The Tipping Point

I have been following a creative writing blog with gusto for some time. It has breathed many new insights to my otherwise stale writing of late. A recent post is titled "What is your character's drug of choice?" Its focal point being everyone is addicted to something we simply can't live without. It's the thing "the character will hold on to for normalcy and sanity". It does not have to be a substance addiction, it can be a memory, a person or even a pet.

I have been plagued by the dilemma "to move or not to move" for months. This inner struggle has been tormenting me every waking minute and it's literally driving me mad. While reading the post I can totally see myself as the said character. My drug is my pad, the place I feel safest and sanest. My major reluctance to move being after living in the same place for six years, I feel like I have found my roots. In essence, I have found a sense of belonging and I have never felt so at peace.

During this time, there has been no shortage of advice to move to a smaller place or a different area to pay less rent. The very reality that I will be uprooted has tipped me to genuine despair. I am not sure if my insistence has moved Providence to help. For the first time in months, I can feel the black cloud of despair dissipating and a sense of "normalcy and sanity" returning.

What a relief.

Words

Whenever I sit down to do any serious reading, I always have pen and scrap paper with me. The purpose is to mark down words I don't know or just vaguely. I hate reading something without knowing its intended meaning. The reading is done, but no meaning is deciphered from it. A half way comprehension is hence a complete waste of time.

This modus operandi has been going on for several years. I even have a notebook especially for my new found vocabulary. It's truly humbling to acknowledge one's ignorance in face of all the circled words. I still can't suppress a jolt looking at their numerous counts every time. I consider myself as pretty literate but when an elusive word keeps escaping or a phrase is used over and over again for want of a better one, I know I am still a long way off from mastering the language.

The saying "you are what you eat" can be translated to "you are what you read". I try to stay away from summary, synopsis or any truncated work. In this day and age where information is brimming, one wants to be briefed on everything, making highlighted versions extremely addictive. Tempting it may be, there is a reason why an original work is written a certain way, it is meant to be savored.

Emerson puts it, "So in writing, there is always a right word, & every other than that is wrong. There is no beauty in words except in their collocation. The effect of a fanciful word misplaced, is like that of a horn of exquisite polish growing on a human head."

Well said.
(photo: www. wordpress.com)

Anthony Hopkins - Painter

I get updates on news topics via email and one of the headlines on Reuters today is Sir Anthony Hopkins having an art exhibition. A friend asks me if it is the self same actor. After doing some reading and digging on the Internet. Yes it is.

Above is a work by Sir Anthony, acrylic on canvas. I read he uses a palette knife instead of brushes to paint. Aside from the bold colors, the focal point of his abstracts are the eyes on the faces or masks. He believes the eyes are the life of a person. It shows. Some of his work are being auctioned at http://www.artnet.com/.

Sir Anthony is one of the few actors who has a definitive factor in my choice of movies. If he is in it, even a small role, I am watching it. He can steal any scene just by his presence. Coupled with his accent, he is Welsh, he is simply mesmerizing on screen and off. An actor of his caliber is rare and his creative pursuit as a painter at age 72 proves that creativity is a life long endeavor. It is a great stimulus for people with dreams to not procrastinate. Just do it. Bravo.

(photo: www.artnet.com)

A Perfect Valentine's

Almost every girl has a preconceived notion of what constitutes a perfect Valentine's Day. Flowers, chocolates, candle light dinners and little presents are all parts of it. The anticipation on the girl's side cannot be understated, adding to the importance of D-day. With the arrival of Valentine's day proper, the moment of truth is revealed. Will it be sheer joy or utter disappointment?

First scenario, the guy shows up with flowers and the works. The girl feels her life is complete with no regrets whatsoever.

Second scenario, the guy shows up, but there is no present, no chocolate, no candle light dinner and no flowers. The devastation is complete and indescribable.

Third scenario, the guy does not show up at all. The heart is shattered, all hopes are dashed. Of all the things a guy can do to break a girl's heart, the cruelest thing is breaking up on the most important days in a girl's calendar, her birthday, Christmas eve, New Year's eve and Valentine's Day.

My scenario, I have a surprised delivery of chocolate mousse, chestnut cake and tiramisu. I am totally touched by the thoughts behind it. Knowing I have been out at a dinner with almost nothing edible for a vegetarian and thinking I might be hungry, the singular thought is getting me something to eat. I am told it has to be something sweet, as it is Valentine's Day.

I just have to smile. I've had the perfect Valentine's and this is indeed the perfect gift.

White

New Year is ushered in only a little more than a month ago, with Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year two days fresh. After a full month of gatherings and get-together, lying on the couch with a good book seems to be most appealing. What if you have another "thing" before having the luxury to relax and do nothing?

When you feel like you have been up for months, everything seems like a chore. Suddenly, eyeglasses, pyjamas, ponytail, sans makeup is "the" look you want. Sadly, if you have another "do" to attend you have to look somewhat "together".

White eye shadow and eye liner are the "it" makeup this season. I am drawn to them not because of the hype, but as an instant booster to droopy eyes. When you are this tired, the less steps you have to complete doing your makeup is a god sent.

Apply the white eye shadow on the upper eyelids. Use the white eye liner to line the lower rim of your eyes above the lashes. Don't stop until you have filled the little triangle area towards the end of the eye. Smudge the white liner a bit to make it more natural.

The two steps above ought to brighten your eyes even without mascara and other eye makeup. It beats dabbing and evening out concealer. It takes a couple tries to make it look right, but at least it's white and not black eye shadow or eye liner which you have to cleanse to get rid of. A tissue is all it takes for a do over.

I have an earlier post of using concealer as an instant eye brightener. However, if you feel like you are not here, there or anywhere, white eye shadow and liner are safer choices. You don't want to have caked concealer while exerting your last effort to look you are present.

Valentine New Year

Valentine's Day happen to fall on Chinese New Year this year. It's supposed to occur every thirty eight years. As opposed to the usual bouquet of cut flowers, I have received a big vase of orchids arranged with a mass twirl of silvery buds. It feels more celebratory than romantic so I guess New Year's has won out as the decoration theme this Valentine's.

I could not resist sweet peas when I chance upon them and they have fondly become everyday flowers around the house. Sweet peas come in many different shades and shapes and I always marvel at their variations during their frequent albeit brief sojourn on my desk.

The free flowing sweet peas are the Midas touch, adding sweetness and romance to the otherwise austere Valentine orchids.