male will be up tonight for the grand Champions finale. My money is on Barcelona purely because I'm feeling a little Spanish today (as I do every day) and I had a Sol and Carlsberg and found the Sol much more appetizing to my liver. The liver is the alcohol dome right? Alcohol dome wtf does that mean?

Am going out tomorrow - out out to LKF with Kathy hopefully, to enrich ourselves with the fine taste of free drinks and horny men. I will focus on the former, whilst Kathy.. actually no! she's currently engaged with some other male right now, so I suppose we'll both be in all hands-on-bar mode. And Gid.. must see Gid! Really wish Mr Matthew Tai was out, it's been ever so long since I've had an awkward moment with that man. I am positive he misses me too. Otherwise our friendship is null and void.

Really want to read more of Stalin's Children before I bed myself. 'Bed myself' - I really like that reflexive verb right there. Is that reflexive? or has the grammar Nazi failed? Must be the BUI (blogging under the influence woohoo) I am so adding that on Urban Dictionary one day, along with TUI (texting) if that is not already there. I've never been stupid enough to-- oh wait, yes I have. I was going to say I've never been stupid enough to text/dial under the influence but I've made that mistake many-a-time.. poor form, Irene, poor form.

Anyway, best be starting The Graduate now. Then reading, then sleeping. Perhaps watching the football if I can be assed, like a donkey. Goodbye cruel world!

Edit: Carlsberg is German isn't it? Woops. Either way, at 3AM HK time, Barcelona are leading with one goal. Irene's clairvoyance for the freaking win.

Evita

: thebathos; May 27th, 20:14

How many times have I changed the plans of my gap year? It's unbelievable, it's insane! But hopefully this is the last time (well one of the last times) I decide to drastically change my plans i.e. move continents. Spain is simply too expensive, and what's the next best place to learn Spanish other than Spain itself?

That's right! Argentina!
So I'm not too sure whether that's an iconic image of Argentina or not - I've never been to Buenos Aires, nor any other part of South America for that matter, so I am greatly intrigued by the possibility of travelling there sometime this year. That pretty much covers all my continents right? Apart from Africa but I mean, who really wants to go to Africa? Kidding kidding! Would love to visit Egypt, Morrocco, even South Africa to hitch that now-quite-popular-in-HK accent with the 'bru' and the 'yeahboy!'... Blood Diamond, too, is a good film. TIA~

I realise it sounds like I'm not taking the continent seriously but I am I am! I'm just wholly ignorant of what lies in that region - almost as ignorant as I am about South America! I've only heard but the greatest reviews from my little brother who visited Brazil a couple of summers ago for a football trip. He would constantly count in Portuguese and believed he could dance for a while - fortunately, he realised sooner than later that the samba was not his forte.

Back to Argentina. I've decided to invest in one of those Lonely Planet guides and have just sent an email to an i-to-i representative, who will hopefully help me out with this little adventure. Word of advice: do not fall into packages on dodgy gap year sites - stick to the big names because they have the most experience! Might seem a little obvious, but its important to do as much research as possible into the country and your plans there.. and budgeting is always a bitch - when you think you've got it sorted, there's always some extra fee or something you've overlooked so always add a couple thousand HKD to whatever you're quoting.

Argentina seems like a great idea, I'm quite excited about it. Way cheaper than Madrid, and the project that Gid and I are interested in (teaching English in Buenos Aires) guarantees us free TEFL certification and the times are flexible so we can get a lot of travelling done - esp if we both get our international licenses by the end of Summer! although I hear the roads in Argentina are a little crazy sometimes. Really need to do me some research. I know it seems tempting to just GO and let 'Fate' decide where you go and how you get there, but - take it from someone who's very familiar with getting lost and being a little reckless from time to time - do not be reckless in a foreign country! It's not safe! I feel like a mother but honestly, after watching A Long Way Round and seeing my dear sweet beautiful Ewan's mishaps, I don't have enough in me to brave that kind of trouble. I am lazy and cowardly - so I plan well in advance to avoid being frustrated and scared when I get there. Go me!

That said, I'm quite sure Gid and I will get into all kinds of trouble in Argentina. I was telling my brother about my new plans and he looked a little jealous so I asked him if he wanted to join us and he was like, "I would never travel with you and Gid, can you imagine how much shit you're get into?" or something to that effect, then he started laughing and returned back to his Star Wars sexology.. sixology.. ?

