Memory Shortage
Damn, no Heroes on the TV tonight. How disappointing. I'd like to say that the writers' strike in over in Hollywood land has finally gotten me to a point of annoyance, but I can't. In spirit, I whole heartedly support the writers who are campaigning for due recognition, pay, work conditions, and generally not getting exploited by the rich pricks at the studios who are only interested in getting more rich. Good on them, I say. Power to the people. /o/
At least the last episode went off with a bit of a high. Well, strictly speaking, they're all of a very high standard, but that last episode that they aired here really kind of struck a chord with me. It was that episode where Hiro, having discovered that his father has been murdered, travels back through time to try to save him from his fate. Taking his father back through time with him in an attempt to make him understand, Hiro unsuccessfully was unable to convince his father to cheat death, and instead it is he who realises that he can not change fate. After both of them return to the night of the murder, Hiro's father explains that he's never travelled through time before and expresses just how proud he is of him. After that, they exchange their farewells for the last time and Hiro leaves his father to confront his last moments.
It probably sounds a little contrite when written out like this, but that final moment that they had together when they said goodbye to each other, well, it was actually quite touching. And it got me thinking, of all things, about the pride a parent can have in their child.
For a long time now, I've always regarded being told that someone is proud of you as generally a negative thing, as odd as that sounds. In the circles that I travel in, and particularly in east Asian culture, parents tend to take a vested interested in the development of their offspring - particularly in the field of academics. Typically, they'll push their kids into a pretty rigorous study regime and then brag to other parents about how well they're doing.
Before I go any further, I'd like to point out that my own folks were pretty cool in this respect, and never really pushed me too hard. 'Course, they didn't let my chronic habit of procrastinating get out of hand either. :3 Other parents and friends of the family on the other hand, well... Some weren't bad either, but some others kinda make me want to keep my distance in that regard. >_>
Anyway, my overall impression, despite some things which might suggest otherwise, was that "proud" was something your parents would say about you to other parents, but never actually say to you directly. In a way, I suppose, "proud" carried with it the connotation of being exploited so that egotistical parents could live vicariously through their kids. Kinda like how television studios are proud of their writing staff. Heh.
As a result, of the times that I did receive it as a compliment in the past, I honestly didn't really know how to take it. On one hand it was a pretty strong showing of another's faith in you, but on the other hand it also kept reminding me of all those other things that I'd come to associate with it that instead of feeling of pride were substituted with feelings of confusion. Because of this, I probably didn't show as much appreciation as I should have and, looking back on it all now, it pains me to think of just how royally I managed to screw that all up. Ah well, hindsight is always 20/20.
I'd like to think that I've got a bit of a fresher perspective on things now than I once had. If I could have my time again, maybe I'd have done things a little differently; but then again, maybe you just can't change fate. Maybe all you can do is learn from the past so that you can open your mind more in the future.
Ah man, and I totally forgot my wireless password today, too. >_> Y'know how sometimes you tell yourself to write something down because you just know that you're going to forget, but then when you need it and realise that you did forget, you just want to smack yourself? Yeah, I'm so there. I could swear I wrote it down somewhere though. _> 1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
Crazy Dan and his crazy camera phone.
2. What were you doing at 0800?
Reaching for the snooze button. 5 more minutes, seriously.
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Trying to guess that damn password. >_>
4. What happened to you in 2006?
Last year is in the past. Leave it alone. >:B
5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
"Yep" as I vowed to resolving the wireless issue by morning.
6. How many beverages did you have today?
Lots. It's very hot here. X_x
7. What color is your hairbrush?
Black. LIKE MY HEART!!!11
8. What was the last thing you paid for?
Lunch. The last substantial thing that I paid for was Super Mario Galaxy. Totally worth it. :D d
9. Where were you last night?
In front of my computer. It beats staring at the wall.
10. What color is your front door?
Brown like wood. Or wood like poop. Oh wait, I think I messed that up. ._.
