My eyes have always, followed you, around the room

It's fascinating, and a little bit strange, that when I learn to play and/or sing a song, I seem to connect to it so much better than when I just passively listen to it.

I think it may have something to do with me actually actively feeling the lyrics and the music. It just all seems to mean so much more. I kind of start understanding the lyrics, and seeing all the little nuances and subtleties in the music.

This bout of reflection was brought about by me learning how to play 'If I Had A Gun' by Noel Gallagher earlier today.

The structure of the song, in tandem with the arrangement of the lyrics, is actually quite different and clever. Very subtle stuff going on.

I've heard the song quite a few times. I just never really actively absorbed.



On that note, some of my favourite lyricists:

• Noel Gallagher
• Chris Martin
• John Mayer
• Jay-Z

Coincidentally, they also write nice melodies (except, obviously, Jay). 

Their lyrics are very clever, subtle, and take a few listens to understand what's going on. I'd like to contrast them to, say, Eminem, Lil Wayne, Green Day, and Bruno Mars. While their songs may be ok (some more ok than others), their lyrics are somewhat plain and blunt. James Blunt. 

Back to real life. 

So yesterday, I went to see Victory play Gold Coast at the AAMI.

The stadium was quite impressive, but practical at the same time. Quite modern, but not ugly modern like Fed Square. The seats were much, much closer to the action than at the Etihad. Made for a much better viewing experience. 

The game itself was a thriller, but a bit disappointing from Victory's perspective. Any way you look at it, conceding two while being two up against the team that's propping up the bottom of the ladder is poor, even if you only have 10 men. Anyway, they got there in the end, which I guess is a positive. 

They also played a lot better than I expected they would. Very little hoofball, and they actually passed it along the ground. 

All in all, a pretty enjoyable afternoon out. 

Also, Arsenal drew with Fulham, and van Persie didn't score. Coincidence? Maybe. However, the winning streak and the scoring streak had to end sometime. I just wish it wasn't at the same time.

Word of the Day: Nuances

A proverb charges money to do what an amateur verb does for free

Just to add to what I wrote up late last night, my good friends also have a certain amount of intelligence. Which ties in with making me laugh, because, in my opinion, to be verbally funny requires a very high level of intelligence.

Anyway, I'm going to articulate another thought that I've had for a long time.

See, people always quote these proverbs. Things like "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind," or "Money can't buy you happiness." I dislike it when people quote these kind of sayings to me. Proverbs like these are just dumb. They can't be proven, and are way too general and extreme.

Let's take the latter proverb, for example. See, I would say that, while money in and of itself doesn't make you happy, it certainly goes a long way to making you happy. Case in point being the guy on the street without a dollar in his pocket. Ask him how happy he is. However, I believe the guy who has millions of dollars in the bank account wouldn't be too happy either if he had nobody to love, and nobody to love him. I believe that a more appropriate saying would be something like "Money isn't the end all and be all in life, but it's certainly good to have, amongst other things, such as friends, love, and fun." But of course, this doesn't fit neatly into a few words, so generalisations and blanket terms must be used.

Also, other ones which are more wishful thinking than actual observations, and their subsequent application when something happens that actually fits the saying. Things like "What goes around comes back around." I wish that were the case too. Unfortunately, from observation, most of the time it isn't. I see people who are complete jerks scoring good jobs, girls, and unconditional adoration from 90% of the world. And then, there are times when they get their come-uppance, and you think "They had that coming." But that's just us fitting that isolated incident into this neat little proverb.

Yes, I realise that I may be over-analysing. But the people who quote these things to me started it. They treat these things as their own personal little bible, like they are correct and incontrovertible in every instance.

There are sayings that actually make sense, and can actually be found to exist in this world of ours, and they are pure gold. My favourite is one that my dad quotes sometimes, and is Chinese. It goes something along the lines of (rough translation coming up):

Firstly, you have to help yourself. Then other people can help you. Then the heavens can help you.

It's absolutely beautiful in Chinese. It's summarise in six characters, three of which are repeated. Say what you like about Chinese, about how hard it is, and confusing, or whatever, but it can be a very poetic language.

This proverb I find to be true. You can see it in everyday life. You have to pull your own weight, do your own work, try your best, before other people can help you, and before luck can go your way. I'm not saying it's always the case, but how many people do you see winning the lottery, and have never done any hard work in their life? A few more that are observable and that I like are:

No bird soars to high if he soars with his own wings

William Blake, I believe that was.

And one to finish off from Chris Martin. Obviously not a proverb, but still. This one applies to me, but it may not apply to you. I like to believe that it touches a spot deep within everybody, because I like to believe that most people have hearts, and feel love sometimes. Possibly one of my all-time favourite quotes. And yes, I have quoted it numerous times.

It's weird that whatever else is on your mind, whether it's the downfall of global economics or terrible environmental troubles, the thing that always gets you most is when you fancy someone.

Word of the Day: Proverb

A bit of quoteage

Monday seriously cannot come quick enough.

I've been meaning to study, and work, and stuff, but it just hasn't been happening. Bad study habits, developed as a result for being a semi-genius in primary school and early secondary school. Or I like to think that. It's a better than just admitting that I just have issues getting started on work, and I procrastinate far too much. Like, I look for novel ways to procrastinate. Blogging, for instance. And that's unintentional procrastination. It begs the question: how often do I procrastinate intentionally.

But things should start getting good from Monday, starting with dinner at Linda Gao's, where I'll be acting as the resident taxi driver/chef/waiter. According to Meng, acting in the capacity of a taxi driver automatically makes my name Sanjay. Every time I hear that name, I think of the chubby Indian kid in the year below us at Melbourne High, who I saw at Sofia's once.

Anyway, an update on the Ultimate Man project. A description of the Ultimate Man project can be found here.

I'm making more money than I ever have. My friends are mostly cool with me. I'm getting along fine and dandy with my family. I've discarded people in my life who have been detrimental to me. I have a car. I'm tanker than I have been in living memory. I got into the interview stage of KPMG, who incidentally still haven't contacted me yet. So the only things that are missing from this picture, at this point in time, is a girl, and getting tanker. Weird how the first is probably the most important, and hardest to attain, section of the project, and the latter takes consistent, frequent dedication and time commitment. As someone once said:

Nothing worth having comes easy.

It's great. It's almost on par with this quote, which is also very relevant:

It's weird that whatever else is on your mind, whether it's the downfall of global economics or terrible environmental troubles, the thing that always gets you most is when you fancy someone.

Thank-you, Chris Martin. I love that quote. I think I actually came up with it before hearing about it, but he's more famous, so he gets it out there first. Damn thief.

So I'm still working on the project. Fun times in prospect.

Word of the Day: Project