In other news, I've had all this extra time I've tried to do some reading, and watching of some classic films. I had Anna Karenina in my bag all day but decided to buy this novel 'Stalin's Children' by Owen Matthews (after spending much too long in Page One), and spent 20 minutes just outside Festival Walk reading the first couple of pages - so far, so good! Will be sure to give it a proper review sometime in the next few days, when I hopefully finish it. Also watched The Philadelphia Story last night but found the ending a little 'err' (spoiler to follow). I really wanted Tracy Lord to end up with the journalist, the whole thing seemed a little rushed, and I don't really see the appeal in Cary Grant... James Stewart, on the other hand!

But if we really have to go into the most beautiful men of the 40s... here's the clincher:

I've lost my train of thought. I'm going to meet Matt and the boys for a couple of beers.. that sounds so weird. I'm going to go for a beer or two with my friends. Better jet, until next time!

Colgando En Tus Manos - Carlos Baute & Marta Sánchez

: thebathos; May 25th, 1:28

I can't believe high school, the International Baccalaureate, is actually over.. I finished my exams on the same day as my formal, so I was pretty much rushing my hair and makeup ready for Olivia's pre-prom party with the rents for some champagne etc etc then onto a bus to Disneyland (yes, we had our formal at the Disneyland hotel.. the Cinderella room too, no less!).. We finished a bottle of vodka on the way which got everyone a little tipsy (and sadly, a little tired by the end!) The formal itself was a little boring in the beginning, but it picked up along the way and getting a hug from my HERO i.e. my history teacher, was something close to perfect! Made my night, which wasn't too difficult after the letdown that was the afterparty. Was so out of it, just ended up 'talking' to people outside the club about my emotions blah blah blah it was all very gay and expressive.

I actually got a nomination for 'Dark and Mysterious' - not sure why the folks in my year would think me dark!? or mysterious for that matter! I'm sure all of you that read my blog can vouch for my open lovingness, no? I'm like an open book - I guess it's just cos no one likes reading these days har har dee har har

In other news, I leave for Athens on June 5th - then on June 9th ferrying to the island of Paros for my course which ends on June.. 27th or something, then back to Athens for a couple of days before heading back to Hong Kong. Away for a long time, I know! but hopefully it'll do me some good - I really need to mull over a few things. 'Mull over': isn't that such a weird phrase? What the fuck does 'mull' mean anyway! But yes, I think this trip will be good for me - very introspective etc etc and I'm learning some simple Greek expressions just in case - so far, I've learned how to say 'I am Irene' (me lene Irene) and good morning (kalimera). Aren't I cool? I also bought a blue and white summer dress for the occasion - against those beautiful white houses and blue sea, with the Greek flag waving in the distance, with my moleskine journal sitting by the docks.. some beautiful Greek god of a man sweeping me off my feet and taking me on a boat ride and singing to me a beautiful Greek folk song...... or not. Hey! a girl can dream right?

Anyway, hopefully I'll see some of you before you head off to whereever you're heading off to - coffees seem to be quite popular in my meetings with people these days, so jump on the bandwagon and join me for straight blacks and reds. Alternatively, I am quite keen on heading down to Shalimar's for some curries etc etc and some of the local bars for some Tsing Tao. I think I'm developing a beer belly, I'm such a beer person now it's a little insane... So unfeminine!

Lucky - Jason Mraz

: thebathos; May 7th, 17:49

"You make it easier when life gets hard" Could not get this song out of my head during the Maths exam today. Not the best song to get stuck in your head when you're trying to differentiate in less than 6 minutes. It's such a slow song too, so your pace is completely thrown off... Failed the maths exam, as one might expect. Expecting to fail again tomorrow for the calc paper. It would be such a downer on one's mood if I did not come to terms with this earlier in the week. Can't wait to get these exams done, but I've got a free week next week to revise so hopefully I won't lapse into procrastination (although I feel like I'm already leaning this way..) Finished my History exam the other day and realised how much I will miss that subject, which makes me more and more resolved to reapply next year to my universities for a History degree - that is, if I reach the 38 requirement for some of them.

Got peer pressured into making a twitter the other day. It's pretty addictive I must say.

Anyway, I need to revise. A third of the way through my final IB exams I'm so haaaaapppy it's nearly over.

