I'm an hour and a half away from operation ninja warrior, where i would have to clear walls ten stories high and leap off from a height of 21m above ground.
woke up early after listening to the wrong alarm. broke fast even though i'm not fasting.
good night.
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Thursday, 3 September 2009
D minus 98 days.
D minus 98 days.
Preparations for D-day has finally begun, though every cell of my body has been ready for months. Sorted out the days where i will not be around the organisation. In fact, half of October and the whole of November will be spent outside the long arm and far reaches of the organisation.
But this month is a whole different game. Being away at a crucial time of change means that i am forced to accept what is normally unacceptable. Hopefully I'll be able to toss the balls around and deflect a few arrows.
You know the organisation works time in a opposite way from school. When in school last time, the closer you are to say, the exams, the faster time seems to pass, while here in the organisation, the closer you are to your end, the longer time seems to be.
And last but not least, a little something for fellow ORD sufferers. =) (I didn't write it up, found it somewhere in the medical center and subsequently nicked it off the web)
OBSESSIVE RETARDATION DISEASE (ORD)
Obsessive Retardation Disease (ORD) is a mental disorder officially recognised by the Regimental Organisation of Doctors (ROD), a paramilitary medical organisation affiliated with the Singapore Armed Forces Medical Corps. First identified in 1967 by the pioneer batch of SAF Medical Officers nearing the end of their military draft, it has since been studied extensively and categorised, despite early controversy over its classification, as a legitimate mental disease.
Contents
Origin
ORD was first identified and named by CPT (Dr) Orded Loh in 1967. It was christened as such because it was characterised by psychologists specialising in neuroses as a obsessive compulsive disorder which fixates its victim's attention on something in particular, and in so doing degrades the cognitive abilities of its victim ie. retards his mind. CPT (Dr) Loh, who himself succumbed to the disease, was the first to observe that the disease mainly occurred among NSFs, even among those who had no family or personal history of mental illness.
Symptoms of Obsessive Retardation Disease (ORD)
Individuals afflicted by ORD exhibit a variety of symptoms, which upon first sight appear mutually contradictory. Apparent injuries formerly sustained by the afflicted victim, notably those inhibiting vigorous physical activity necessary for rigorous training as a soldier, diminishes at an accelerated rate, usually without accompanying treatment of any form. The phenomenal rate of recuperation ensures that the ORD-stricken serviceman fully recovers by the time he leaves the army. Though less common, but ubiquitous is the observation that some formerly medically unfit servicemen, those assigned PES C or E, recover fast enough to be upgraded back to PES B.
At the same time, perhaps somewhat ironically, the same individuals afflicted with the mental illness have been observed to fall ill more often to common minor illnesses, such as Influenza, diarrhoea (perhaps the most common), fever, sore throats etc. , resulting in an observed increment of medical sick leave (MCs) taken by the ORD personnel. Periods of such medical leave are known to occur in conjunction with outstanding leave or days off. Subjects afflicted with ORD also experiences reduced inhibitions; these individuals are often observed by their normal peers to appear relaxed and generally happier at all times.
General incompetence accompanies their reduced inhibitions; errors identified in the course of duty or work by fellow co-workers or peers are often left uncorrected by the victim even if their existence was acknowledged. The discrepancies in question are often shrugged off by the ORD-afflicted author. ORD also appears to reduce the attention span and concentration intensity of its victims with regards to their everyday work. Perhaps the most bizarrely, patients suffering from ORD have been known to at times, orally exclaim the very name of the disease, followed by a "Loh!" or alternatively "Oh!".
Occurrences
ORD has been observed to affect mostly Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) though NSFs with an overzealous attitude in military service appear to be particularly resistant to the mental disorder, though most would eventually succumb to the disease. With few exceptions, regular servicemen appear to suffer from it only rarely, though the disease tends to affect regular servicemen nearing the end of their military contract, largely those emplaced on short term schemes. The disorder has also been observed to be mysteriously absent in NSFs pending absorption into regular service.
