By-election Punggol-East

This by-election has, in all honesty, escaped me because I was more concerned with a play than what happens in parliament. After the election dust have settled and votes accounted for, I thought I might mark this day with a commentary. Yet, I know very little to begin with and being a non-resident of Punggol, I'm hardly in the right geographical area to speak of. However that doesn't mean it's not simultaneously a national issue. 

So...instead, I'll let others do the talking and from their voices...

"RE: Is this the calibre of our scholar rulers and planners?
YES. Pretty bad isn’t it?

This is because when people are seen as economic digits, instead of as people, you look at them only in terms of how much $$$$ you can get from them.

You don’t consider they need somewhere to stay, methods of travelling, places for medical treatment, institutions to study at, jobs that pay enough, space, time to adapt to major changes like 2 million foreigners being brought in in 18 years and of which half of don’t speak English. Just the basic things of life…

It doesn’t take rocket science to figure this out. Neither does one need to be a scholar. But the ability to think and to see people as human beings is essential."

- Gingerbarker, Forum Post on TheTemasekReview

Mr Speaker: Mr Low Thia Khiang.

Mr Low Thia Khiang (Aljunied): Supplementary question, Sir. I am pleased to note that the Prime Minister has said that he has decided to call a by-election. That settles all the hypothetical speculation outside the House. He said that he would consider all factors before deciding when a by-election should be called. I would like to ask whether or not, after considering all the factors, would he be able to indicate a period in which a by-election would be called.

Mr Lee Hsien Loong: Certainly, Mr Speaker, I will do so as soon as I have finished considering all the factors.

Mr Speaker: Mr Low.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Would the Prime Minister be able to indicate how soon and how much time he would need to consider all the factors and settle his urgent agenda?

Mr Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have said what I intend to say. And I shall announce when I have decided to call a by-election as soon as I have decided to do so.

Mr Speaker: Ms Sylvia Lim.

Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied): Mr Speaker, Sir, two supplementary questions for the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister not agree that with the Hougang SMC being vacant, there is actually an under-representation of the Hougang voters in this House? And second clarification is, he mentioned that there would be factors that he would consider in deciding when to call the by-election. In this particular instance, can he specify what are the matters which would delay calling the Hougang by-election?

Mr Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Speaker, on the first question of whether there is an under-representation of the interest of the voters of Hougang as a result of this, I do not know that. If that is an issue, I would have thought it is something which the Workers’ Party would have considered before deciding to expel Mr Yaw Shin Leong. Because the Constitution is clear. The rules are clear. How by-elections are called or not called is also completely clear. We debated this in the House. If we are in this situation today, it is because the Workers’ Party has caused this situation to happen, knowing the consequences. As for the second question, I have already answered Mr Low three times, and I think my answer stands.

- Transcript of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's reply in Parliament on calling a by-election in Hougang SMC

"We will not oppose for the sake of opposing when policies are sound and in the interests of the nation. But we will not hesitate to confront the government when policies are not in the interests of the people." 

- LTK WP 22 Jan Punggol East By-Election

"Well, like this mutually suspicious politics of hatred that we've been talking about it. I know it's hard, but you've got to put it behind you, rise above it. It's no good me saying 'don't reduce politics to a slanging match' and you replying 'well, your lot started it'....I think politics is more fun when there's 2 strong sides squaring up, no quarter asked or given, and respect on both sides. Because if you don't respect your opponent, you're not respecting the game, and that means you're not respecting our parliament." 

- Christopher Brookmyre, Country of the Blind

"I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine- the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be?"

- V for Vendetta, V

The slightly insidious side to being a Director

I am extremely grateful to NUS Stage for giving me the opportunity to direct a dramatised reading. As the week winds down to the last performance held today, I can't help but think that this process has been surreal.

Directing has been something that I thought I wouldn't be able to do. It's akin to watching an Olympic gymnast and telling yourself that it's impossible you'll be that person on TV. Being a very technical person, someone who thinks in terms of cues, markings and timing, artistic direction has alluded my sphere of experience. Yet this opportunity has sparked something that had been dormant.

I used to write fiction - letting my mind wander to alternate realities. Almost all the stories I write are based in reality, because stories are just more convincing when you can imagine them to be real. This experience escaped me after 21 Dec 2008, when I brutally learnt that reality can be more painful and more fantastical than fiction. When you really can only write about pain when you have felt it. Ever since, my senses deaden because it is simply easier not to feel especially when all you feel is just pain. I shut the doors of my imagination.

