I should do this more often

Kathleen and I went to install the backseat safety belts in the Perodua service centre in Section 19. I got to mee Liyana whom I have spoken on the phone on several occasions, including making appointment and then requesting to move it to school holidays. Liyana has been very helpful. It tooks about 30 minutes. I am impressed with their professionalism, efficiency and courtesy.

We then rushed to the Bandar Utama Hall (near Puay Chay 2) to see what we could get with the coupon we bought to help the cause of the United Voice. By now you should notice Jesse was not with us. He wanted to spend his time playing computer games, even though his recent exam showed a drop in marks. We met Crystal and Danny. We also saw a hardworking pastor intern doing her part in clearing up the place.

We proceeded to 1 Utama. We had three GSC movie vouchers courtesy of Michael and Jamie. I intepreted their wedding service. We were trying to decide among Slumdog Millionaire, Watchmen and Race to Witch Mountain (that's our first choice because Jesse said he wanted to watch it.) We decided on the last one.

Kathleen called my mom to pick Jesse up for the weekly shopping with my sister and my little niece. We didn't want him to be alone at home for so long.

We walked around and then had some food and coffee in Starbucks. Of course we went online.

The movie was enjoyable. I am partial to Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson. He was one of my favourite "superstar" in WWE. And as an actor, he is still one of my favourites. I told Kathleen he would win an Oscar someday. She didn't believe it.

We also bought a pair of shoes for me. Kathleen reminded me that she listened and remembered what I said.

I got to spend time alone with Kathleen. I thank God for it. I need to spend more time with her and Jesse.

Come what may, I think I am ready to face the challenges. I am not alone.

Movie Ticket Stub

Different people have different ways of looking at life. Forrest Gump's mom told him life's like a box of chocolates and that we never knew what we are going to get. (Just give me any chocolates, I take them all, black, white, with almonds, with raisins, with alcohol, etc.)

To a certain extent, we can liken our encounter with others as a transaction. The exchange of ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotions, passion is a transactions. Sometimes you get a receipt in the form of a movie ticket stub. Some people stick the stubs in their diaries. Some people just get rid of them on the way out of of the theatre. Some like me will keep everything (movie ticket stubs included) until I have too much and I have to start throwing things away.

To be true, the movie ticket stubs can help bring back memory. Do you remember we watched this together? I remember the 20+ of us went to see the first installment of the Chronicles of Narnia together? (I presume no one remembers I almost had to go watch another movie because one of us decided to invite a friend at the last minute.) Some people can retain the memory without the aid of the movie ticket stub.

Way before the movie ticket stub became an object that triggers memory, it is a pass to get into the theatre. With the advance in technology, we no longer have to get behind the long queue to get our tickets. We still can do that. But we now have options to book the tickets online, via SMS or even a phone call. Then we are given a time to pick up the tickets. This indeed is unfair to the faithful queuers. I experienced this first hand when I arrived rather late in Singapore one Sunday night. There was a long queue at the Harbourfront Centre. I took my place in the queue with my notebook and luggage in tow. I noticed many people call taxis and got their taxis almost immediately while squares like me waited in the queue. It too me more than 1 hour to get on the taxi to go to my hotel.

Was it fair? Perhaps not. But those who called for taxi (and jumping ahead of all others) paid extra. Ok, what about those who book movie tickets? They didn't pay extra.

Let's get back to the movie tickets scenario. Was it fair to the people queuing up that they could not get their tickets? If the tickets are sold out and we could get some tickets (good seats no less) because those who booked did not pick them up, we'd probably be very happy. Was it fair for the tickets? It's paid for, either by the people who booked it or the old faithfuls who waited for a miracle in front of the counter. Either way, the tickets serve their purpose of bringing people entertainment they seek.

What if the tickets were not picked up by those who book and no one bought it from the counter? Well, then there would be empty seats in the show. Not every show is full house. This is life.

This is reality. We may not like it. The tickets, which get paid will have no say over whether it is fair to them or not.

This is a free market, there is a willing buyer and a willing seller. We use our skills, talents, time and labour to exchange salary for our living. (And when we give to God, it's such a wonderful thing. Remember, he owns everything. We are keeping 90% of what He gave for ourselves. We don't give him 10% of what we have.) There are many things we can do. The most blessed people are those who are doing what they enjoy, followed closely by those who enjoy what they do. These two groups of people may should similar but there is a fine line between them. The 1st group of people found something they like doing, The 2nd group learned to love what they do.

There are others who don't like what they do. There are some who don't even get to do anything not that they don't want to.

If we are unfortunate enough not to fall under the 1st group, then at the very least let's try to belong to the 2nd group.

Whatever it is, our principals should not be compromised.

In most things, it's always easier said than done. There is no exception here.

So, what are you going to do about it?

p.s. I am one of the poor souls who have not watched the Transformers movie. That ticket stub is not mine.

The Golden Compass - where does it lead you?

I have seen the poster of the Golden Compass (that's an upcoming movie, in case you are wondering) a few times and I was attracted by the picture of a young girl with her huge polar bear ally. I am a sucker for children. Anytime a child is in good hands, I am happy.

I told Jesse a few times that I wanted to watch this movie - that's a rarity. I seldom 'want' to watch a movie let alone actually going to watch one.

I did some research on the movie and found more information.

The Golden Compass as it is known in the US is based on the novel Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. Northern Lights is part of a series called His Dark Materials. The novels are said to clearly reject organized religion. It tells of a group of Magisterium, a dominant religious authority which condones the abduction of children for experimentation. The author is reported to have utter disdain for the Chronicles of Narnia (because of it's Christian connotation.) His Dark Materials is supposed to be a head on retaliation.

I have not seen the movie or read the books. But I understand that in His Dark Materials, 'god' is a frail old being whose power is usurped by his 'angels'. He is killed in the 3rd and last book.

This movie (as watered down as it can be) and the books are widely criticized by the Christian (and Catholic) world. The Archbishop of Canterbury however stood up for Philip Pullman. Dr Rowan Williams thinks that the books can be taught as part of religious in school against the dogmatism and religious oppression.

I think we should go back to the root and not just the money-making movie. We should examine the books and the message it is trying to convey. A study of the character of the author is also important. If the man is an open atheist and is known to attack the Christian belief, we should be wary.

Just like if an out of the closet lesbian is part of the team of a particular Bible version, I'd steer far far away from that version, no matter how many people love that version.

We don't even have enough time for the Word of God. Let's stay away from that which can corrupt the mind.