Past. Present. Future: November 2008

Past. Present. Future

Sunday, November 30, 2008

recession, recounts, reflection

after a month of isolation from the world in some forsaken corner down under, i’ve come home to find out that the world’s financial situation is still in a mess, almost all under-developed government institutions have declared themselves bankrupt (or r going to do so) and bangkok’s still one big messy capital. not to mention the recent mubai terrorist case. things don’t look too rosy for this sunny island too; retrenchment, recession, and for me, reflection.

the world in turmoil. made me come to wish that a month of ignorance truly was some kind of bliss.

but thats for world leaders to worry about, i guess. all i can do is just read about them in the papers. life currently, has been too good to me. i wake up everyday with no responsibilities, no commitments, no stress, no jeeps to worry about, and no one to talk to if i didn’t feel like talking.

yup sums it up, the void that was once army is Boring with a capital b. its even harder to find inspiration in the void. i’ve not even drawn or painted anything proper in the 2 free weeks i had since i was back.

had this crazy idea to do a huge canvas in the great artistic tradition of the great masters; you know the kind with those huge figures that overwhelm you with their size and impeccable technique... to tell you the truth, it has been hard to come up with just one idea. its a dry spell for me. i want it to be my ord painting. something about my army experience. doesn’t help that the figures and objects i need to get into my painting are so-called forbidden images from camp and outfield trainings.

i just had to base my inspiration on my W images, which, though great as they may seem, don’t really allow me alot of room for freedom. figures, this happens to everything army-related. anyway, whenever i want to explore a new figure position, and if i’ve not already taken a picture of it in W, its another idea thrown out of the window. cos i need a reference picture for everything i’m going to paint, if i want it to turn up realistic. relying on imagination to conjure up details is something i try not to go into. proportions and minute details always end up looking funny.

anyway to kill boredom, i’ve just completed 2 entire seasons of Friends on rented dvd. (can u believe the time i have on my hands?!) its an addictive watch, i tell you. and it keeps the endorphins coming.

anyway, for the record, my birthday celebration with my army buddies was simple but memorable. touched. it really meant alot. and nov 22’s celebration at morton’s cum supper at joo chiat was also a turning point; in my relationship with god bro. n it made my godma so happy on her birthday.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Queensland 08

It feels so good to be back again. I can finally sweat normally again. I trod on parquet, not dust and sand. I need not cringe at the smell when i go to the toilet. N thanks to air-con, I have more control over my surrounding temperature. Touching down at Changi Airport felt indescribable. It was a moment to celebrate, a moment we all waited for the day we took off for Rockhampton.

If anyone were to ask me how was W, I would summarize it in a word. Anesthetic. It was a life of a full-time soldier. A time when you were free when they said you were free, and a time for endless stores and responsibilities. A month of eternal outifeld.

Some drawings I did throughout my stay. It was a challenge to feel inspired. To see beauty in the things I saw and the things I did.

W began with a sense of achievement in the advance party. I had single-handedly took over all 8 recce jeeps and their stores. It was rare that you did something on your own in the army. It was an important responsibility, n with that importance, the independence to eat better food in camp growl and get out of camp as much as you wanted. The MT line was surprisingly efficient and friendly. It was the biggest obstacle crossed out. It made my job so much easier. I am extremely grateful for that.

The canteen food was very good, but expensive.

Staff Koh, the wonderful MT line vehicle IC.

The buildup to ATEC was pretty intense. The scouts had high expectations and we were pretty busy. For the drivers, a relaxing ATEC was compensated with additional outfields during Exercise Orion. It was then that we coined the term, “the plan is that there is no plan!”. The live-firing at the end of it however was a blessing. I had the rare privilege of observing from a very close distance, the howitzers and mortars do their live firing.

Then there was the petrol and diesel mix-up incident. It was a result of bad decisions, leaving alot of what ifs and if onlys. It was an unfortunate mishap.

R&R consisted of sumptuous meals and pretty much nothing to do in Rockhampton except hang around in a few shopping malls. I went to a cathedral and said my thanksgiving prayers there. The candlelights, stained glass and chalk coloured statues made it difficult to imagine that i had lived like a kampung boy for a month.

Reviewing my pictures, I watched where my W experience took me to. I remembered who I made to smile for the camera. I remembered hot and dry days and cold nights. I remembered the spartan conditions of polygon camp where even the most basic food was rationed. I remembered the shock I got on the first day I arrived and saw the living conditions at polygon camp. I remembered the green packs I cooked and how the combat rations tasted. I remembered the smoke from forest fires and the sand our jeeps stirred. I remembered how we all smiled under all circumstances, and I couldn’t help but smile.

mr forest fire really meant serious business.

Wallaby was a beautiful country. One of the many breathtaking sunrises and sunsets..

Adios, mr W, its time for me to close another chapter to my ns experience. There’s a bittersweet emotion with the awareness of its impending end, and there’s a sadness of bidding my brothers all the best as we prepare to go our different paths. But I take comfort in the words of novelist Richard Bach, who once said, “Don’t be dismayed by goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”

The original drivers with our highly respected platoon sergeant. Outfields made us very very close.

Past. Present. Future

Sunday, November 30, 2008

recession, recounts, reflection

Friday, November 14, 2008

Queensland 08

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