Directing has most leisurely drawn that side back. Well firstly, Shiv said something that I've been grappling to put words to: Directors act the most. We act in front of our actors. Taking criticisms and molding into alluring encouragements that will prod the actors to perform in a certain way. I find myself  crafting "pathways", creating illusions of choice to seduce my cast into coming to their own conclusions when it's really my own. It is seditious, scheming. Being this director, I transform into a  mastermind of story-tellers. We have to tell a story to our cast, and through them, to reach out to our audience. It's slightly insidious and no wonder "the Scottish play" is not spoken during performance night. With so much yarns of lies, tales and Machiavellian plots running afoot - the web is ready to spring upon the audience and actors to create the intended atmosphere.

"Politicians lie to hide the truth, artists tell lies to reveal it"

- V from V for Vendetta

The Issue with Whining and Ranting

Firstly, I have no qualms about people complaining. It is after all a healthy outlet for what may be a temporary problem, or perhaps it is a way to gather up energy for the overcoming a small obstacle. However, I do have people who whine about their work and rant about how difficult it is to write a literature review, or how fantastically tedious this term paper is etc.

It is not a measure of arrogance when I denounce such "whinery". I draw from my personal experience and offer warning and caution to those who dramatise their private problems to a public audience. This may offend most people's sensibilities, but think about it: What you say reveals more about you, than the thing you are whining about. 

Allow me to illustrate.

You have this really difficult term paper, or group project. Your professor or lecturer has given nothing for you to go on. Heck, you don't even know what Baye's Rule is or how to go about finding obscure LDC maps of coastal regions without being a member of some elite academic society. You complain on Facebook, then you rant to your whatsapp group of friends and complete the experience by pounding your head on the table. Everyone knows about your problems, offers you consolation (or what it seems to be consolation) and you feel better about yourself that someone has sympathies or curses the lecturer along with you. 

In short, you feel the need that you're not alone in this. Yet the issue is not about camaraderie. Take a step back and consider perhaps the purpose of the assignment is precisely to suss out between those that give up and hand in superficial projects, and those that take the initiative to make consultation appointments to clarify the finer points of the paper. I have personally met with professors who give us the most obscure of assignments to have them give me the knowing smile when I asked the right questions and take the initiative to approach them. It is naive to assume that everyone marks your paper based on what is in the paper. In their shoes, would you not be tired of seeing the same answers and responses year in year out, the struggle to award credit to students who truly have a thrist for knowledge and learning instead of the grade? It is part of the learning process and it is part of what makes me a more independent learner. How can one rant about that?

This is a personal affront. This is also a personal experience. I used to have a colleague who whines/rants/complains about my boss and all the difficult work and changeability of the environment. I was influenced by his attitude, thinking that this was the "culture" and it would be a badge of honour to bitch about the work and show others how much work you are putting in. However, all it ever achieved was to highlight your own personal incompetencies. For one, you never know who's listening to your complaints and whining undermines your position in the company. Secondly, my boss came to ask me personally why I cannot tell him straight in the face that the work he delegated to me was too much for me to bear for a young executive. Thirdly, he then questioned my aptitude AND attitude for spreading the melodrama around to other colleagues. He then pointed out another colleague who was silently bearing tasks that far surpass mine and not only just excelling, but also doing it without bringing "others down" with her. It was a lesson I will never forget.  It almost cost me my job and the damage done took months to repair.

Ranting about small problems like term papers is a habit that will lead to other larger actions which can severely cripple your career prospects. It is one thing to sound out to a close friend, and another to do so in front of a public audience - who may one day be your boss or a valuable associate. The worst part is that you might not even know you had miss opportunities because people simply avoid working with you on what might be lucrative projects due to your seemingly innocuous rants.

It's only a small task, and the one who gave you the task of all people, actually knows how it's like to be in your shoes. When we whine, we give a signal that we cannot cope with larger tasks and you'll soon find yourself devoid of opportunities because people judge you incapable. No one asks that you suffer in silence as well, there is an avenue and time to bring issues to the right people. Whining/Ranting breeds more negativity and instead of sympathy, it feeds a self-pitying and self-entitled mindset. How is that positive to what might already be a dire predicament? 

Hiatus

These couple of days I've been recuperating from a cough, a fever, menses as well as jet lag. It explains the lack of posts and I do hope to keep on writing at least for the next couple of weeks.