11. Where do you keep your change?
In a big tin with serrated edges. You want to get to it, you gotta work for it. >:3
12. What’s the weather like today?
Too damn hot. /remove_shirt <- I concur. /remove_pants
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Ferrero-Rocher. You will get fat.
14. What excites you?
Public holidays. ToT And getting to talk to people you want to talk to. :3
15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Probably could do with a trim in the next few weeks or so. But it's still too short to tie up, so it's all good for now. \:3/
16. Are you over the age of 25?
No. Seriously. o_o
17. Do you talk a lot?
Not really, though when I get started, it can be hard to shut me up. >_>
18. Do you watch the O.C.?
Booooring.
19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
A couple back in the day. They weren't quite as cool as Eh! Steve! though.
20. Do you make up your own words?
Naw, I have enough difficulty using real words as it is.
21. Are you a jealous person?
Depends if it's something worth getting jealous about. :o
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
That Andrew guy. \:3/ If that is his real name. :o
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Cake-san. I mean, Kate-san. \:3/
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
Pfft, I'm not going to the other room to get my phone for a dumb meme. o_-
25. What does the last text message you received say?
Hey, what'd I just say? >:B
26. Do you chew on your straw?
Naw, I think I'd prefer to blow bubbles in my drink.
27. Do you have curly hair?
Only when I get it permed. Then I could totally do the Shirley Temple look.
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
Bed. X_x
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Oh don't ge me started. :B
30. What was the last thing you ate?
WILD TURKEY SURPRISE.
31. Will you get married in the future?
Now there's a prospect that seems as remote as getting struck by lighting while in a submarine. :B
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
The Corporation
33. Is there anyone you like right now?
Maybe yes, maybe no. :o
34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
I wouldn't have to do the dishes every day if I could get a clone. Then he- I mean, I could... oh wait, that doesn't work.
35. Are you currently depressed?
Not by night. :3
36. Did you cry today?
I cried over spilled milk. :o ...Okay, so maybe I didn't.
37. Why did you answer and post this?
Ked made me. Bitch. >:3
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.
No. No. No. No. No. But I will take volunteers. :3 d
At least the last episode went off with a bit of a high. Well, strictly speaking, they're all of a very high standard, but that last episode that they aired here really kind of struck a chord with me. It was that episode where Hiro, having discovered that his father has been murdered, travels back through time to try to save him from his fate. Taking his father back through time with him in an attempt to make him understand, Hiro unsuccessfully was unable to convince his father to cheat death, and instead it is he who realises that he can not change fate. After both of them return to the night of the murder, Hiro's father explains that he's never travelled through time before and expresses just how proud he is of him. After that, they exchange their farewells for the last time and Hiro leaves his father to confront his last moments.
It probably sounds a little contrite when written out like this, but that final moment that they had together when they said goodbye to each other, well, it was actually quite touching. And it got me thinking, of all things, about the pride a parent can have in their child.
For a long time now, I've always regarded being told that someone is proud of you as generally a negative thing, as odd as that sounds. In the circles that I travel in, and particularly in east Asian culture, parents tend to take a vested interested in the development of their offspring - particularly in the field of academics. Typically, they'll push their kids into a pretty rigorous study regime and then brag to other parents about how well they're doing.
Before I go any further, I'd like to point out that my own folks were pretty cool in this respect, and never really pushed me too hard. 'Course, they didn't let my chronic habit of procrastinating get out of hand either. :3 Other parents and friends of the family on the other hand, well... Some weren't bad either, but some others kinda make me want to keep my distance in that regard. >_>
Anyway, my overall impression, despite some things which might suggest otherwise, was that "proud" was something your parents would say about you to other parents, but never actually say to you directly. In a way, I suppose, "proud" carried with it the connotation of being exploited so that egotistical parents could live vicariously through their kids. Kinda like how television studios are proud of their writing staff. Heh.
