I touched water this morning, finally got out of the comfort bed that rest my body to the lap pool. That’s right, a morning swim. Initially I thought I would be the only soul awake at half past seven this morning but was warmly greeted by some of the old folks who were doing their morning walk around the compound. I too, decided to for a walk, not with my loved one but I wanted to warm the body up before getting into that freezing pool.

*Splash*

A sense of liberation that morning, being able to paddle through without the worries of the day, checking the sights and sounds of the morning landscape, seeing the greens and flowers in more detail – mainly, taking time to appreciate what was before me, what He has greatly blessed me with. Nature at its finest and an abundance of solitude. I see a day where, a morning devotion will be done at one of the benches, and it’ll be nice to scribble the thoughts of the young mind

*Flash*

The last to leave work, it was dead empty but extremely quiet and very conducive for work. I have so much to do, really so much to do. The first half of the day was spent with appraisal and a particular outing for work in town, I actually passed out for a nap as we headed back to the office. I basically lay myself, and placed my tie over my eyes and sent myself to dreamland. A much needed escape as I knew the afternoon ahead. My colleague thinks its the cheeseburger I had ;p

It’s a tough week, this week. A week that is going to require a great discipline of time management due to the very fact that I don’t have much. Major meetings ahead and presentations respectively require due amount of preparation. And here I am thinking, how am I going to pull through…yet, another heavy one?

I lost steam at about 10ish, and packed up to head to the gym to burn off the built up stress, a rather weak workout because I was thoroughly exhausted but a healthy effort otherwise, all the pent up emotions for the day from work may just get to me. And the reward for the day – 2 vitagen, 3 eggs and a bowl of cereal for tomorrow. And guess what? We do it all again tomorrow, yippee!.

Though I must be satisfied that I have had a disciplined day, achieving all the daily goals with more goals tomorrow, so in this I should accept and be glad. Most of all, I didn’t dread the day. Yea, it may be quiet and lonely but it was a pace that just kept me through. Maybe the idea of work is really just work.

So for everything today….thank you, Lord. I rely on your strength for tomorrow.

I just got home from rehearsals. Footstool has started and it was bit of a deja vu for me making my way there. Somehow, some things still stick with you when you’re so routine from the previous seasons, like:-

1. Punctuality
2. Bring a pencil – write notes.
3. Have a note book
4. Highlighter – you may highlight your respective lines.

Funnily, as I arrived, I see AW pulling up next to me and we smiled at one another. I guess for the both of us, we’re afraid of being late. Most of all, I think we respect punctuality and other people’s time.

It was a good night, a good start off to what may come and become. For me, it has finally arrived and rather timely as well. I have my end year appraisal tomorrow and the following month marks an end to another financial year at work which translates to 2 years with the company. It has been one challenging and yet exciting ride. And I still very much want to hang on and hang out

I had quite a chew tonight with the first script, the ball of emotions and thought stirring conditions; I was thinking – woah…it’s been so long. damn karat already! Nonetheless, it’s still like one of my biggest passion and still requires amazing effort and fervent prayer for any piece to arrive at its due note to basically become – a storyteller.

The theme this year revolves around family issues and dating & marriage relationships. Something that is very close to my heart. You can probably imagine the intensity and emotional development ahead and also the funniest irony when it comes to communication between a male and female. I had fun looking through the visual pieces taking shape. Ah, it really feels very good to be back!

What’s more, familiar and new faces; moreover a degree of comfort and a time for fellowship and new relationships to be forge for the times ahead. The solo drives to rehearsals and back is going to set my mind to reflective thinking mode again. Further to the fact that I now live alone, man…a lot of solo time ahead. 2008…2008…where will it all head to?

The particular script I worked on tonight – Word Picture, is probably going to be very thought provoking for me, actually feeling and getting into that character. I would really have to dive deep and really questioned some of the issues which I think I can very relate and struggle with. It’s such an intense piece to begin with and during that cold read, it felt like a sizzling plate of raw emotions being set on fire! It was hawt!

My personal life has been one emotional roller coaster, I know that for a fact, I have been on rides where I didn’t know where I was going, I’ve been riding for reasons of unknown, that now I have been particularly careful with new invites of such ride. A free pass wouldn’t cut it either. Not till I’m very ready and sure of where I’m going next. With that, it’s going to be a challenge and an interesting treatment as I continue to rehearse the respective pieces, and see how it also impacts my life and how God will be speaking to me.

To some degree, as the phrase, “….and then a bolt of lightning hits you” – I have a strong feeling that I’ll be getting a lot of those this season. Simply because:-

I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you again

Won’t you look down upon me, Jesus
You’ve got to help me make a stand
You’ve just got to see me through another day
My body’s aching and my time is at hand
And I won’t make it any other way
(Fire & Rain by James Taylor)

I’m now at my parent’s house. To be more precise, my brother’s room. The iTunes is blaring Still by Hillsongs and I’m physically and emotionally far from it. I think I lost myself today.

Work ended at 6am this morning, sleep was erratic, clocking in back to work at 2 and quick hours of work, I’m off again. I’m really off.

