maad

Had wanted to visit the red dot museum since it opened some time ago. Managed to drag two other friends along to do so last Sunday, on which some flea market thing - maad- was happening.

The first gallery of the museum was pretty impressive, ambiance and all. They had these computer panels which were flashing photos of the red dot award winners. It didn't take me long to realise some of the photos there were of seniors from school. To see their faces captured in some artistic angle and flashed on the computer screens like celebrity designers is pretty intimidating. The thought that I am that near to finishing my design education is a daunting one.

The second, and final, section of the museum was pretty much enclaves with products decked inside. We finished the entire place, maad included, within an hour.

I had earlier did some research and thought visitors needed to pay to enter. We didn't that day, and thought perhaps it was free in conjunction with maad. But if someone said we hadn't entered the section where we're supposed to pay for, and had just loitered around the free displays, I would have believed him.

LOTR

Was watching the first half of 'Return of the King' showing on TV, and was reminded of how captivated I once was of the movie trilogy, and subsequently, the written classic. I probably took an entire year to finish reading the trilogy - in between regimental duties and training sessions, I would whip out the ridiculously thick book while in-camp to get lost in the very magical middle earth. That was 3 years ago.

The story captivated me on several ends. For one, the movies provided vivid imageries from which I could dream and imagine upon while digesting the book - a convenient escape from the monotonies of regimental life. For another, I was inspired by the internal struggles of individuals so well-described by Tolkien. How Frodo has to grapple with his internal desires to keep the ring and his promises to the fellowship and himself. And how Smeagle is almost split into two identities, fighting from within.

I heard somewhere that the worst battles one can fight everyday is from within, the moment we wake up. And I believe that.