2008

A dear friend of mine sent me this sms on this New Year's Eve:

"Life never seems to be the way we want it, but we LIVE it the best way we can. There is no perfect life, but we CAN fill it with perfect moments..."

Brilliant! What a great way to think about the year past and look forward to the year ahead. Here I go again "waxing" philosophical, but I'm allowed, it's New Year's Eve!
Take a look at this picture:



That is the Mirror of Erised from Harry Potter.
Inscribed on the mirror is:
"erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi"
and as Dumbledore explained, the Mirror "shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts... the mirror gives neither knowledge nor truth and men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they see."

Ok, so it's a fantasy children's story, but let's think about that for a minute.
Men have wasted away looking in the mirror, entranced by what they see.
We spend a great deal of time "looking back", Looking in the mirror, wishing for things that cannot be or cannot be changed.

To get back to that quote about a perfect life, It is true. Life never seems to JUST the way we want it, but instead of looking back and longing for things the way they might have been, look ahead, see through the looking glass to the future. Live your life for those perfect moments. make those moments perfect for YOU. They won't seem perfect to everyone, but if they are perfect for you, that's all that counts.

As I'm writing this, 2008 is just hours away from being done. If I can break my own thought and rule here, looking back, it has been an interesting year.
I have had the absolute worst time of my life for reasons I won't bore you with now, and some of the absolute best times, 'perfect' times. In the end, they all balance out.
I've made new friends that I can only hope will last a lifetime. I have lost friends that I miss every day. I have spent a wonderful year rediscovering just how much I love my partner- Ahmad, and just how much he means to me.
I've created some great works, and some pieces of crap too!
And so, that's it. I'm closing the door on 2008.
I've read the last chapter, enjoyed the story and I am looking forward to beginning a new book titled "2009".
Don't waste away looking in that mirror. Don't worry that you don't have the "perfect" life. Make those perfect moments, and look ahead. There is so much yet to appear...

"And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gie's a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
For auld lang syne."

Happy New Year my friends!

Blue Tailed Bee Eater

What a great name, huh?!

I knew that would get your attention!

Ok, now to start, I'm NOT a bird-watching geek.
No offense to bird watchers, but come on, let's be honest. Most people don't put bird watching way up on their list of things to do. It's a niche market and the public in general think of bird watchers as geeks. Ok? There I said what you were thinking!
(I have a habit of doing that)
That having been said, I spend a lot of useless time out on my back balcony, which overlooks a row of trees, which does a very bad job of hiding the LRT (Light Rail Transit) tracks. Try living next to an LRT track. You DO eventually get used to the noise, but it IS a pain in the ass. In fact I'm ALMOST at the point where I've had enough and thinking about moving. I was out in O.U.G. (Overseas Union Garden) the other night with my Significant Other having dinner at Steven's Corner and the ONE thing I noticed, besides how good the Tandoori Chicken and Garlic Cheese Nan was, is the quiet! No city noise, no LRT...

Ok, back to the bird watching.
This morning I had again noticed a bird which I'd seen for the last few days. It was beautiful. Greens, blues, almost iridescent... Now we have the usual variety of city birds here: pigeons, crows, morning doves, a few sparrows, and in the evening, catching flying bugs-Swallows. But this morning I saw a gorgeous green and blue colored small bird which, when it flew looked like the coloring of a parrot, although much much smaller.
So, Jay did what he always does when something interests him and he doesn't know much about it. "Googled" it.
Turns out, it's a bird with the coolest name!
A Blue Tailed Bee Eater!
Ha! I love that!
Here's a picture I stole from Nelson Khor's website. He's one of those geeky bird watchers, but with all due respect, he has some beautiful photos of birds!

Turns out the Blue-tailed Bee-eater, (Merops philippinus) eats... no surprize... BEES!
Well, insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets. It catches them mostly in the air and then, because it has a long slender beak, can keep the stingers away until it gets to a spot where it SLAMS the bee into the ground and kills it!

Damned violent, huh?
One down side is, it also east Dragonflys.


I LOVE Dragonflys. They are one of my most favorite things about life on earth. But hey... everyone's gotta eat, right?






