woah!

Its amaizng how many people actually read this crappy blog. firstly, the layout is unimpressive, un-cool and just green. Secondly, the writing is insipid, with mundane everyday events and un-funny jokes. Thirdly, there is an obvious lack of pictures suggesting the owner of not having a life(or a camera!). So why so many people actually read this blog?

Im flattered. Honestly. I started out wanting to put words to the life of Ilyas, and he has stagnated. He is lying in a pool of filth, retching for air. When i lost my green jacket, i felt it was the end. Ilyas was finally dead. Committed suicide.

I remember that night pretty well. I lost it, and i walked aimlessly for hours, combing thru the same area over and over, just looking for Ilyas. So many people had worn it, girls whom i had loved and lost and some i hold dear even now, had spent sometime feeling Ilyas' embrace. And myself. Ilyas had been a constant companion, my shield against the world, against pain, suffering, loneliness. It had been me. I was the Green Jacket. Who am i now?

Nothing will replace a thoroughbred. In Sharpe's Sword, when Sharpe had wanted a Kliganthel Blade, a sword made by the finest craftsman in Germany with the finest steel, he had to kill the owner to get it. But the blade was evil, it had too much innocent blood on it. when Sharpe was recovering from an almost mortal wound dealt by the owner with the kliganthel blade itself, Harper had made him a blade from a simple discarded cavalry Heavy sabre, sharpening it, polishing it, putting a gem in the hilt, lovingly made by a best friend for the ailing sharpe. Needless to say, Sharpe took that sword and killed the wowner of the kliganthel and thru the evil sword into a river.

Ilyas is gone. Taken from its previous owner without permission, it did not belong to me. It gave warmth to many, but none of them truly deserved wearing it.

But all hope is not lost. Love saves, and a new jacket, green as ilyas, lighter, more supple and smells better, worn by the woman i truely,madly, deeply love, was presented to me for my 22nd. By two people who i feel loves me a lot. :) Thank you khamal, fasihah. You guys rock.

Ilyas is dead. Its just Taufiq Now. Taufiq's Green Jacket.

Was walking home from work, having had the most terrible and most frustrating day, and i bumped into safrizan, and old friend from poly. He was selling Ayam Percik(percik chicken, honestly i dont know the true translation.) and he called me over. We had a stick and he offered to send me home.

I was famished, so i decided to go makan first over at Al-amin. Suddenly, both of us started making calls and before the hour was up, we were joined by Qamah, Salim, Fir, Rasfan and Blaine. It was a super impromptu gathering but it was not unlooked for. I was immediately cheered up! haha

We had a long discussion, about life, and Ijan came up with a very interesting view on life.

LIFE IS A BOARD GAME OF SNAKE AND LADDERS.

Now this might sound cliche, but it made sense.

Say you have a target. perhaps a car. so you play the game, going up life's ladders to bring you closer, going down the snakes along the way. Sometimes, you see a ladder, but actually its a snake, masquerading as a ladder. Sometimes, you expect to fall but come out nearer to you target than you ever expected. The game,of course, isnt complete without dice. The dice are the choices we make, whether right or wrong, 1 or 6, will bring us closer or push us further from our target.

Now, concurrently, there are millions of other targets, each over and under our current target, and every decision we make moves the pieces on the other parallel boards as well. Cool huh? An infinite game of Snakes and ladders.

Would you like to play with me?

Update

This past few weeks have been fascinating. Theres an end to a good job, beginning of a new one, a beautiful trip overseas and a sad reminder of the past. yes, it has been quite fascinating.

Im done with 5 SIR. After almost a year in the unit, ive learned plenty and made a lot of friends along the way. Hopefully, they feel the same way.. haha..

Its been a tough year, and Im glad to say that I enjoyed my PC tour immensely. The weight of responsibility, the need to make tough decisions and bear the consequences, the excitement before the breach.. Im going to miss it all. Itll be a change to be the one observing instead of actually fighting..

I went to Bali recently, with my beautiful girlfriend Mira (yep, gf already liao! :D) and we had a ball of a time! It was unfortunate that we hardly touched the water, but it was just gorgeous sitting by the sea, looking out at the waves thats the height of a 9 year old crashing against the serene sands.. do that while eating bakso and drinking sosro, and uve got a paradise ready-made. It felt a lot like a honeymoon, and people kept congratulating us for it( it was sweet, but totally untrue. Perhaps their wishes had something to do with the cheap plastic surfboard keychains they were trying to push onto us.. ).

There was one time i had to protect her honour as a couple of gasoline pumping goons were eyeing her up and making obscene gestures with the handle of their pumps (haha.. actually, they complimented on how pretty Mira was to the driver of our vehicle, who passed on the compliments. Honestly, Balinese people are so friendly!)

I want to go overseas again.. probably to australia or europe! that would be excellent.. :)

Anyway, ive been posted as instructor to OCS. So if you guys from the west wanna meet up, just drop me a line, cos im free! and im in the west! woohoo!

Cheers mate. will drop more pics soon..