I hang out with a group of early-secondary school friends, we lost touch in our JC and Uni years, but I like to think I got the group together because I made contact with 3 of them. However, I have a bone to pick with an opinionated bigot.
Fine, I can deal with her biased comments, her judgments, and her assumptions about me which were formed in secondary school and which obviously have remained with her to this day.
However, the last straw came when her sister accused me of something which I didn't do, and my friend obviously believed her, because she thinks I am 'calculative'.
It's sad when friendships have to end, and I know that the other girls in the group are disappointed because group dynamics are disrupted but I really don't know what to do when I'm told to try. As in try to make her like me?? ER yeah hullo, but friendships start because you accept your friend as they really are RIGHT?
And with another friend, part of the later-secondary school friend group, we have like this major misunderstanding of the century. All caused by one person's broken telephone message, which finally blew up into something unrecognizable.
SIGH.
I can't think of any way to solve these niggling problems, but my innate feeling is, relationships take time to heal, take time to develop, what's yours is yours, and if you don't treasure it, it will be gone. There, I've done it. Spilled my guts out and combined 4 cliches in one sentence. Which is the bigger sin, I wonder...
- Mood:
pissed off - Music:Manic Street Preachers - Everything must go
Perhaps, you could say that it's actually quite heartening to see someone defend his work, almost to the death, for such anger can only result in high blood pressure, hypertension, and a whole slew of other life-threatening diseases I can only imagine.
His letters to sub-editors reproduced here in verbatim for all to read and enjoy. :)
Taster and restaurant critic, Giles Coren. Photograph: Linda Nylind
Copyright of The Times
To: the Times subeditors
From: Coren, Giles
Chaps,
I am mightily pissed off ... I don't really like people tinkering with my copy for the sake of tinkering. I do not enjoy the suggestion that you have a better ear or eye for how I want my words to read than I do ... It was the final sentence. Final sentences are very, very important. A piece builds to them, they are the little jingle that the reader takes with him into the weekend.
I wrote: "I can't think of a nicer place to sit this spring over a glass of rosé and watch the boys and girls in the street outside smiling gaily to each other, and wondering where to go for a nosh." It appeared as: "I can't think of a nicer place to sit this spring over a glass of rosé and watch the boys and girls in the street outside smiling gaily to each other, and wondering where to go for nosh."
There is no length issue. This is someone thinking, "I'll just remove this indefinite article because Coren is an illiterate cunt and i know best."
Well, you fucking don't. This was shit, shit subediting for three reasons.
1) "Nosh", as I'm sure you fluent Yiddish speakers know, is a noun formed from a bastardisation of the German "naschen". It is a verb, and can be construed into two distinct nouns. One, "nosh" means simply "food". You have decided that this is what i meant and removed the "a". I am insulted enough that you think you have a better ear for English than me. But a better ear for Yiddish? I doubt it. Because the other noun, "nosh" means "a session of eating" ...
2) I will now explain why your error is even more shit than it looks. You see, i was making a joke. I do that sometimes. I have set up the street as "sexually charged". I have described the shenanigans across the road at G.A.Y. I have used the word "gaily" as a gentle nudge. And "looking for a nosh" has a secondary meaning of looking for a blowjob. Not specifically gay, for this is soho, and there are plenty of girls there who take money for noshing boys. "looking for nosh" does not have that ambiguity. the joke is gone. I only wrote that sodding paragraph to make that joke. And you've fucking stripped it out like a pissed Irish plasterer restoring a renaissance fresco and thinking jesus looks shit with a bear so plastering over it. You might as well have removed the whole paragraph. I mean, fucking christ, don't you read the copy?
3) And worst of all. Dumbest, deafest, shittest of all, you have removed the unstressed "a" so that the stress that should have fallen on "nosh" is lost, and my piece ends on an unstressed syllable. When you're winding up a piece of prose, metre is crucial. Can't you hear? Can't you hear that it is wrong? It's not fucking rocket science. It's fucking pre-GCSE scansion. I have written 350 restaurant reviews for The Times and i have never ended on an unstressed syllable. Fuck. fuck, fuck, fuck.