I'm actually easing back into action. Besides sleeping, which occupies the major part of my day, I took time (grudgingly), to direct this chamber reading (a play with script). It's called I LOVE GOD BUT I DESIRE MARRIAGE. From a writer's point of view, I have a lot of issues with the script, but I am attracted to the thematic matter as well as some of the dialogue.

It brings to mind about the confluence of religion and personal motivations, as well as the illogicality of desire and human frailty. It's not dramatic like Hamlet, but I hope in some small ways the story it tells will resonate my audience as it does in me.

I promise to write soon, especially when this wreck of a body has resumed some of it's equilibrium. MAYBE, I need to write TO restore equilibrium. For now, I'm content to be curled up with a copy of the Dresden Files, hoping to go to sleep before insanity strikes me.

Tourists, Travellers and Wanderers.

This trip has been most invigorating, in some ways, because I haven't always been able to do what I want to do. Personally, I thrive in being the most uncomfortable situations, mostly slightly toeing the line (like not paying for bus rides in both Florence and Rome*). I would very much prefer to engage in this whole romanticism, of telling my audience that I had inspiration while sitting at cafe, or gazing by the Seine. Alas, the inspiration for this post is really quite mediocre.  I was actually eating berry Tiramisu at Chez Propsper on Place de la Nation when this idea hit. The culmination of almost 16 days of traveling 3 cities perhaps formulated the real insight to this "typology", rather than informed (or "informed") academic texts.

The Tourist

Tourism is a huge economy, some cities like Florence almost entirely depend on it. Florence reminds me of the Phuket of the West - glitzy without any soul. In the same fashion, the Tourist sees what is on the map, simply going to the major galleries, taking pictures with David because one is supposed to do so, not understanding the significance of the work. One that pays big bucks for small meals, and have small hearts with big pockets. As one can already discern, such people repulse me because one goes there simply for the hype, the bang, the flash, so that they can make themselves look good when they return home. These people queue to go into the Lourve, trample all over others, talk loudly and make the worse stereotypes of their nationalities. They dislike others like them, and yet they are twins. The compare their homes to 2 effects: one to denounce their present destination, the other to glorify it. Both reactions yield an understanding that is made from the narrow world-view of their homes. Travelling to more places will not expand their minds, simply because they will always see the same thing, merely a comparison...The Tourist's journey is a trophy, one that can be encapsulated in the numerous souvenirs in their bags, the pompous fake venetian masks and the made-in-china keychains.

The Traveller

Often on a budget, off time and possibly not much funds available. The traveller is often quite well-informed and well-researched. The stereotypical image of a traveller includes well-used maps that have annotations all over, the ardent fan of "Tripadvisor" and "Lonely Planet" for restaurant recommendations and last but not least, the well-used backpack. The traveller can also be a tourist, hunting down the famous spots and do what can be called, "city-hopping". Staying long enough to savour the essentials before moving on. Going to Giolitti for Gelare in Rome, to London's famous roast duck at 4 seasons. They thrive on recommendations from forums, magazies and forums of other travellers. They might take pictures of the architecture of Notre Dame, but not necessarily join the queue to go in. There is no time, off to the next place, off to the next hideout and cafe. We must try the Macarons at Pierre Hereme and then shop at Rue Raspail....

The Wanderer

Tranistra, Bergen City, Singapore Changi Village. The off-the-beaten track, with no itinerary, often armed with a blank map and a keen eye, the wanderer seeks not to explore or to discover but simply to be. The aim is complete the moment the plane lands. The Wanderer laughs in the face of danger and bathes in the delight of the unknown. They simply want to live the moment as it comes, talk to people as approached. They could almost pass off as locals, simply walking the streets, and sitting in front of cafes smoking. They don't have a fixed must-see place simply, because they have already been, or have simply no interest to go. They seek out what makes the city alive and what makes it simultaneously mundane and exciting. They combine both the visual sense of the traveller's anticipations, and the profanity of the dweller. They do not expect and can be often surprised. Tourists ask them for directions on the streets, to which the Wanderer smiles and shrugs. There are moments that only exist in certain places, amongst certain company, with certain variables that forms a unique composition...

*My logic is really simple: If I can get away with it, the system probably deserves to fail by allowing me to get off scott free for 13 consecutive days of traveling for free by bus.

