Today, I found myself.. (Day 64)

Today, I found myself upon a prelude to the vision.

Out with the Old, In with the New

The Change.

Sometimes we feel the need for change, the need for something different or something new. At that particular micro second in time, what is it that makes us decide that there is a need for replacement, a change?

Sometimes when we reach a particular point in our lives, we are faced with one, if not numerous alternatives towards a certain approach.

Which one will we take? Which path will ultimately satisfy us fully?

Its interesting to see that when we see a need for change, we do it automatically, usually without complains. But what happens when we're forced to change? We detest and resent and we wish that things would stay the same.

Why is this so?

The only explanation I can confer to is simply because we as human beings are largely insecure. No matter who we are, be it a figurehead in society or just an average citizen, I believe that there is a certain sense of fear in changing.

It is a curious thought that people are fearful of change, but when they see a need and automatically initiates that change, that fear is no longer there.

Call it need recognition if you will, but when change is imminent we set off to accomplish the task of change; thus defining the need for change.

I believe that change, is the process in itself. So what is the action of change?

When we see something that is in need of change, when we see a certain weakness in a system or a strategy or more viciously, when we see someone in a different light as before, what do we do?

This feeling is curious and something which I would like to explore deeper and more in depth, but at a later period; partly due to the complexity of the subject and the way in which I would like to explore the subject matter.

More detail will be released in due timing.

Interesting.

Well, the pass couple of weeks were certainly involving to a huge extend; assignments galore. I hardly had time to think about things I would normally ponder over, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on the circumstance.

However, this week saw the completion of a variety of projects and assignments which I (and for the part, various teammates) took on.

Amongst the lot, highlights were probably the (much anticipated) music video production which was required of us for the Storyboard Module.

Well, here it is, after weeks of preparation and (careful) planning, the final product,

"Best I Ever Had", Vertical Horizon. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7QqsoYNKFg)

I must say, though the production was not of top quality (due to time constrains during both editing as well as filming), the final product turned up substantially well.

Personal favorite: flashback scene towards the end of the video.

I'm sure all that planning and conceptualization during pre-production has certainly paid off and I'm especially happy and captivated with the entire concept of the video.

I guess this is the gist of producing the video, the satisfaction yield at the end of everything. When you see the production that you and your team have spent so much time working on, with blood (not really), sweat and tears (not really either) all put in, being shown on the big screen, that satisfaction and feeling is dare I say, an out of this world experience.

Yes, it could have been much much better but hey, there's always room for improvement.

Moving on to more festive insights.

The Chinese New Year must-have, Yusheng.

Well officially, Chinese New Year happened a couple of days back but due to the immerse workload, I had to forgo a majority of the proceedings as a result.

I've never actually been a fan of the festival, to be totally honest, until this year that is. I've never truly understood the significance of the festival nor abode strictly to its traditional beliefs.

But however, that insensitive side of me seem to cease of recent times.

I'm curious to know what the younger generation feel and perceive the new year as. Is it just another festival with an additional 2 days off from school? Or is it the time of the year where money comes in the form of red packets which results in an increased intake in pocket money allowance?

That aside, I'd like to think otherwise.

I feel that Chinese New Year (or any festival for that matter) isn't about red packets, tidbits or gambling while wearing red undergarments.

It is a time for the family; its like the creator's way of reserving time so that people can communicate and bond with their kin.

In our modern society, we are constantly on the go, and our minds turn from being primal to being materialistic as we view food from being a sustenance to a need in every consumer's mind.

Deterioration of the human mind perhaps? Will we still remember the humane side of our well being?

I guess this is where festivals such as Chinese New Year comes in. Whether if its to usher in the lunar new year, or to mark the start of a new chapter, I feel that the underlying purpose ultimately lies with spending time building relationships with the people around you, and appreciating them.

So think again, if you see the upcoming festive holidays as "time away from the office" or "days with no school". I'm sure its much more than just that.

I apologize for the short hiatus currently being put into motion but things should be very much on schedule now that major projects are out of the way.

Be sure to check back for updates and the lot.

Embrace change and stay sharp!

*The production as seen in this post solely belongs to the Drool Bits Production team and any unaccredited references and relevance made to the storyline and its characters will result in undesirable consequences.

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Song of the Post



Now playing: Radiohead - Just
via FoxyTunes

Own Time, Own Target, Own Passion

The Rush of our time.

I've been on a mini hiatus of late due to the immerse amount of school work and commitments. The school semester reaches its end which probably explains the increased workload.

However, the coming towards the end of a semester also means the impending arrival of the holidays and big plans are already set for the coming break. But most importantly, it'll involve you guys, yes you guys, the readers of metallic-stains.

I shan't reveal too much here but do check back for updates, though activity will be largely reduced due to the influx of work.

My apologies for that.

Recently, I've been involved in a myriad of projects; most of which I thoroughly enjoy. There were a couple of prominent ones in the process.

The main highlight of the lot has to be the upcoming music video production where we are supposed to produce our very own music video.

Well, being a Drool Bits Production (the makers of Encode/Decode and "Where are you?"), we have decided to incorporate a few not so common approaches to the execution and feel of the music video production.

Imagine.

No spoilers as yet but all I can say is that our dear Audrey's been hard at work for the pass couple of days.

We're currently in the midst of production and certainly very good stuff along the way so be sure to check back on our progress.

A week or so back saw the release of the O level results and the Polytechnic's Open House. My deepest congratulations to all who did well but for those who feel disappointed for whatever reason, fret not and just follow your dreams no matter what.

It was, in a way, a very nostalgic period for me personally as well. Barely a year ago, I was in that situation whist making the transition from secondary to tertiary education.

Sure, it was an audacious and trying process but I can safely (and happily) say that I've found what I'm looking for.

