This is the post where the writer tries to convince, in writing no less, herself that there are many cogent and sound arguments against possessing an iPhone amongst an increasingly homogeneous herd.
Number one, there is a gross misalignment between my real needs and what this highly coveted gadget offers. The purchase would be uneconomical and irrational since I am not making a decision based on the intersection between my true utility and budget constraint; the latter being extremely tight, of course.
Number two, with an iPhone there are many hidden, crippling costs involved. Monthly phone bills will rise due to data plans, application and game downloads and miscellaneous aesthetic costs such as screen protectors and predictably, frequent changing of phone covers to match my over-erratic caprices.
Number three, I am incapable of smoothly operating a gadget that requires constant, nimble finger action (of course, exception applies especially after some alcohol) due to my over-enthusiastic sweat glands in the palm region. With hardworking buggers like them, it's hard for a sweaty palmed user like me to enjoy the full benefits of having an intuitive, touch-screen phone. Qwerty is still my first choice.
Number four, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Since my current mobile "ain't broke" it makes no sense at all to "fix it", or change it. In addition, there is still a good 6 months before my contract expires.
Number five, it supports and breeds demand, and thus supply, of a singular product; in other words, conformity.
Hmmm yeah, something like that... I wish I still had my old E71. The new E5 seems great, but the middle silver buttons make it look rather alien and peculiar in an unfavorable way.
``larcenciel
Music: Fever - Adam Lambert Mood: Serious
5:00 PM
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Why Is It That Whenever You Yield, I Feel Like The One Who Has Been Conquered?
Ah, the sweet reprise of pre-bedtime enjoyment comprising of historical romance novels, laden with madly handsome and obscenely rich dukes and earls coupled with (and coupling with, in all senses of the phrase) beautiful, intelligent and fiery ladies who aren't afraid to speak their minds. Throw in some English monarchy and scandalous plots and we've got the perfect brew. Clearly these novels leave less-than-positive effects on me - my writing is left in wanting.
My favorite couple has to be Victoria and Jason. He was cold, callous and unfeeling and she was everything he wasn't. She had learned love and compassion and kindness from her parents, and when news came of their sudden demise she was shattered, but not broken. By some circumstance, she was taken to London and betrothed to Jason by his uncle, who was Victoria's mother's ex-beau.
Theirs was an unfortunate union, neither desiring the other but bounded together. Both as proud as the other and as time went by, both as devoted as the other.
Historical fiction intrigues me. Did people used to fall in love like that as well? Did men really behave in all those 'gentlemanly' and suave ways to win his lady? When did marriage evolve from being a contract and union of convenience to a lifetime joining of two hearts? Did romance really happen in the past? And did romance ever happen to two men or two women? If so, how did it happen and what did they do? How did they recognize it? I doubt there were many same-sex 'information' floating around those days so how did they know they were attracted to the same sex? But it did... and if it did it must be real. Wow. It's exciting just thinking about it.
If I ever lived in those days, I would still be attracted to someone like her. Someone with boyish cute looks with a charming way with words and tune, someone who's sensitive and sweet, someone who knows how to treat a lady and be a lady herself. Someone who wants to save lives and knows how to give love with as much abandon as she accepts it in return.
Hmm... I could write my own historical romance....
``larcenciel
Music: One of Those Nights - The Cab Mood: Romantic
10:55 PM
Friday, November 12, 2010
Hello Needy Person, Would You Like This Seat?
This issue about giving up seats in trains has been on my mind lately. I guess it is reasonable to suggest that every gently-bred, civilized person will agree that giving up seats in trains to a special category of "People In Need of Seats Because of Some Ailment or Condition". If you've been taking the train as often and for rides as goddamn long as mine (2hrs a day), then you will learn that pregnant women (men not included), elderly men and women (the more white hair and the lower their back bends the better), mothers with children (especially the irritating kind) and people without two standard, usable legs (please report those with three legs and above to the Joint Counsel of Humans on Earth and Aliens on Planet Jalan Khaki), constitute this special category.
But I have a problem with this classification, especially the preggies. Perhaps unfashionable over-sized maternal-like blouses are all the rage now, but they don't give me conclusive evidence that she is pregnant and so pregnant that she warrants a seat. Most of the time these women look rather wizened as well. Then there is the extreme; women who wear breathtakingly tight fitting clothes that cling too much on their not so breathtaking bodies. So is that a tummy or a baby? I will never know, unless of course, I don't stand up and she stares me down with daggers a-shootin' at my despicable incivility and horrifying unkindness. Such tragic values that befall on the young people "nowadays", whatever that word means, she thinks. I suggest women carry signs to certify that they are truly pregnant and hence need a seat as soon as they enter the carriage, so that everyone will rush to offer their sacred seats to the Preggy-who-has-just-arrived - just like how slaves bow down to the Empress Dowager the moment she sashays into the palace. Yes, Ma'am, shall I also carry your bag and wipe your sweat and make you some coffee?
Fortunately I am much too lazy for my own good to continue being sarcastic for the next three classifications so that's it - it's just the preggies I have a problem with. Most oldies are fine - they prefer not to sit as elderly like to be independent and strong. And considering how most kids, irritating or not, like to be active as opposed to dead on a seat, they are okay as well. And finally of course we need to let those without proper use of their two walking bodily instruments sit. Asking them to stand is like asking Singaporeans for an opinion - each lacks the capability and competency for the task.
The conclusion is not that these special categories do not deserve the beautiful gift of a seat on a suffocatingly crowded MT (there is no Rapid in MRT, only Mass in Transit) especially during peak hours, but that unlike the last three categories which are easily recognizable and not as demanding, the Preggies should start wearing their "Incoming: Pregnant Woman" sign and while they're at it, why not make another jingle, "Preggy is coming, preggy is coming, taking ur seat. ding dong!".
``larcenciel
Music: Love Me - Rumble Fish Mood: Sarcastic
11:25 PM
Monday, November 01, 2010
Some Fangirlisms Never Die
Was checking out some new yaoi anime on the web and chanced upon Kuroshitsuji Sebastian's seiyu's name in it, and next to his name bore the words "Kuroshitsuji II". Season 2!! Working video links!!! Whole series is out!!! Omgggg!!! -proceeds to fangirl like there was no tomorrow- I'm at episode 4 now, I'm cherishing every moment of it... Cos it all really ends this season. Of course, Kuroshitsuji is not a yaoi nor shounen-ai, but CielXSeb is just drippin' and beggin' for some BL action. I've read the ending already. Although in my ideal story, Seb would not devour Ciel's soul because of erm, love, but having Ciel turn into a demon so Seb would have to serve Ciel as his butler forever in some netherworld where they can both be together eternally doesn't seem like such a bad ending too.
It's too strange to imagine any sort of romance between both of them anyways. They are too dark and twisted and sexy for fluffy, cutesy bunny-hoppin' lurrvee.
SebXCiel forever.
Btw, isn't this rather reminiscent of Glam Nation style? Clearly, my loves are predictable...