Ok, I've gotten little carried away with the info on a bird here. But look it up, it's a cool bird, and a really beautiful one!
From what I read I can't think of a single reason why it'd be around here. It is native to South East Asia, but it nests in spots nowhere like the place I stay.
Guess I'll just be grateful while it's around and enjoy the view.
Stop and look around. Take a moment. You'll be surprised what you'll see.
Just a thought...

Pickles - Cucumbers soaked in evil !!

Why do the smallest things make me smile?




Today I met someone, well ok, haven't actually met in person, but met "cyber-ly" who's nickname was the greatest, most memorable name I have heard in long time.

His name is "Pickles".

See...? You're smiling aren't you?


Now, before anyone starts screaming "What are you doing online meeting people?!" You already HAVE someone in your life.
Relax Martha! It's ok and besides, although I haven't written about HIM much around these parts, it's because he's not really sure he wants to BE written about.
Trust me, I got da pictures and the stuff TO write about. but as I've always said, I totally respect someone's privacy and MOST especially his!
In fact, I'm not putting anything more than this new friends nickname here in this chapter, so you won't REALLY know who he is!
Ok, enough.... back to "Pickles"...

You know how some people just "click" with you. Some people are an instant warning buzzer, and some you couldn't care one way or the other.
Since I'm in television, titles are a real eye-catcher for me. And I also know how important they can be to the success or failure of a program or film.
Trust me, if you knew just how much research goes into creating titles of movies and tv shows, you'd be amazed!

Let that be a lesson to you when you're choosing a screen name in your favorite chat room!
I would advise again using things like Fatty300 or NeverShowers1234, you get the idea. Then again, MY screen name makes everyone think I'm a total SLUT. (I'm NOT!) But... it's all about the marketing! And NO... I will not tell you what my screen name is there. But I'm sure you can find me!
I spoke to "Pickles" and he said I was "funny"! Hmmm. I normally take that as a compliment, so I guess I will this time too.
I'm not sure how he felt, but I felt like I have made a friend. We just seemed to click. I'm not implying ANYTHING here. Hear me? ANYTHING. But in spite of the fact that 99.9% of people on THOSE sites are just looking for the next quick thing. Some people actually DO make friends there, and what is wrong with that?
(Can I hear an "Amen!"?)
So, Pickles. Great name and great marketing. It caught MY attention.
Now, we just gotta work on those pictures in your profile! ha!

Oh, by the way. I have found some VERY old pictures of me from a VERY long time ago. Like when I was 10. (did I hear someone say... 'they had cameras THAT long ago?'!)
Smart-ass!
Yes, we did. I'll try and get them uploaded to my photos pages sometime this weekend.

This Christmas...

Why is it, always at this time year I get so damned sentimental?!
I'm doing a bit of goofing off in my office. Christmas eve and all and really don't feel much like working.
I'm not Christian, but was certainly raised that way. I had the usual American upbringing. My mom was a real FREAK about Christmas. She would bake for weeks before hand and as a child our Christmas was usually incredible. Even in hard times, and we weren't terribly privileged as kids, my parents always found a way to make our Christmas special. Even now, so many years later, I still remember most of my younger Christmas days.
SO, having said that, I guess it's the memories mostly. I have had and also created some of the most amazing Christmases in the past.
Nowadays, I don't really celebrate it much. It's a nice time away from work and I try and relax a bit, but the holiday just doesn't mean much anymore to me. Maybe that's the problem, I miss it MEANING something!
I always... ALWAYS reflect back during this time of year, and I usually manage to depress myself doing it. Like now...

I have said it again and again and I'll say it now...
NO REGRETS
That's the philosophy I live my life by.
If I had the chance to do things again, would I do things any differently? Hmmm, Maybe. But I do NOT regret ANY part of my life. It has always been and continues to be the most amazing ride.
I think about people mostly this time of year. I wonder why some of them are no longer a part of my life. I wonder if they are doing well. I hope for them the best and that they are seeing their dreams come true.
I am grateful for having known them and for their friendship and love.
They are never far away, because I hold them in my heart.
I miss them badly, and while I have the most incredible life now with someone I love very much, I also wish people wouldn't move so far away, and the time existed to spend more with friends that are distant.
I say it every year, and it never happens. I will try and spend more time being a friend and more time with my friends. Reconnecting.

I have not written much about my current life yet, but it is soon to come.
As in my old blog, I promised to write about my life as it happens and be as honest as I can.
There is a whole "other" side of Jay to get to know and you will.
So, for the old friends who have found me again after all these years... welcome back. To my new friends, hang on, the ride is just beginning.

