Thursday, March 22, 2007

What would you have done?













What would you have done?

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

There was once a bridge which spanned a large river. During most of the day the bridge sat with its length running up and down the river paralleled with the banks, allowing ships to pass thru freely on both sides of the bridge. But at certain times each day, a train would come along and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river, allowing a train to cross it.

A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place as the train crossed. One evening as the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day to come, he looked off into the distance thru the dimming twilight and caught sight of the trainlights.

He stepped to the control and waited until the train was within a prescribed distance when he was to turn the bridge. He turned the bridge into position, but, to his horror, he found the locking control did not work. If the bridge was not securely in position it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came onto it, causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river. This would be a passenger train with many people aboard.

He left the bridge turned across the river, and hurried across the bridge to the other side of the river where there was a lever switch he could hold to operate the lock manually. He would have to hold the lever back firmly as the train crossed.

He could hear the rumble of the train now, and he took hold of the lever and leaned backward to apply his weight to it, locking the bridge. He kept applying the pressure to keep the mechanism locked. Many lives depended on this man's strength.

Then, coming across the bridge from the direction of his control shack, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold.

"Daddy, where are you?"

His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him. His first impulse was to cry out to the child, "Run! Run!" But the train was too close; the tiny legs would never make it across the bridge in time. The man almost left his lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him to safety.

But he realized that he could not get back to the lever. Either the people on the train or his little son must die. He took a moment to make his decision.

The train sped safely and swiftly on its way, and no one aboard was even aware of the tiny broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the onrushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of the sobbing man, still clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had passed.

They did not see him walking home more slowly than he had ever walked: to tell his wife how their son had brutally died.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Table For Two

He sits by himself at a table for two.

The uniformed waiter returns to his side and asks, "Would you like to go ahead and order, Sir?" The man has, after all, been waiting since seven o'clock--almost a half an hour. "No, thank you," the man smiles. "I'll wait for her a while longer. How about some more coffee?". "Certainly, Sir."

The man sits, his clear blue eyes gazing straight through the flowered centerpiece. He fingers his napkin, allowing the sounds of light, chatter, tinkling silverware, and mellow music to fill his mind. He is dressed in a sport coat and tie. His dark brown hair is neatly combed, but one stray lock insists upon dropping on his forehead. The scent of his cologne adds to his clean-cut image. He is dressed up enough to make a companion feel important, respected, loved. Yet he is not so formal as to make one uncomfortable. It seems that he has taken every precaution to make others feel at ease with him.

Still, he sits alone. The waiter returns to fill the man's coffee cup. "Is there anything else I can get for you, Sir?" "No, thank you." The waiter remains standing at the table. Something tugs at his curiosity. "I don't mean to pry, but..." His voice trails off, knowing this line of conversation could jeopardize his tip. "Go ahead," the man encourages. His is strong, yet sensitive, inviting conversation. "Why do you bother waiting for her?" the waiter finally blurts out. This man has been at the restaurant other evenings, always patiently alone.

Says the man quietly, "Because she needs me." "Are you sure?" "Yes." "Well, Sir, no offense, but assuming that she needs you, she sure isn't acting much like it. She has stood you up three times just this week." The man winces, and looks down at the table. "Yes, I know." "Then, why do you still come here and wait?" "Cassie said that she would be here." "She's said that before," the waiter protests. "I wouldn't put up with it. Why do you?" Now the man looks up, smiles at the waiter, and says simply, "Because I love her."

The waiter walks away, wondering how one could love a girl who stands him up three times a week. The man must be crazy, he decides. Across the room, he turns to look at the man again. The man slowly pours his cream into his coffee. He twirls his spoon between his fingers a few times before stirring sweetener into his cup. After staring for a moment into the liquid, the man brings the cup to his mouth and sips, silently watching those around him.

He doesn't look crazy. The waiter admits. Maybe the girl has qualities that I don't know about. Or maybe the man's love is stronger than most. The waiter shakes himself out of his musings to take an order from a party of five. The man watches the waiter, wonders if he's ever been stood up. The man has, many times. But he still can't get used to it. Each time, it hurts. He's looked forward to this evening all day. He has many things, exciting things, to tell Cassie. But, more importantly, he wants to hear Cassie's voice. He wants her to tell him all about her day, her triumphs, her defeats... anything, really.

He has tried so many times to show Cassie how much he loves her. He'd just like to know that she cares for him, too. He sips sporadically at the coffee, and loses himself in thought, knowing that Cassie is late, but still hoping she will arrive.

The clock says nine-thirty when the waiter returns to the man's table. "Is there anything I can get for you?" The still empty chair stabs at the man. "No, I think that will be all for tonight. May I have the check, please?" "Yes, Sir." When the waiter leaves, the man picks up the check. He pulls out his wallet and signs. He has enough money to have given Cassie a feast. But he takes out only enough to pay for his five cups of coffee and the tip.

Why do you do this, Cassie, his mind cries as he gets up from the table. "Good-bye," the waiter says, as the man walks towards the door. "Good night. Thank you for your service." "You're welcome, Sir," says the waiter softly, for he sees the hurt in the man's eyes that his smile doesn't hide.

The man passes a laughing young couple on his way out, and his eyes glisten as he thinks of the good time he and Cassie could have had. He stops at the front and makes reservations for tomorrow. Maybe Cassie will be able to make it tomorrow, he thinks.

