I will be the pattern of all patience; I will say nothing.

Happy Year of the Monkey
Well, the Year of the Goat is finally over, let me check if my luck will improve this year.

Well, according to Chinese Astrology Online, I’ll be luckier in the earlier half of the year. Especially in February and March. We’ll see if I win the lottery.

Where’s the Party?
Well, it seems that it is right downstairs, at Chinatown. The music began at 10pm or so, and it’s still going on now. Are they ever going to shut up?

Caught the fireworks though:

Shakey, even with a tripod

I managed to steady the tripod somewhat, but it isn’t perfect

There were more fireworks, even closer to where I was, but by that time, I decided that I was just going to watch it instead of fumbling over the camera. It was good. I ended up with 76 shots, with more than half shakey, or blank. Ah well.

Excuse Me
Great, stuck visiting relatives tomorrow. That’s the dumbest part of Chinese New Year. If I really wanted to see my relatives, I wouldn’t wait till some festival dictates so. I don’t see them other times of the year because I choose to, and I hate it that tradition (and my mother) insist that I do it. While I’m at it, I should think of nice little retorts to the endless stream of stupid questions that will fly my way.

When are you getting married? When’s your turn? When are you going to start giving angpows instead of receiving them?
a) When the cows come home
b) When they legalise gay marriages in Singapore
c) When I stop getting asked stupid questions

So what are you doing? Still at the same job?
a) Goofing off, and yes, it’s the same job
b) It’d take you too long to understand, and you’re in the way of the food
c) Does it matter? Every year I tell you the same thing and you forget anyway

So does your company make money or not? How can it survive on advertising?
a) I don’t know
b) And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you cos you won’t understand what I do and I’d have to explain it, and I’d rather be eating something
c) Even if it didn’t, it’s not like you could find me an alternative (you didn’t for the last 3 New Years)?
d) If you were smart enough to understand what it is I do for a living, you won’t have to ask me this. So let’s not waste everyone’s time and pretend that 1) you’re concerned for my well being and 2) you know what you’re talking about*

* I think this reply will be a hit at any party

Wah, long time no see…
a) There is a reason for that
b) I’ve been busy… avoiding you
c) That’s why I’ve been happy

Or I could just head for the Bak Kua and ignore the casual conversation. Let’s see how I feel tomorrow. I’ve had quite enough of this for a few years now, and I’m doubly sore I couldn’t go away this New Years to get away from it. Perhaps if I retort badly at the Q-and-A’s this year, I won’t have to do it again next year.

The Road Ahead
I hope the year works out like I think it will. Already looming in the not too distant future are so many things that I didn’t think would come to pass yet. I guess that’s the thing about being comfortable. But change is good. If I don’t take the steps now, I’ll never do it, and I’ll end up bitching about it the rest of my life, I just know it!

This year, I’ll grab the monkey by its tail and see where it lands me and I’ll blog it as I go along.