Is empathy a gift? Or is it a curse?

I’ve always thought that being able to connect with people was a gift, a gift that everybody would at least have. I thought that people, when they’ve matured to a certain level, would be able to see the emotions on another’s face and would understand.

But I was wrong. Empathy IS a gift. And not everybody has it.

I’ve been there for friends, listened and helped. I tried to be there, even in times when I couldn’t. But at the midst of caring for others and listening to others, have I forgotten something?

Perhaps I’ve left myself behind?

There used to be people who would sit down and listen, and there used to be those whom I knew would be there for me. But now I’m not so sure anymore. I could put away my troubles and tend to the problems of others. That perhaps I must accept is a rare gift that not many would have. And I have to make peace with the fact that I shouldn’t be looking for something like that.

We’re so consumed by our own world sometimes that we forget that there’s a bigger one out there. And when we bury ourselves in sorrow and self-pity, we forget that there are other venues that could use that effort of self-pity. Had we spent less time crying and more time caring, the world would be a better place, won’t it? But that was not to be. The world is inherently sorrowful because empathy is a gift. And a rare one at that. And the ability to put others before oneself, is an extinct gene, weeded out by the needs of a selfish community.

I hope I turn into Peter Petrelli.

I’ve been watching Ghost Whisperer for a couple of days now and I’m always annoyed when Melinda tries to tell the person in the movie about what the ghost said to her. I’m annoyed that she always shortens the original, super contracting it. For example:

Ghost: “Everytime I look at you I remember the times we held our hands and looked at the stars, the warmth of your hug and every word you whisper into my ears, and it breaks my heart to see you cry. I love you, so much, honey, so much.”

Melinda: “He says he loves you.”

Ghost: “…”

If I’m the ghost I’d be WTF!!! We’re not writing a summary or something now, are we?

Grr!

I went to Bata in Klang Parade and found a shameless fake of the Adidas Goodyear shoes that I’m wearing. My shoes costs RM280 (from Langkawi) while this fake costs RM65 only. Kanasai. Now I understand how software companies feel when their software are sold in Low Yat as pirated DVDs.

Top View

Rear view. Notice the absense of carbon fibre on the lower panel.

Totally the same. I wonder if they have the same traction though…

Side view. The only view with “some” difference. One extra bar and missing the three ventilation holes in the sole.

Piracy FTW!!!

Seems like nowadays being a prime minister is a risky business.

I recently read a post by Adam Khoo and I felt ashamed. This bloody bugger saves 80% of his income while I’m barely even saving 10%!

Ok my target? Save 80% of my income next month. See if that’s possible.

Or failing that, maybe I can start mastering the art of escalator spinning.

After a couple days of picture quickies, it’s time to get back to some serious writing. As in the writer is very serious. Anyway, today, Prof. Tan will talk about a very prominent syndrome in girls nowadays called the Ugly Duckling Syndrome.

First, a disclaimer. On second thought, fuck that. Click on the link below to start reading my teeh-shits.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hey if the government can recycle a sodomy charge, so can I right? I’ll recycle an old picture then:

Haiih-YEAH! Don’t pray pray Najis! I’m not afraid of C4!

I hope my post did not insult Islam or the Prophet. Or the national anthem. Or the nation flag. Or ask mosques to stop their azan calls.

Please don’t ISA me

I came across a ridiculously funny screenshot in Oblivion: Shivering Isles. This shows everything that is wrong with the game industry nowadays: TOO. MUCH. BLOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You mean you, Mr. Lightbulb? And thanks for searing my retinas too.

I hate dating programs. Especially Sparkey.

This is what you’ll get if you combine lack of sleep with a BBQ party.