Diagnosis
As with most mental aberrations ORD is difficult to diagnose definitively because no physical symptoms manifest themselves in its victim. Prognosis of ORD consists of usually no more than verifying the date of official discharge of the NSF concerned as less than three months away, though early warning symptoms may present themselves earlier than expected. A serviceman may be diagnosed with ORD when he has been observed to have at most less than three months of service balance and exhibits most or all of the above symptoms.
Treatment
At present, no lasting form of treatment exists for victims of ORD. Drugs commonly prescribed for other obsessive-compulsive disorders appear to have little discernible effect on ORD. More paradoxically, befitting its status as a mental anomaly, victims of ORD are usually content to remain in their current state and often refuse attempted treatment of any form. This observation concurs with its identified categorisation as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, with the exception that its presence is usually cheerfully acknowledged by the sufferer.
Effective short-term treatment include prolonging the date of their official discharge, forfeiture of leave balance and days off, as well as assignment of extra weekend duties, all of which appears to dampen the ecstasy experienced by ORD sufferers.
Preventive Measures
At present, no effective preventive measures exist to circumvent the inevitable onset of ORD for NSFs nearing the end of their service, though it has been observed that threatening the ORD sufferer with the treatment as outlined above depreciates the inception of the disorder.
As with treatment, would-be sufferers of ORD often refuse to take any form of preventive measure against ORD, and more often than not, in fact, eagerly await the onset of ORD.
Conclusion
Despite various extensive studies ever since its discovery, ORD remains an enigma to most SAF psychologists seeking to understand the disease better. The above exposition should serve to aid superiors in better understanding and elucidating the omnipresent mental disorder which would eventually befall their subordinates.
Preparations for D-day has finally begun, though every cell of my body has been ready for months. Sorted out the days where i will not be around the organisation. In fact, half of October and the whole of November will be spent outside the long arm and far reaches of the organisation.
But this month is a whole different game. Being away at a crucial time of change means that i am forced to accept what is normally unacceptable. Hopefully I'll be able to toss the balls around and deflect a few arrows.
You know the organisation works time in a opposite way from school. When in school last time, the closer you are to say, the exams, the faster time seems to pass, while here in the organisation, the closer you are to your end, the longer time seems to be.
And last but not least, a little something for fellow ORD sufferers. =) (I didn't write it up, found it somewhere in the medical center and subsequently nicked it off the web)
Medical-In-Confidence
OBSESSIVE RETARDATION DISEASE (ORD)
Obsessive Retardation Disease (ORD) is a mental disorder officially recognised by the Regimental Organisation of Doctors (ROD), a paramilitary medical organisation affiliated with the Singapore Armed Forces Medical Corps. First identified in 1967 by the pioneer batch of SAF Medical Officers nearing the end of their military draft, it has since been studied extensively and categorised, despite early controversy over its classification, as a legitimate mental disease.
Contents
- Origin
- Symptoms of Obsessive Retardation Disease (ORD)
- Occurrence
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Preventive Measures
- Conclusion
Origin
ORD was first identified and named by CPT (Dr) Orded Loh in 1967. It was christened as such because it was characterised by psychologists specialising in neuroses as a obsessive compulsive disorder which fixates its victim's attention on something in particular, and in so doing degrades the cognitive abilities of its victim ie. retards his mind. CPT (Dr) Loh, who himself succumbed to the disease, was the first to observe that the disease mainly occurred among NSFs, even among those who had no family or personal history of mental illness.
Symptoms of Obsessive Retardation Disease (ORD)
Individuals afflicted by ORD exhibit a variety of symptoms, which upon first sight appear mutually contradictory. Apparent injuries formerly sustained by the afflicted victim, notably those inhibiting vigorous physical activity necessary for rigorous training as a soldier, diminishes at an accelerated rate, usually without accompanying treatment of any form. The phenomenal rate of recuperation ensures that the ORD-stricken serviceman fully recovers by the time he leaves the army. Though less common, but ubiquitous is the observation that some formerly medically unfit servicemen, those assigned PES C or E, recover fast enough to be upgraded back to PES B.