I am sorry if this looks petty (last time i mailed a Times sub about the change of a single word i got in all sorts of trouble) but i care deeply about my work and i hate to have it fucked up by shit subbing ... And, just out of interest, I'd like whoever made that change to email me and tell me why. Tell me the exact reasoning which led you to remove that word from my copy.
Right, Sorry to go on. Anger, real steaming fucking anger can make a man verbose.
All the best
Giles
To: the Times subeditors
From: Coren, Giles
Sent: August 10 2002 16.41
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. how fucking difficult is that? it's the sentence that bestrides the fucking book i reviewed for you. it is the sentence i wrote first in my fucking review. it is 35 fucking letters long, which is why i wrote that it was. and so some useless cunt subeditor decides to change it to "jumps over A lazy dog" can you fucking count? can you see that that makes it a 33 letter sentence? so it looks as if i can't count, and the cunting author of the book, poor mr dunn, cannot count. the whole bastard book turns on the sentence being as i fucking wrote it. and that it is exactly 33 letters long. why do you meddle. what do you think you achieve with that kind of dumb-witted smart-arsery? why do you change things you do not understand without consulting. why do you believe you know best when you know fuck all. jack shit.
that is as bad as editing can be. fuck, i hope you're proud. it will be small relief for the author that nobody reads your poxy magazine.
never ever ask me to write something for you. and don't pay me. i'd rather take £400 quid for assassinating a crack whore's only child in a revenge killing for a busted drug deal - my integrity would be less compromised.
jesus fucking wept i don't know what else to say.
To: the London Paper's restaurant critic
From: Coren, Giles
Sent: 09 July 2008 23:06
feargus,
I'm emailing to say that your review of osteria emilia, in most ways perfectly fine and good and spot on, pissed me off. i booked, as ever, under a pseudonym, that over made up italian bird did not have a fucking clue who i was (or even who baddiel was, who i ate with because he lives, like me, round the corner). Nor were there any kitchen staff peeking out of any porthole. i appreciate that you have to keep your column as lively as possible - and name dropping david i guess might be exciting for your readers (i'll certainly be doing it in my column) - but in your froth to show how folksy and incognito you are, you did your readers and the restaurant an immense disservice: you suggested that i got some special dispensation in eating a la carte. But if you'd spent a bit more time looking at your lunch menu, and a bit less gawping at me, you'd have noticed that it said, "dishes from the evening a la carte menu are available at lunchtime, with some exceptions".
You said "i didn't have the brass neck to demand anything off the unavailable a la carte". it makes you sound like an utter tit. you are not only a chippy fuck but a lazy journalist. 'brass neck'. learn to write, and take your head out of your arse, you fucking twat.
all the best
· These are abridged - but not subedited - versions of the original emails.
- Mood:
amused - Music:Electrico
She moved BACK.
- Music:Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings
Amazingly, the video sums up quite alot of the relationship I have with my sis. :)
I have always wanted to blog about this issue for the longest time and watching this video finally gave me the push.
My sister and I have always been at loggerheads from the start. She being the extremely cute one, me being the chatterbox (WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER!).
However, as we grew older and had many misunderstandings, the rift between us just grew wider. Of course, in the past, whenever we didn't meet for long periods of time, we could have really long and deep conversations.
But now, due to my unacceptance of changes and her defensiveness plus a WHOLE LOAD of past sensitivities, we haven't talked for about a year. And because I couldn't stand it, I confronted her about it and she has finally done it. MOVED OUT.
I don't know what to say or do, and it seems I have no choice in this matter but to accept it.
And perhaps let breathing dragons lie.
- Mood:
sad
My impression of him? His stories are made up of simple prose that probe many deep-rooted feelings which we try to ignore, or battle on a daily basis. Fear of loss, unrequited love, burgeoning sexuality, these were what I encountered upon my first read of his books, Norwegian Wood.
However, I want to read more uplifting stories. All those feelings of resignation, "let things be", and almost hopelessness can really affect me especially when I am going through a trough day.
Here's an excerpt to how melancholic he can be.