My tertiary education made me realize that its not about what you do or how well you do it, its about how much do you like doing it.

Many a time in life, we find ourselves doing things which we either don't enjoy, things we are forced into doing or even things which we simply have to do.

This can be dangerous, I feel. I look at the people around me every time I get the opportunity to take the morning bus or train (which is filled with working professionals)and I think its sad to see that they are living their lives with simply "no choice at all" and that they are just "in it for the money"; clearly, they don't enjoy whatever they're doing.

I pondered on the reason for such a phenomenon.

Are we really slaves to the dollars of our pockets in our society?

I'd really hope not.

We live in such a materialistic world and I guess that's the main culprit behind such occurrences. Many individuals give up on their dreams as they are either too radical, impractical or are just able to find a "better" alternative.

While making the transition to tertiary education, I knew that it was there and then which would decide my future and whatever I would probably be doing for the rest of my life.

So thus, here I am now.

While many might not understand why I would lug Audrey around, in search of pictures, compose a 10000 word post or spend day and night working on a particular production or project, I can safely identify the reason.

It just keeps going on, doesn't it?

Its not about the money, its not about the time, its all about personal satisfaction and creative satisfaction.

They say that if you enjoy whatever you're doing, its not considered work anymore.

To an extend, that statement holds its validity but to me, I draw reward from satisfaction.

However, I'm pretty sure that each and every individual will have his or her own form of satisfaction thus I'll post this to you guys out there,

What is Satisfaction to you?

I'll be looking forward to your reactions but in the meantime, reflect and ask yourself if you're truly happy with whatever you're doing with your life as of right now.

If not, how can you improve? If so, how can you keep it up or strengthen this way of living?

For me personally, I feel that the media has not only roused my interest but also has given me a platform to express myself freely and creatively, and in that sense, I find my satisfaction.

No matter how obtuse or eccentric your idea of satisfaction may be, if that's what floats you boat, hey don't let anyone put you down.

Plenty to think about for the time being and be sure to check back regularly for updates and content. Looking forward to all your feedback and comments to the topic.

Metallic-stains will be involved in a major upcoming project though details will be slowly revealed over the weeks.

Keep Chasing those Dreams!

*Unauthorized use of content from this post without the permission of either the owner or the management team of metallic-stains will result in undesirable consequences. For more visual works, feel free to click the external links at Audrey's Playground. Audrey has been hard at work.

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Song of the Post



Now playing: Vertical Horizon - Best I Ever Had
via FoxyTunes

Satisfaction; the Delighted Mother and the Inquisitive Child

My daily bus rides to school are usually filled with a compliment of music from my handphone (through my earphones of course) and the usual reading of my notes.

A couple of days back however, during my usual bus ride to school, something interesting happened and though it may seem like a really normal event, something inside me made ponder about the simplicity and the things that life can bring to us.

Basically what happened was...

As the bus reared around the corner of Anderson Primary school and towards the MRT station's bus stop, the duo who were sitting right in front of me fumbled for the bell button, to signal for the bus to stop.

The little boy, about 3 years of age, eagerly reached for the button while his mother carried him, preventing his fall. A bell tolled near the front of the bus, almost instantly soon after, signalling that the bus will stop at the next station.

I observed the boy's expression with great interest; he was smiling, evidently delighted. Following that, caught a glimpse of his mother's expression; nothing less then what I saw on the boy's facial expression. I saw something that many people nowadays overlook in their daily lives.

I've not observed things like this in a long time. These are little details that we often miss out in our daily lives and sometimes, its good and ideal to take a step back and just relax while observing the various human expressions and behaviour.

But just what was it that I saw?

Satisfaction.

Many a time, our lives are hectic and filled with worldly committments (refer to my previous posts for an elaboration). So much as to contributes to our ignorance, for minor but meaningful observations as such.

However, do not mistake my intentions, for I'm not saying that a life without committments is a good one; a balanced blend of the both is much needed.

So what is Satisfaction?

"The fulfillment or gratification of a desire, need, or appetite" (as cited from dictionary.com)? Well, in a theorical way, I guess that'll float the boat. But I like to think that Satisfication is a state whereby one achieves a desired outcome out of a certain action.

At around 5:45AM on Thursday morning, Manchester United won the Champions League (refer to my earlier post, once again). Yes, I watched the match but what I was looking forward to was the celebrations at the end of the game (and of course to see United win).

To me, the pinnacle of satisfaction comes when you've put in an immerse amount of effort into a particular action or endeavour. As such in United's case, I'm really sure that they put in their due effort just to achieve their due reward; a double of titles (BPL and Champions League titles).

The scale of satisfaction however, holds no boundaries. I personally feel that satisfaction is a set quantity; it depends on how the individual views the subject matter.

What this means is that the satisfaction of winning the Champions League (for example), is comparable to say, overcoming a phobia for instance. This is subjective though as not everyone might feel this way. Commonly, the amount or rather, level of satisfaction one gets from a particular action depends on the amount of effort (as mentioned).

To me however, cleaning up my room or even helping our in the dishes wields the same amount of satisfaction as to say, finishing up my assignments. Weird but true.

We must not underestimate the value of satisfaction. Strange as it may sound, this is evident in the world we're living in, especially due to the high demands that the society has on us; we are never satisfied totally.

In a way, this is a good thing as it spurs us on to greater heights and to perform pass our benchmark. But when the time comes to reap our rewards, we should go all out and not dwell on our weaknesses.

Satisfaction can act as a motivation. A motivation to do better, a motivation to improve. In that sense, satisfaction is Powerful.

When one is satisfied with something, we should strive to do better and achieve the same level of satisfaction or better for the future projects. In doing so, working it to our advantage.

So lets open up our social filters and view the world with an open eye. Only then will we find our drive and motivation to achieve greater things.