At the same time, perhaps somewhat ironically, the same individuals afflicted with the mental illness have been observed to fall ill more often to common minor illnesses, such as Influenza, diarrhoea (perhaps the most common), fever, sore throats etc. , resulting in an observed increment of medical sick leave (MCs) taken by the ORD personnel. Periods of such medical leave are known to occur in conjunction with outstanding leave or days off. Subjects afflicted with ORD also experiences reduced inhibitions; these individuals are often observed by their normal peers to appear relaxed and generally happier at all times.
General incompetence accompanies their reduced inhibitions; errors identified in the course of duty or work by fellow co-workers or peers are often left uncorrected by the victim even if their existence was acknowledged. The discrepancies in question are often shrugged off by the ORD-afflicted author. ORD also appears to reduce the attention span and concentration intensity of its victims with regards to their everyday work. Perhaps the most bizarrely, patients suffering from ORD have been known to at times, orally exclaim the very name of the disease, followed by a "Loh!" or alternatively "Oh!".
Occurrences
ORD has been observed to affect mostly Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) though NSFs with an overzealous attitude in military service appear to be particularly resistant to the mental disorder, though most would eventually succumb to the disease. With few exceptions, regular servicemen appear to suffer from it only rarely, though the disease tends to affect regular servicemen nearing the end of their military contract, largely those emplaced on short term schemes. The disorder has also been observed to be mysteriously absent in NSFs pending absorption into regular service.
Diagnosis
As with most mental aberrations ORD is difficult to diagnose definitively because no physical symptoms manifest themselves in its victim. Prognosis of ORD consists of usually no more than verifying the date of official discharge of the NSF concerned as less than three months away, though early warning symptoms may present themselves earlier than expected. A serviceman may be diagnosed with ORD when he has been observed to have at most less than three months of service balance and exhibits most or all of the above symptoms.
Treatment
At present, no lasting form of treatment exists for victims of ORD. Drugs commonly prescribed for other obsessive-compulsive disorders appear to have little discernible effect on ORD. More paradoxically, befitting its status as a mental anomaly, victims of ORD are usually content to remain in their current state and often refuse attempted treatment of any form. This observation concurs with its identified categorisation as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, with the exception that its presence is usually cheerfully acknowledged by the sufferer.
Effective short-term treatment include prolonging the date of their official discharge, forfeiture of leave balance and days off, as well as assignment of extra weekend duties, all of which appears to dampen the ecstasy experienced by ORD sufferers.
Preventive Measures
At present, no effective preventive measures exist to circumvent the inevitable onset of ORD for NSFs nearing the end of their service, though it has been observed that threatening the ORD sufferer with the treatment as outlined above depreciates the inception of the disorder.
As with treatment, would-be sufferers of ORD often refuse to take any form of preventive measure against ORD, and more often than not, in fact, eagerly await the onset of ORD.
Conclusion
Despite various extensive studies ever since its discovery, ORD remains an enigma to most SAF psychologists seeking to understand the disease better. The above exposition should serve to aid superiors in better understanding and elucidating the omnipresent mental disorder which would eventually befall their subordinates.
Medical-In-Confidence
ORD LOH!
ORD LOH!
Friday, 28 August 2009
of three times of stars
There's something to be said about revisiting the past. Be it visiting your archives or the archives of others. Or looking up into the skies again, at day and at night.
Just read my archives for a significant portion of last year as this year draws to a close as i look for an explaination for the events that happened this year. And i can't say that i have found anything of significance. But reading old stuff i write do make me chuckle to myself and yeah. see how different things are and be happy that they are.
I have posted about stars twice. for two seperate times where i sleep on the grasses of new zealand at night, staring up at the infinite cosmos, admiring their beauty in numbers. I remember the first time i saw the stars, I was overwhelmed by its magnificence, of its scale, and i thought about my place in that vast universe. And i didn't thought much. For i was young and at that time, missing my home. And then years past before i saw those stars a second time, for Singapore has created for itself a galaxy of lights, that are pretty to look at, yet unnatural and lacking the random positionings of the stars, and the lights obscured the faint glow of the heavens. But yeah, i was back in NZ, this time in green, with perhaps people whom , like me, are too concerned with the passing of days and life on earths to look up into the skies. But i did, and in the stars i saw our destinies, and how our destinies must be plotted out by the heavens. I tried to map out orion and sagittarius, to identify aries and scorpio, to no avail and i thought to myself. There must be someone who can read this. and we should.