Haruki Murakami, Fiction, "A Shinagawa Monkey," The New Yorker, February 13, 2006
Short story about a woman named Mizuki who forgets her name because a monkey has stolen it... Mizuki sometimes had trouble remembering her name. She’d been married a few years when her name started to slip away from her. One day she came across an ad for a counseling center offering private sessions at a reduced rate... Mizuki told her story to the counselor, Tetsukao Sakai. She’d grown up in an ordinary family. her mother was a bit of a nag. She’d gone away to a boarding school. Nothing dramatic had touched her life. After several incidents, the counselor asked if she remembered any incidents involving names and Mizuki recalled the use of name tags at the boarding school she attended. On October, a girl named Yuko, one of the prettiest, most accomplished students in the school came to see her. Yuko asked Mizuki if she had ever felt jealous. Mizuki couldn’t think of any instances, and didn’t see how Yuko could be jealous of anyone. Yuko explained, “Jealousy is like a tumor growing inside you. There’s nothing you can do to stop it.” Yuko said she was going home for a funeral and asked if Mizuki would look after her name tag. “I don’t want a monkey running off with it.” Yuko didn’t come back. They found her body a week later. She had slit her wrists... Mizuki looked for the name tags, which she had kept, but they were gone... After the ninth session, Mrs. Sakaki said, “If things go as planned I should be able to determine a definite cause, and even show it to you... The following week, Mrs. Sakaki took something out of her purse. It was the two nametags from school. “These were stolen from you. That’s why you had trouble remembering your name. She took Mizuki to the basement, where her husband and another man waited. In a small storage room there was a chair on which a monkey was sitting. “I’m very sorry,” the monkey said. “I take people’s names. It’s a sickness.” He’d tried to steal Yuko’s name and had traced it to Mizuki. Mr. Sakaki thought the monkey should be killed, but the monkey pleaded, saying that, by taking Mizuki’s name, he had also taken certain dark aspects of her personality away. Had he been able to take Yuko’s name in tme, she might not have killed herself...
Not exactly a boost of positivity yeah? I guess I will still read his works, but always, have a reality check on my own emotions.
- Location:Home
- Mood:
awake - Music:Sigur Ros
This was supposedly penned by someone at Bear, which has been hogging the headlines recently for its most dramatic landslide.
SING TO THE TUNE OF 'BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY' BY QUEEN
Is this the real price?
Is this just fantasy?
Financial landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes
And look at your buys and see.
I'm now a poor boy (poor boy)
High-yielding casualty
Because I bought it high, watched it blow
Rating high, value low
Any way the Fed goes
Doesn't really matter to me, to me
Mama - just killed my fund
Quoted CDO's instead
Pulled the trigger, now it's dead
Mama - I had just begun
These CDO's have blown it all away
Mama - oooh-hoo-ooo
I still wanna buy
I sometimes wish I'd never left Goldman at all.
(guitar solo)
~~~
I see a little silhouette of a Fed
Bernanke! Bernanke! Can you save the whole market?
Monolines and munis - very very frightening me!
Super senior, super senior
Super senior CDO - magnifico
I'm long of subprime, nobody loves me
He's long of subprime CDO fantasy
Spare the margin call you monstrous PB!
Easy come easy go, will you let me go?
Peloton! No - we will not let you go - let him go
Peloton! We will not let you go
(let him go !)
Peloton! We will not let you go - let me go
Will not let you go
let me go (never) Never let you go - let me go Never let me go – ooo
No, no, no, no, No, NO, NO ! -
Oh mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go
S&P had the devil put aside
for me
For me, for me, for me
~~~
So you think you can fund me and spit in my eye?
And then margin call me and leave me to die Oh PB - can't do this to me
Just gotta get out - just gotta get right outta here
Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
No price really matters
No liquidity
Nothing really matters - no price really matters to me
Any way the Fed goes.....
- Location:Office
- Music:Massive Attack
Its been good. :)
Perhaps my previous work experiences were far from my expectations, perhaps I had less emotional control then, perhaps the pay wasn't ideal (isn't that a common gripe anyway), but so far so good. :D
I'm still getting used to the hours, and I also realized, getting to sleep at the right time, ie 2am, takes a certain amount of discipline. So does keeping appointments on time.