As this year comes to a close, it has been truly the best of times and the absolute worst of times for me. This year, more than ever, ever, ever... I wish for you, all that you dream. I wish for me, time and peace and reunions.
To Ahmad, thank you for being there. Thank you for loving me so much, as I love you.
And to you, the casual reader, follow your dreams and find your experiences.

Do the best you can with the light you have to guide you...


Jay


Okay, now that I've gone all sentimental on your ass, here's one final thing this holiday season.
The funniest youtube I've seen in a while.
I LOVE this kind of creative, outside the box thinking:

Answer the damned phone!!!

Ok, here we go....
Now maybe it's because I'm from some different era, or maybe it's just me, but I have this philosophy about phones which MOST people I explain it to, completely disagree.
In MY opinion... a ringing phone does NOT mean it MUST be answered.
We live in a day when almost everyone has a phone stuck to their hip 24 hours a day. For my international readers, here in South East Asia it's like the plague! Kids have them, grandma and grandpas have them. A lot of people have more than one!
And yes, I've had one since way back when it was a HUGE bag phone that weighed 300 pounds! The handpiece was attached to the base by a twistie cord like your house phone! THAT'S how freakin' old I am! By the way, I just upgraded. I gave up my beloved Motorola V3i for a new iphone, so I HAVE kept up with the times!
But... having said that, my feelings for the phone apparently, are completely different from most people's.
Now let me qualify what I'm about to say that when I'm at work, and it's a business call, I take it.
But, if I'm home, on my own time and someone calls me, WHY do I HAVE to answer the phone if I don't feel like talking to anyone? What obligation am I under to answer the damned phone.
That's how I feel. I do mostly answer it, but if I'm just not in the mood, I don't... and I don't feel bad about it either!
I will probably call you back, later.
Maybe it's just asian culture, but here nearly everyone can NOT let an unanswered phone go on ringing. It's like a freakin' obsession. It's like needing that next crack fix.
PHONE'S RINGING!!! GET IT!!!!
Wanna know something else weird? No one leaves voicemail! I get missed calls, but I hardly ever get voicemails. If I don't answer, leave a damned message! If it's THAT important, I'll call you back.
Ok, now this is funny... just now, as I'm writing that last sentence, my "signifigant other" called me! Did I answer...? Bet your ass I did! I said I don't HAVE to answer, but I'm not stupid! haha!
Anyway, what started me on this rampage?
This morning as I'm sitting on my balcony in my underwear having my morning coffee and cigarette, I saw something that struck me as completely absurd.
Behind my block at my condo is a small Chinese Buddhist temple. I believe they call them "Dato temples" Here's a picture above of what they look like, although designs vary.




Okay, so back to this morning. I look down and some woman, mid 30's is there praying.
She has her incense (about 6 sticks) in her hands and it's lit and smoking. Also in her hands, clasped in front of her, is her handphone.
Not that THAT wasn't enough (Jeez lady, could ya put the damned thing down for a few minutes while you pray!?) but then as she's praying, you guessed it... the phone rang.
She STOPS praying, incense still smoking away and puts the Gods on "hold" and ANSWERS the damned phone!!!
You gotta be kidding me! Ya couldn't wait a few minutes? Call them back or something?!
Why do we have to live in an era in which this little electronic device controls our lives so much.
Look people, I don't care WHO is calling. I don't care WHAT you want. If I'm in the middle of something like praying, I am NOT answering my phone! Let's not even TALK about being in the middle of SOMETHING ELSE! (If you know what I mean!) My phone goes on "silent"!
Give me a break.
I hope the Gods decided that whatever she was praying for wasn't all that important.
Or maybe as they were listening to her prayer, THEY got a call and were distracted! ha!

So, go ahead, give me a call. If I'm not busy, I'll probably answer. But... you've been warned!

Just a thought...

...and so this is Christmas

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

...John Lennon

Back again!

I'm coming back. Yuppers, in spite of several hundreds of thousands of protests and threats, I'm working on the NEW and only slightly improved, JAY SHELDON DOT FREAKIN COM!
Stay tuned! I'm so excited, I'm leaking....
Ewwww, that's kind gross now that I wrote it....
You'll get over it.