When travel is not about anticipation

There is a difference between travel and holiday. The former seeks to explore, to consciously put oneself in an uncomfortable position and aims to be inspired by "being in the moment". The latter is about a getaway, the escape from the banal realities of life, when we can eat, drink and be merry.

This December for me, is to a holiday but a travel experience. I have never been put in a position where I have to make all the ticket bookings, the accommodation arrangements, and on top of that, still plan the intinerary. So far, I have been asked by a strange for sex, almost got knocked down by cars on the tiny italian streets, and tasted weird and strange foods that turn out to be surprisingly good. I am proud to say that I've trodden in the Florentino rain for an hour, ate like a pig for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as moved like a sloth when the mood suits me.

It's often cliche, how writers and artists find inspiration when they are are 'away'. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue when one is away, because you're a tourist, a visitor (that in some places, can be unwanted). You have the benefit of insight from the outside. You are in the moment, yet you are not. It is the dialectic of being in the place, and yet not quite being IN it.

It is also about learning what we always take for granted, the public transport system, the way people order coffee at one of the many small caffes in Rome for instance. In a city, it's amazing how much we already know,  and how much cities are similar in their rhythm and pattern. We automatically know what do in a train stataion (the yellow line seems pretty universal so far) and we instinctively reach out for the red button to call for a stop at the street.

So traveling is about meeting new people, but not  always nice ones. It can be about transgressing the familiar, the known, and find out after all, you have escaped not from a place, but from yourself. We can be who we want to be in a land of strangers, knowing you have no strings attached to this place and absolutely no obligation to go back there. It is a fantasy, and yet also reality - you can be who you are without substantially being judged. Traveling is not about anticipation, it is about revelations.

Writing Anxieties

I wanted to blog about something else entirely, one that is about being critical at Critical. However, after collecting my first extended paper, the guts that spurred my motivations for the previous article deflated.

My paper was on citizenship, and call for geographers to interrogate the assumptions of their writing, and how their criticisms are "nothing new" because it falls into the pit of dualisms, making the mistake they were criticising others of making. I have longed been impatient with geography as a discipline. For one that stresses links between social facts (see Durkheim and Suicide), it fails to draw links between disciplines on a fundamental level where we take a step back and really see where our logical arguments lead us. We are content with being critical, without actually analysing what does the geist of critic really is. For me, it presents a fundamental shift, the debunking of base assumptions - the challenge for others to accept the implications of their conclusions.

The comments of the paper were fair. First and foremost, I have problems in English expressions. Secondly, I did not justify why I used certain theories (because there were too apparent to me, some times I forget to lay it out plainly to people). Thirdly, my limited language is inhibiting the full extent of my ideas.

There are a couple of things I have learnt from this paper. It is not my ideas that are problematic, it is the way it is presented. I should count myself lucky because many people with higher linguistical ability would have to work on the conception. Language is something that comes with practice and continuous editing, and with that, I hope that I can be a better writer.

Someone recently started reading this blog and was taken by how I write. I am truly flattered, and humbled at the same time that people liked to hear more of my ideas. Due to this affirmation and consequent critical response from my supervisor, I wish to improve so that I do not disappoint myself - my ideas are worth much more than the limited language abilities I am right now.

“Writing is a form of thinking. If that’s true, the advice often given to writers—first get your thought clear, and only then try to state it clearly—is wrong.”

Howard Becker Writing for Social Scientists

Often times, I do not know what to think until I start writing. I become anxious because there was this pressure to want the "perfect" idea, and ever since I found that book, it became clearer that writing itself is a continous process that does not end when the letters enter .docx. It is simply the beginning of a very long journey of discovery. I think when I write, and write to think.

I am bummed at my paper because there was pride involved. I was used to being "good" and became too comfortable at my knowledge, that I didn't think about working at my abilities. This semester, I visited the writing centre and didn't receive very constructive feedbacks - it simply affirmed what I wanted to hear. In some sick fashion, I was yearning for criticism, but on my own terms. When it was finally dished out, it hurt. I guess at this point, I comprehend now that criticism is not looking for what you already know what is wrong with yourself, but to accept that there are many other blind spots that only people who have experience can point them for you. That is why we all have supervisors to "keep us in check". Yet, I am also afraid, that I won't make it in time. Having said, that is beyond my control because if I never try, I'll never know.

Now...I guess I have to visit those Primary School English section of Popular Bookshops to refresh my grammar somewhat.