Where is all this heading to?

I had the worst badminton thrashing this week, and when I say it, I really do mean a heated thrashing. I’m still sore and recovering. A sprained right ankle, an absolute strained shoulder and I even strained my elbow this time. Basically, I’m limping in more ways that one on my right side. I’m not pleased with my performance, it’s like whip of rain splashing you to shore just when you thought you had swam to the other side. It looks as if you’re just playing with water by the shores.

My physical fitness is really out. I can honestly feel it, everything has dropped quite a few notches. Bad diet, poor sleeping pattern, optional meals, pants reaching the peak of it elasticity at work (I need to stay off those work doughnuts). Top mass shedding to fine bony structure to grind weakness. I have been saying this, I need to get back in – but my problem is, how do I find the time to commit?

Time is of such an important essence right now and it’s so difficult to manage it because it may just leak out of your pocket anytime, it’s like option sharing even, when you spend with others likens like you’re treating someone to lunch. Something’s gotta give. The most concerning part is this – I have missed a big bulk of having meaningful conversations. Heartfelt moments where I could relate with my persona and much to learn from.

Even with best planning, things have still been unsettling, you could end your day in bed. But the mind still challenges you in its most direct hit – your thoughts. And you toss, you turn, u even rise but you’re dejected. To be refilled with words, a story and a written piece that normally energize me requires time and effort. And, that’s tough – when you’re entirely zonked out for the day.

I have already cut back on so many appointments of meet ups just so I may find time for myself, which was initially for my own development. Now it’s just setting aside time to rest.

So, this is the marketplace.
And I have chosen to be here, and strongly feel that He has put me here too.

A place where the landscapes changes daily before you, a war zone at its finest when territories are endangered. Being fast is not good enough, being there is where you want to be.

God,
I am so tired. So tired from everything.
I don’t want to run on auto pilot anymore.
Jesus, please take the wheel.

Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind ~ (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

:: I remember those handful moments so vividly. My eyes shine, laughing lines stream around my sides and my smile was most genuine and comforting. I just want to wake up every morning and that person greets me at the mirror. Lord, I’m asking for your assured presence.

“I should have been a poster boy when I had the chance. Instead, I’m now losing my best years to a bunch of idiots.”

“There’s a huge disconnect with relevance today. I want to stay relevant”

“You just need to find your rhythm, it’s just like any other game. Find balance”

“I’m so tired. I’ve worked … (fill in the blanks)”

“The only reason why I’m not going back in is because I am not given a chance to be me”

“The idea of potency is fading. Everything that is quick is now the leading tendency *snap*”

“Sleep is important but entertainment is just a click away”

“I work on Saturdays. Really, so do I!”

“Are the days passing quicker or am I fading faster?”

“Do I stay or do I move on? Exploration is key. But my question, the key to what?”

“I’m trying to find my game but the problem is – I don’t know who I’m playing!”

“I’m a wandering and wondering stone. My name is numb”

“Visibility has a stake in overwhelming world. It seems that noise equals poise”

“You’re gonna be moving around a lot. You better move it or you gonna be left behind”

“The background is changing, either move or stop being an eye sore”

“The landscape is shifting and I think it’s going the wrong direction”

…i’m so relieved.

And, I hope that this relief stays.

Thank you Lord, for flashy miracles.

My brush with flash files and links nearly took me out of my rest. I don’t know how, but someone up there decided to drop an opening link to an answer after failing which – I was cracking my head how to work it.

So yeah, my saturday has been filled with a wedding, a funeral and a flash file. It all kinda just went *flash* before me.

I am so tired. I really am.
I am seeking solitude and ample rest during this time of many tests.

Differentiation
Creativity
Leadership

Commodity is a big NO-NO. The reason is simple: Everything can be differentiated.

Creative marketers are the ones who will shape the future market when traditional marketing fails us. We are living in the age of creativity. It is said that that creativity peaks at the age of five, then children go to school only to lose it. The educational emphasis on left-brain congnitive learning tends to under-nurture the creative right brain. A marketer should work in a frim that nurtures creativity and hire people with an aptitude for creativity.

All marketers should be leaders, not administrators. IF you are spending most of your time on budgets, organizing charts, costs, compliance and detail, you are an administrator. To become a leader, you need to spend more time with people, scanning opportunities, developing a vision and setting goals. Some think that great leaders need charisma. They are forgetting that some of the great business leaders went about their work in a quiet way touching the minds and hearts of the people in their organization. They are friendly, approachable and caring. They act as role models.

The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said: “A leader is best when people barely know that he exists”. The best leaders do not spend too much time poring over numbers. They get out and meet the troops. And they devote a lot of time to understand the dynamics of the market.

Marketing takes a day to learn, but it takes a lifetime to master.

was freaking amazing!

Robert is da bomb!

and m hooked on this

www.niketraining.com.my

Stark, Just stark.

edit: I was right, Jon Favreau was iron’s driver in the movie – Happy Hogan! And man, Jeff Bridges was Obadiah…dang, I could not for the life of me guessed that! His hair, his hair….wait, i mean…what hair?? And I missed a short treat after the credits when Samuel L Jackson came out. There’s gonna be a sequel…man, I really wanna watch iron man again!