"Seven o'clock tomorrow for the party of two?" the hostess confirms. "That's right," the man replies. "Do you think she'll come?" asks the hostess. She doesn't mean to be rude, but she has watched the many, many times alone at this table for two. "Someday, yes. And I will be waiting for her." The man buttons his overcoat and walks out of the restaurant, alone. His shoulders are hunched but through the windows, the hostess can only guess whether they are hunched against the wind or against the man's hurt.

As the man turns towards home, Cassie turns into bed. She is tired after an evening out with friends. As she reaches toward her night stand to set the alarm, she sees a note that she had scribbled to herself last night. ' 7:00, ' it says. ' Spend time in prayer.' Darn, she thinks. She had forgot again. She feels a twinge of guilt, but quickly pushes it aside. She needed that time with her friends. And now she needs her sleep. She can pray tomorrow night. Jesus will forgive her. And she is sure that the man who awaits her doesn't mind.

by Kirsten Burgess

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Of Easter thingy and some














Easter is coming,
Bunnies are hopping,
Chocolates aplenty,
Greetings for tea.

Candles to light,
Shells to decorate,
Pancakes to share,
But a cross to bear.

Lent it is, of forty days,
a period of penitence,
to await the rising,
and greet the King.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Funnies

Received these via email, and they brought back memories of exam horrors! Thank goodness I focused on the Arts more than the Sciences (except for Biology which I had to do for my G.C.S.E. - SPM equivalent). I can really symphatise with the kids. Still, these tickled me somewhat:

1. Checking In:


2. Expand


3. Find X


4. Physics Huh!


5. Mathematical Horror!


Personally, I think No.5 is the funniest. Reminded me of how I felt when I started Additional Mathematics (but never completed)! GOSH! Sometimes I do wonder whether studying such deep level of Mathematics helps in my line of work. I guess perhaps in logical thinking, but at times, I "think" myself into such a loop I get a headache.

Incidentally, I still hear words like 1st derivative, 2nd derivative in some of the articles I read in terms of more technical financial stuffs, and you know what, a banker I know has a degree in Quantum Physics! Talk about being a rocket scientist in the financial line!!! Wow...

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Tired

I am tired..... literally swamped at work now....

Before, I could sometimes take my time with work a bit, but recently, after being reassigned with a new portfolio to look at, there are just so much things to consider, strategise, plan, manage...

I have to look positively I guess, it's a learning experience, and yes, I am still learning stuff at my job. But, the days literally flew pass me so fast, I am left here wondering where have the hours gone.

I guess I can count my blessings that I still have a job, demanding as it may be. Here's hoping I can last and not suffer an early burn out...

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Nominations!

Yippeee.... we were nominated for our Mostly, We Moon concert last November in FOUR categories in the Boh Cameronian Arts Awards in the music category. It's almost like KL's own Grammy's or Oscars for the local art scene, but obviously, nothing as grand as those! Still, it is an absolute achievement to having been nominated, not in one, but in FOUR categories! Our previous shows were also nominated, but in one category in the respective years. This show has now exceeded our own expectations:

1. Best Group Performance (Voice)
Prize of RM1,000 sponsored by Alexis Bistro & Wine Bar and trophy sponsored by Tumasek Pewter
a. Mostly, We Moon, musical direction by Mimi Liau & Zalina Lee, presented by The Wicked Pitches
b. Candlelight Christmas, musical direction by Brian Tan, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
c. Broken Bridges, The Musical, directed by Joe Hasham, written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, music composed by Lim Chuang Yik, musical direction by James Boyle, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre


2. Best Musical Direction
Prize of RM1,000 sponsored by Alexis Bistro & Wine Bar and trophy sponsored by Tumasek Pewter
a. Brian Tan for Candlelight Christmas, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
b. Mimi Liau & Zalina Lee for Mostly, We Moon, presented by The Wicked Pitches
c. James Boyle for Broken Bridges, The Musical, directed by Joe Hasham, written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, music composed by Lim Chuang Yik, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre


3. Best Production Values
Prize of RM1,000 sponsored by Alexis Bistro & Wine Bar and trophy sponsored by Tumasek Pewter
a. Broken Bridges, The Musical, directed by Joe Hasham, written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, music composed by Lim Chuang Yik, musical direction by James Boyle, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
b. Crossing Borders, presented by Sutra Dance Theatre
c. Mostly, We Moon, musical direction by Mimi Liau & Zalina Lee, presented by The Wicked Pitches
d. Drum Slices, musical direction by Bernard Goh, presented by Hands Percussion Team
e. Candlelight Christmas, musical direction by Brian Tan, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre


4. Best Solo Performance (Voice)
Prize of RM1,000 sponsored by Alexis Bistro & Wine Bar and trophy sponsored by Tumasek Pewter
a. Douglas Lim for Broken Bridges, The Musical, directed by Joe Hasham, written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, music composed by Lim Chuang Yik, musical direction by James Boyle, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
b. Colin Kirton for Broken Bridges, The Musical, directed by Joe Hasham, written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, music composed by Lim Chuang Yik, musical direction by James Boyle, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
c. Cheong Whye Mun for Mostly, We Moon, musical direction by Mimi Liau & Zalina Lee, presented by The Wicked Pitches
d. Fang Chyi Chang for Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!, musical direction by Penny Low, presented by LiT Performers

e. Janice Yap for Broken Bridges, The Musical, directed by Joe Hasham, written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, music composed by Lim Chuang Yik, musical direction by James Boyle, presented by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre

I think the group is mightily pleased for the recognition of our hardwork. Not sure if we will win anything, but can always hope for the very best! :P