If you've not already noticed, XXXXX XX joined us almost two weeks ago, as a sub. Her last stop was ST Infocomm. She plays the piano and computer games. XXXXX, a Civil Engineer by training, hopes to stay. Welcome, welcome ..... ....
HAHAHAHA.......
I guess she wrote that because as the conv goes:
She: "This is your 1st job right?"
Me: "No, my 4th."
(Look of surprise): "your 4th! U plan to stay?!"
Me: "Yes, of course!"
When the email came out, I spent the 1st few mins laughing at my desk, then moved to the pantry to continue since I sit quite near her.
- Location:Office
- Mood: calm
And that's not counting the wedding I attended in January this year, or the promise I made last year to be a "jiemei" (chinese for bridesmaid) for this year in March.
The realization just hit home that I will be busy with weddings till May. Well on the plus side, it does give me occasion to wear nice dresses and doll up. But I am scared. If I lose my friends to the other side, I will be hanging around mostly couples.
Sigh..... the impending loneliness...
My New Year Resolution:
Must come up with more interesting posts.
Hee....
Whining aside, I have been having Amy Winehouse on replay at my computer. Angsty, rhythmic, big beats, and all written originally. On top of that, her strong and clear voice knocks the wind out of you and makes you reminisce about what's past. She really deserved her Grammy win. I feel my description of her music isn't doing her enough justice so please check her out on this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aygAu1x2
Hopefully interesting post over and out. :)
- Mood: hungry
- Music:Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
I spent New Year’s Eve in A Roomful Of Blues listening to familiar favourites, shouting along to 4 Non Blondes ‘What’s up’ and getting to know my friends better. What more could I ask for anyway?
To usher in all that is new, fine and dandy, I feel it is only appropriate I give 2007 a recapitulation, which is apt, considering the unexpected grand finale that was New Year’s Eve.
A meme to wrap up 2007 :)
1) Where did you ring in 2007?
In the Singapore Art Museum with Justy and her hubby, and Alan and Iris, another happily married couple.
2) What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Job-hunter.
3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
No.
4) How did you earn your keep?
I work as a writer for the government. Haha….
5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Yes, when my colleague gave birth.
6) Did you encounter the police?
Not directly.
7) Where did you go on vacation?
This is something I hope to change soon… I only went to Rawa.
8) What did you purchase that was over $500?
Do things above $400 count? My CPU, my mattress
Oh and my PIANO!
9) Did you know anybody who got married?
I attended 5 weddings. And some I didn’t
10) Do you know anybody who passed away?
A friend’s friend.
11) Have you run into anybody you graduated high school with?
Lots. One example: My sec school classmate, Faye Wong (I kid you not), mistakenly called me on a Friday night looking for her colleague with the same name as me. On Saturday afternoon, as I was wandering Far East Plaza, I bumped into her. Without missing a beat, she exclaimed “You are late! I called you yesterday reminding you to be on time didn’t I?”
12) Did you move anywhere?
I moved cubicles at work.
13) What sporting events did you go to?
Shape Run
Great Eastern Women Run
14) What concerts did you go to?
Sa Chen concert
Japanese electronica concert
NUS YST Piano concert
17) Where do you live now?
Singapore
18) Describe your birthday.
Spent it at La Trattoria Lafiandra (It’s at Prinsep Street) eating crepes with Shir and Trish.
19) What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2007?
Take up dance lessons.
20) What is one thing you regretted this year?
Not controlling my temper. Thinking through decisions.
21) What's something you learned about yourself?
Don’t laugh but I am actually quite shy… I said don’t laugh!
22) Any new additions to your family?
Hmmm….
23) What was your best month?
None actually. All were pretty survivable.
24) What from pop culture will you remember 2007 by?
Poor Britney.
25) How would you rate this year with a scale from 1 (shitty) to 10 (excellent)?
6
To the people who used this meme, if you think I stole this meme off you, you are definitely right. Contact me to get your royalty fee yeah….
- Music:Creedence Clearwater - Have you ever seen the rain
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