As a result, of the times that I did receive it as a compliment in the past, I honestly didn't really know how to take it. On one hand it was a pretty strong showing of another's faith in you, but on the other hand it also kept reminding me of all those other things that I'd come to associate with it that instead of feeling of pride were substituted with feelings of confusion. Because of this, I probably didn't show as much appreciation as I should have and, looking back on it all now, it pains me to think of just how royally I managed to screw that all up. Ah well, hindsight is always 20/20.
I'd like to think that I've got a bit of a fresher perspective on things now than I once had. If I could have my time again, maybe I'd have done things a little differently; but then again, maybe you just can't change fate. Maybe all you can do is learn from the past so that you can open your mind more in the future.
Ah man, and I totally forgot my wireless password today, too. >_> Y'know how sometimes you tell yourself to write something down because you just know that you're going to forget, but then when you need it and realise that you did forget, you just want to smack yourself? Yeah, I'm so there. I could swear I wrote it down somewhere though. _> 1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
Crazy Dan and his crazy camera phone.
2. What were you doing at 0800?
Reaching for the snooze button. 5 more minutes, seriously.
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Trying to guess that damn password. >_>
4. What happened to you in 2006?
Last year is in the past. Leave it alone. >:B
5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
"Yep" as I vowed to resolving the wireless issue by morning.
6. How many beverages did you have today?
Lots. It's very hot here. X_x
7. What color is your hairbrush?
Black. LIKE MY HEART!!!11
8. What was the last thing you paid for?
Lunch. The last substantial thing that I paid for was Super Mario Galaxy. Totally worth it. :D d
9. Where were you last night?
In front of my computer. It beats staring at the wall.
10. What color is your front door?
Brown like wood. Or wood like poop. Oh wait, I think I messed that up. ._.
11. Where do you keep your change?
In a big tin with serrated edges. You want to get to it, you gotta work for it. >:3
12. What’s the weather like today?
Too damn hot. /remove_shirt <- I concur. /remove_pants
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Ferrero-Rocher. You will get fat.
14. What excites you?
Public holidays. ToT And getting to talk to people you want to talk to. :3
15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Probably could do with a trim in the next few weeks or so. But it's still too short to tie up, so it's all good for now. \:3/
16. Are you over the age of 25?
No. Seriously. o_o
17. Do you talk a lot?
Not really, though when I get started, it can be hard to shut me up. >_>
18. Do you watch the O.C.?
Booooring.
19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
A couple back in the day. They weren't quite as cool as Eh! Steve! though.
20. Do you make up your own words?
Naw, I have enough difficulty using real words as it is.
21. Are you a jealous person?
Depends if it's something worth getting jealous about. :o
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
That Andrew guy. \:3/ If that is his real name. :o
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Cake-san. I mean, Kate-san. \:3/
24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
Pfft, I'm not going to the other room to get my phone for a dumb meme. o_-
25. What does the last text message you received say?
Hey, what'd I just say? >:B
26. Do you chew on your straw?
Naw, I think I'd prefer to blow bubbles in my drink.
27. Do you have curly hair?
Only when I get it permed. Then I could totally do the Shirley Temple look.
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
Bed. X_x
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Oh don't ge me started. :B
30. What was the last thing you ate?
WILD TURKEY SURPRISE.
31. Will you get married in the future?
Now there's a prospect that seems as remote as getting struck by lighting while in a submarine. :B
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
The Corporation
33. Is there anyone you like right now?
Maybe yes, maybe no. :o
34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
I wouldn't have to do the dishes every day if I could get a clone. Then he- I mean, I could... oh wait, that doesn't work.
35. Are you currently depressed?
Not by night. :3
36. Did you cry today?
I cried over spilled milk. :o ...Okay, so maybe I didn't.
37. Why did you answer and post this?
Ked made me. Bitch. >:3
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.
No. No. No. No. No. But I will take volunteers. :3 d