The Kids Don't Stand A Chance - Vampire Weekend

: thebathos; April 19th, 4:04

I think we've established my sleeping pattern has epically failed this holiday. Sleeping pills, melatonin, maths revision.. nothing is working for me. I am finding it IMPOSSIBLE to get to bed. And I'm blogging on my group or this thing much too much for someone with the volume of revision I've got to do before May. Fuck, fuck fuck fuck. AND CHUN, fucking Chun with his fucking omegle.com is fucking killing me.

I need Greece. I need Spain. I need Beijing and Moscow.

And Lenin's Mausoleum better be fucking open this time round!

I also have a really nice Ed Hardy bikini (courtesy of Olivia) that I've actually been dying to wear since January. Shouldn't really be saying this under a photo of Russia but - for Greece, definitely! and Spain, if October is still kosher for beaching. I really want to camp in Toledo. Except I've never camped before, so.. to camp in a completely foreign country might be a little fucked. You know what's fucked? Gid actually wanting to run with the fucking bulls in the fucking running of the bulls. He's got a deathwish; that's the only reason. I'm going to come back from Spain alone. I should bring my prom dress too, in case the funeral gets held there.

Moving morbidly along, Romania's another stop that has intrigued me - since yesterday. Dracula's castle, anyone? And it's not too hard to get to - there's a train running from Moscow - Bucharest that should be easy enough. And in terms of getting around, I've made a friend :) I know, I know: I'm sooo gay. This is kind of on a tangent but: I've actually inspired someone on omegle to come to Hong Kong during the Summer - AND offered to take him around, being the handy Hong Konger that I am. What bonds we make over really dodgy chat sites! Thank you, Chun, really.

Actually, I did meet someone yesterday who saw Marmaduke Duke in concert the night before, playing in Scotland. It was pretty surreal - I sent him the link and he was like I SAW THEM LAST NIGHT AHHAHAHAH we were wtf-ing for about 5 minutes and realised how awesome we both were and then the connection 'imploded'. How a connection 'implodes' I have no idea but doesn't that just kill you? Who knows, he could've been the guy of my dreams! A beautiful love story destroyed by an imploded connection. The makings, I know. "We're talking about divine intervention.."

I think sleep's in order. Katy is sending me Youtubes of 'coca cola y mentos en la boca de __'.. which are pretty hilarious at 5am in the morning, I'll admit. But sleep, let sleep come Laura Marling please will it. And when you wake up, look forward to English notes and History notes and maths revision and school on Monday (could life get any better, I ask you?).

FML

He Knows The Sun - The Legends

: thebathos; April 16th, 16:51

Current Mood:: working

Finally getting over this non-stop trance business. That's right: Irene can feel again! She lives, she lives! I am currently pulling an awesome by listening to music on a Facebook player. Flower's sent me 2382138 songs via links and MVs on Facebook; we are evolving, ladies and gents - didn't think it was possible, I know, but we grow up fast. And that Marmaduke Duke song comes out April 20th so get your iTunes out for that nugget of musical satisfaction. I feel really quite lazy around Flower actually, cos he always sends me such good music I feel like I should be working for it a little more. But it's all mutual. Like Russia/China's Treaty of Mutual Aid and Assistance.. or Friendship or.. something. You can tell that revision is going excellently for me at the moment.

I've been quite busy lately actually. Way too much going on right now, I really need a break. Revision, universities, the fucking gap year, PROM - yes, Irene is a girl. Actually, I really couldnt be bothered finding a dress so I walked into AX and bought the first LBD I could see (actually, the only LBD in that shop, I think). It's quite nice, and it saves me changing into an after-party dress.. and I could wear it to a funeral, which is always a good.. thought.. to have.. when buying dresses for prom... (I really should plan out what I'm going to say in my blogs instead of bullshitting so much). But other than prom, Greece was close to an epic fail the other night. I realised I missed the final installment for the course by two weeks - two weeks. So, at 3 in the morning, in dire need of a fag, I wrote a desperate desperate email to the director pleading and apologizing. Got a reply back saying it was all good, son. So then I told the mother who then proceeded to rant about her doubts and how everything was so expensive these days and how I should email my dad all the details first before we commit to anything - FRUSTRATING, to say the least. Fucking frustrating.