And then i went to thailand. The darkness of the night sky there means i was able to once again. look up into the stars. And then realisation hit me. I took a step back and raised my head once more and saw that of course our lives are plotted in the heavens, but who are we to read them? and should we? do we need to? And i understood our place. For if someone, somehow have managed to place us right in the middle so we could look up and observe the beauty of the night sky. Surely we are of note. And surely, we have meaning.
I finally realised why i hadn't been able to come out with a post for so long. I've been looking to close to earth for inspiration.
When all i need to is to raise my head.
and that be the answer in the wind
Just read my archives for a significant portion of last year as this year draws to a close as i look for an explaination for the events that happened this year. And i can't say that i have found anything of significance. But reading old stuff i write do make me chuckle to myself and yeah. see how different things are and be happy that they are.
I have posted about stars twice. for two seperate times where i sleep on the grasses of new zealand at night, staring up at the infinite cosmos, admiring their beauty in numbers. I remember the first time i saw the stars, I was overwhelmed by its magnificence, of its scale, and i thought about my place in that vast universe. And i didn't thought much. For i was young and at that time, missing my home. And then years past before i saw those stars a second time, for Singapore has created for itself a galaxy of lights, that are pretty to look at, yet unnatural and lacking the random positionings of the stars, and the lights obscured the faint glow of the heavens. But yeah, i was back in NZ, this time in green, with perhaps people whom , like me, are too concerned with the passing of days and life on earths to look up into the skies. But i did, and in the stars i saw our destinies, and how our destinies must be plotted out by the heavens. I tried to map out orion and sagittarius, to identify aries and scorpio, to no avail and i thought to myself. There must be someone who can read this. and we should.
And then i went to thailand. The darkness of the night sky there means i was able to once again. look up into the stars. And then realisation hit me. I took a step back and raised my head once more and saw that of course our lives are plotted in the heavens, but who are we to read them? and should we? do we need to? And i understood our place. For if someone, somehow have managed to place us right in the middle so we could look up and observe the beauty of the night sky. Surely we are of note. And surely, we have meaning.
I finally realised why i hadn't been able to come out with a post for so long. I've been looking to close to earth for inspiration.
When all i need to is to raise my head.
and that be the answer in the wind
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
blowing in the wind.
Well well. I'm finally back from the land of smiles. tired, tanned and glad that its finally over.
Thailand, has a warm smile. real warm. 36 celcius warm smile. And there i was complaining how terrible the singaporean heat was. But now, the singaporean climate feels like some artic tundra for me. Its a wonder how anything survive under the temperature of thailand. And still grow to humungous sizes. I saw, for the first time in my life, insects the size of my hand, insects i thought only existed in dreams and picture books, things drawn out by some artist. But yeah, thailand has them all, praying mantises, scorpions, centimetres long milli-pedes. and centipedes that are just as long. Its a zoologists' heaven over there man.
and a gastronomes. I believe that the chefs of thailand are able to cook anything you present to them and able to name to them. Food there's awesome. and cheap. and random. Ordered different funky combinations of fried rice and side dishes and wanton noodles everyday from the canteen and somehow it all tastes good.
And the stars were awesome. maybe not as good as those in new zealand, but nonetheless impressive. and captivating.
and speeding down the road on the back of a truck moving at speeds it is not supposed to is fantastically fun. With the wind in your face and mp3 blasting in your ears and great scenery around you. the feeling is great. Its like having free botox or something. haha. tightens your skin.
and its this wind, and those stars, and the clouds that reminded me of a song.
It asked, how many times must a man lift his head. before he can see the sky.
I believe i found the answer. to that and a dozen more questions in that song.
Was thinking about writing a post today about that and in fact i have already written one in the pages of my notebook. but decided against it after wrting down the whole thing. For after all, we all know the answer of the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything is 42.
but what's the question?