May has finally come and Footstool reunited for the first time this year on Sunday at my home (I should have taken pictures, would love to document some moments). I had forgotten how mentally draining reading scripts could be, and how much fun and joy there is as we spent close to three over hours together just going through the many scripts that CK has brought to tingle our acting buds. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it and also gained much from that session. Heartfelt prayers, realizing our priorities and laying God first before us in all we do, it was really comforting to have a group of peers in the same light.

I remember Ann right now, she’s probably still in pain from her wisdom tooth reaction.
I also remember JT’s blog entry in our purpose or say vocation of life. He just got a promotion but quickly adds that my full time job is serving God (in his case TRU) and part time job is the promotion perks he had. That got me thinking…

It’s true and I quickly forget, and its important that different moments and people remind us of that. That my ultimate service and purpose is to serve Him and may all glory be to Him. And in that respect, it changes perspective entirely for me. There’s more grace involved that’s for sure and definitely more empathy too.

It’s funny how you perceive the world really depends on the platform that you’re on, ain’t it?

I have been reflecting on Sunday message and something really tugged me with Hebrews 6:1-2 and John 15:9 – 11. As i continue to scribble on my whiteboard and think about it, I think about the elementary principles shared in that passage. Those requirements to gain spiritual maturity.
The basis of not living for ourselves, but living for others. Or nicely put and much said by some, “live simply so that others may simply live.”

Timely, timely reminder.

As I take more awareness in repositioning myself and aligning God in my different spheres of life, it’s important to highlight that this alignment may take a daily course. I speak to so many who are quickly burnt out, many who mention that they are backslidden (but really I call them outstanding Christians) why? this is a cunning one, they are the Christians who stand outside the church

But really, I sometimes do myself. And it’s all really, distraction after distractions. It’s important to anchor God deep in our hearts. I write this right now, to remind myself and not to call out to others.

On the flipside, I just can’t imagine life without God anymore. I wouldn’t know how to move forward in life without some form of dependence. Call it fear and somewhat trembling, but my upcoming BIG decisions in life can’t be supported by a her, him or an it – be it whatever earthly darlings it may be.

And if there was anything that gave me a wake up call, would probably be this:-

how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ~ Hebrews 8:14.

I’m very appreciative of public holidays now, since it was labour day yesterday. The first perk, waking up at lunch time, second perk, having family lunch together and conversing and munching all the way. The third which was probably one of the highlights of my day was badminton.

I didn’t realize how much I miss my Thursday sessions to be honest. Most of my work schedules off late have been stretching most of my hours till late, and also the fact that the hours are erratic at most. To be fair, I probably can’t compare to the folks in the advertising industry or probably magazine writers who cover events after and are expected to churn out hot from the oven event releases with a sting. But to each his own and understanding boundary of each industry I guess, and there are the hedge fund guys and investment bankers and then there’s the other extreme of sales which flexi hours are incredible.

And I always question the quality of life that I would want. Or would like to achieve perhaps? I’m most comfortable and at ease with quality fellowship really be it at work or otherwise. But badminton was really good. I enjoyed my game thoroughly. Z, you should have been there. And most importantly, I enjoyed my time with the young and old. well, one young and a few old. The fun was always at dinner, and we ate lots and I enjoyed seeing that. I was rather quiet for most of the night because I just realize how much I miss the fellowship. I just wanted to absorb the time spent with them.

The price? A sprain on the right foot, a potent strain on the shoulder, thoroughly drained from the game but this will remain – community friendship. And that’s priceless.

This Sunday, I look forward to our first Footstool Players meeting at my place. Again, my mind has been jogging very much looking at old pictures, reading blog entries and being all nostalgic about it. Even more when, the theme this year is extremely close to my heart and most of my writings and conversations have somewhat put a point of reference in it. As always, I always remind myself before I start pointing, I should look in the mirror and reflect first.

On an entirely separate note, i have been scribbling a lot about this:-

creative thinking + critical thinking = ??
creative thinking + critical thinking = creatical

On a more interesting finding for myself,

did you know that Adiddas was formed by two brothers? Adi and Rudolf Dassler if I’m not wrong, and the combination of their names formed Adidas. After WW2, Rudolf separated itself from Adiddas to formed its own shoe company and wanted to name it “Ruda”, and that obviously didn’t sound coo. So, do you know what it was called instead? Puma. Yup, that’s right….Puma and Adidas today are related, a rivalry that led to great lifestyle shoe making And here’s another interesting note for you, during the 1969 Olympics, athelese were not allowed to receive endorsement money as a law set up by the committee. Insted, respective agents would leave envelopes witha few hundred dollars in the toilet for the athletes to pick up. Adidas won obviously because they had deeper pockets.

This little fact for me was found in the pages of Fortune magazine reviewing a new book out – Sneaker Wars. Sounds like a good read,eh?