Also realised yesterday that I had not picked up my ID (one day late) so I had to jet to Fo Tan, praying they hadn't thrown it out. Which they didn't. Which is great. All the while I've been getting emails from the father about universities and trying to sort out Spain without pissing off the rents. As much as I want to look forward to my future, there is just soooo much to doooooo I'd rather just sleep for a year. Actually, that's a lie. I'm really quite excited about Spain (in October), and the trans-Siberian with Kathy and Natalie. Can you just imagine? Cheap vodka, masses of fur (because I had the excellent idea of going in the coldest months!), cartons of cigarettes and Tolstoy for the spare moments. I actually started reading Anna Karenina a while back - got half way and then found the MOVIE with Vivien Leigh online! So I watched that, then left the book by my bedside table.. still waiting to be finished (and it shall, it shall - after the 2183721381 pages of history notes/books I've been neglecting since the start of IB) But yeah, she's quite beautiful. Quite the tragic heroine. Not too sure what her fatal flaw would be though - trains? Bad joke.

I have this weird obssession for highlighting lines I really like. Not in excess though - just the few words of Extraordinary. And there's this one part that I can't get out of my head, which is really beautiful - don't worry I'm not going to feed you the opening lines (a little too predictable of me, please!). It's when Vronsky professes his love to Anna, which is all well and good, but what comes after:

"Then do this for me, never say such things to me, and let us be good friends," she said, in words, though her eyes said something quite different.
"We can never be friends, you know that yourself. But whether we shall be the happiest or the unhappiest people in the world - all that depends on you."

Does that not make any romance (future, past or present) in your life seem null and void? Tragic love, friends.

So there's this one song that is killing me right now. Everytime I listen to it I'm something close to tears (but still made of steel, don't worry). Honestly didn't think much of it the first time I heard it.. or the second time, actually.. but I finally took a moment to actually listen to it, and even got the lyrics up in English too and 'oh my God' is all I can say. For one, her voice is absolutely stunning - it's so real and down-to-earth and natural and yet, at the same time, she manages to pull you up into this heightened sense of understanding. She's like coffee and cigarettes. And the lyrics! you're only halfway there without the lyrics:

They tell me that destiny makes fun of us,
That it gives us nothing and promises all
It seems that happiness is within reach,
so you reach out and find yourself mad
However, someone told me.. (Quelqu'un m'a dit)

C'est tres romantique, non? I feel like I'm living vicariously through Youtubes, which is rather sad. But I've really got to buckle up and get on with revision or I'm fucked. I couldn't sleep till like 6 the other night I was panicking like crazy (about Greece, unis, exams etc), tried meditating for an hour or so but gave up when the music failed to overpower the sound of FAILURE haaaaaaah.. then decided to find my 'happy place' but realised I don't actually have a happy place, which made me panic even more. Finally managed to get to bed though when the light was coming through, then got woken by my two favourite people - consecutively - at 8 then 9 in the morning. Really love how my friends look out for me, making sure I'm completely deprived of sleep. That said, if they don't call and I've taken these (absolutely fantastic) melatonin pills, I end up sleeping in till the afternoon. I think I need to start taking the ACTUAL dosage, as opposed to the 'JUST LET ME SLEEEEEP NOW' dosage (i.e. double).

I have a feeling my lack/excess of sleep has something to do with my going cold turkey. I've been.. "turkeying" for 5 days now. Kind of scary. I have a Facebook group and everything, where I post video diaries and all kinds of shit. It's kind of like the FB version of the Cave. Or that's what I'm aiming for, anyway. Kind of (very) lame, but its a closed group so only friends who already know how lame I am can see the amount of lame posted within. Probably the same friends who look at this blog, actually! So HI Y'ALL, if you're still with me after 1000 words of BS. Power! But yes, there's a lot at stake in this cold turkey thing because I am competing with Ollie, who's a compulsive nail biter. So yeah. Irene deals with nicotine addiction whilst Olivia sees her nails everyday. I'm "totes" in it to win it.

So conclusions? Irene needs to get back on her revision now or else she will FAIL. I'm doing this operant conditioning thing where I reward myself with one 20 minute episode of How I Met Your Mother after completing a topic. Except I've kind of fucked it up a bit by just.. procrastinating with HIMYM episodes, like 10 episodes in a row kind of thing. So that fucked up. And I've got 3 seasons to go? so if I do actually fail the IB, you will know why: fucking sitcoms. And BLOGGING TOO FUCKING MUCH! I must go.

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thebathos

The Moral Compass

18 year old girl wants to get together to talk about the modern age

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