The answer my friend.
Is blowing in the wind.
=)
till next time.
Thailand, has a warm smile. real warm. 36 celcius warm smile. And there i was complaining how terrible the singaporean heat was. But now, the singaporean climate feels like some artic tundra for me. Its a wonder how anything survive under the temperature of thailand. And still grow to humungous sizes. I saw, for the first time in my life, insects the size of my hand, insects i thought only existed in dreams and picture books, things drawn out by some artist. But yeah, thailand has them all, praying mantises, scorpions, centimetres long milli-pedes. and centipedes that are just as long. Its a zoologists' heaven over there man.
and a gastronomes. I believe that the chefs of thailand are able to cook anything you present to them and able to name to them. Food there's awesome. and cheap. and random. Ordered different funky combinations of fried rice and side dishes and wanton noodles everyday from the canteen and somehow it all tastes good.
And the stars were awesome. maybe not as good as those in new zealand, but nonetheless impressive. and captivating.
and speeding down the road on the back of a truck moving at speeds it is not supposed to is fantastically fun. With the wind in your face and mp3 blasting in your ears and great scenery around you. the feeling is great. Its like having free botox or something. haha. tightens your skin.
and its this wind, and those stars, and the clouds that reminded me of a song.
It asked, how many times must a man lift his head. before he can see the sky.
I believe i found the answer. to that and a dozen more questions in that song.
Was thinking about writing a post today about that and in fact i have already written one in the pages of my notebook. but decided against it after wrting down the whole thing. For after all, we all know the answer of the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything is 42.
but what's the question?
The answer my friend.
Is blowing in the wind.
=)
till next time.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
flying crescendo.
Leaving on a jetplane. haha. Ok. I'm not flying off forever yet. but am going for a mission as part of the recce team to find out what monsters lay in the land before the main hunters arrive. This means i will have to dodge dragons and outrun kirins while outsmarting huge primates in a land so foreign and barren and harsh that we are the first people to enter the land in a decade and consequently means that i may be unvailable to reply or comment in the meantime. Wish me luck and hopefully i'll be able to return in one piece.
Nah. Just joking. the only hunting i'll do is on my psp.
And when i'm back. its time to go to sleep, and ask someone to, Wake me up when september ends. haha.
ITS GONNA BE FAST FROM NOW ON!!!!!!
Can hardly wait.
Nah. Just joking. the only hunting i'll do is on my psp.
And when i'm back. its time to go to sleep, and ask someone to, Wake me up when september ends. haha.
ITS GONNA BE FAST FROM NOW ON!!!!!!
Can hardly wait.
Friday, 14 August 2009
The third
Well. the third is here.
In day 2 of my pre-flight off currently. lazing around at home.
Was woken up today by a UNSW interview that i totally forgot about since i have decided i was going to monash anyway. Had an impromptu interview which i think i pretty much screwed but who cares? haha.
money is seriously threatening my ability to survive now.
will have more soon.
In day 2 of my pre-flight off currently. lazing around at home.
Was woken up today by a UNSW interview that i totally forgot about since i have decided i was going to monash anyway. Had an impromptu interview which i think i pretty much screwed but who cares? haha.
money is seriously threatening my ability to survive now.
will have more soon.
Monday, 10 August 2009
I never expected it to come to such an end.
I thought it would have went out slowly, but valiantly just like good old morpheus. To take it away from me like this is just too. cruel. Feel as though i've lost a child to kidnappers or something. A part of me, forcifully torn away. True, it had never reached the bonds i had with morpheus. Its name never really stuck. But who could forget my hunting expeditions with it, the elder dragons, the wyverns will killed. Together we have reached a higher level than morpheus and i ever had.
But unlike when i lost morpheus, my thoughts this time rest more on how i'm going to survive without it, instead of grieving over it like last time. After all, i only have 4 months left till the terms of the curse is fulfilled and i am a free man once more. And will i still need it then. something in me tells me yes, yet other parts tell me no.
and there's still the 10 day thailand trip where i am definitely dead meat without a psp in my hands.
The world has turned and left me here
Just where I was before you appeared.
And in your place an empty space
Has filled the void behind my face.
I just made love with your sweet memory,
One thousand times in my head.
You said you loved it more than ever,
You said.
The world has turned and left me here- Weezer
I thought it would have went out slowly, but valiantly just like good old morpheus. To take it away from me like this is just too. cruel. Feel as though i've lost a child to kidnappers or something. A part of me, forcifully torn away. True, it had never reached the bonds i had with morpheus. Its name never really stuck. But who could forget my hunting expeditions with it, the elder dragons, the wyverns will killed. Together we have reached a higher level than morpheus and i ever had.
But unlike when i lost morpheus, my thoughts this time rest more on how i'm going to survive without it, instead of grieving over it like last time. After all, i only have 4 months left till the terms of the curse is fulfilled and i am a free man once more. And will i still need it then. something in me tells me yes, yet other parts tell me no.
and there's still the 10 day thailand trip where i am definitely dead meat without a psp in my hands.
The world has turned and left me here
Just where I was before you appeared.
And in your place an empty space
Has filled the void behind my face.
I just made love with your sweet memory,
One thousand times in my head.
You said you loved it more than ever,
You said.
The world has turned and left me here- Weezer
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
The dragon hunters.
I dream of all our days to come
I drag in shapes in lines to burn
And wonder how we end this game
As on and on from stone to stone
The monsters come and go
And every one the step we follow back again
Oh they can run
They can hide
But we will hunt
And we will find them
They can crawl
And then they die
Until our work is done
Yeah they can run
They can hide
But we will hunt
And we will find them
They can crawl
And they will die
That's why it's so much fun!
Yeah!
We only want a song to sing
A story told for us to live
And side by side we fight the beast
Floating words and floating world
We only wish this time we had was all
And spinning round we'll be
Yeah they can run
They can hide
But we will hunt
And we will find them
They can crawl
And then they die
Until our work is done
Sure they can run
They can hide
But we will hunt
And we will find them
They can crawl
And they will die
That's why it's so much fun!
Someday
We'll find ourselves in love
A wonderful day
Together on our own
Yes someday
The legends turn to stone
A wonderful day
Just on and on
We make it home
Still wait for all our days to be
I drag in shapes in memory
No wonder if we end the same
Around around around around it goes
The monster's been and gone
And every one the step we follow back again
Yeah always run
Always hide
And always hunt
And always find
But everyone
This week we'll fight
That's why it's won...
Yeah...
Well. Its not exatly a dragon. More like a rodent. a rat. But it certainly was fun hunting it, capturing it, then releasing it into the wilderness of the SOC ground.
Superphuntime.
I drag in shapes in lines to burn
And wonder how we end this game
As on and on from stone to stone
The monsters come and go
And every one the step we follow back again
Oh they can run
They can hide
But we will hunt
And we will find them
They can crawl
And then they die
Until our work is done
Yeah they can run
They can hide
But we will hunt
And we will find them
They can crawl
And they will die
That's why it's so much fun!
Yeah!
We only want a song to sing
A story told for us to live
And side by side we fight the beast
Floating words and floating world
We only wish this time we had was all
And spinning round we'll be
Yeah they can run
They can hide
But we will hunt
And we will find them
They can crawl
And then they die
Until our work is done
Sure they can run
They can hide
But we will hunt
And we will find them
They can crawl
And they will die
That's why it's so much fun!
Someday
We'll find ourselves in love
A wonderful day
Together on our own
Yes someday
The legends turn to stone
A wonderful day
Just on and on
We make it home
Still wait for all our days to be
I drag in shapes in memory
No wonder if we end the same
Around around around around it goes
The monster's been and gone
And every one the step we follow back again
Yeah always run
Always hide
And always hunt
And always find
But everyone
This week we'll fight
That's why it's won...
Yeah...
Well. Its not exatly a dragon. More like a rodent. a rat. But it certainly was fun hunting it, capturing it, then releasing it into the wilderness of the SOC ground.
Superphuntime.
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