Thus Spoke Zarathustra

No, it's not the time yet. God is not dead yet, and supermen have not yet ruled the earth. But this is an overdue post that came up right after our group meeting on Pre-Biotic Chemistry II. For the unenlightened, scientists- in this context, chemists- have always been interested in figuring out the origins of life, the possibility of design, why the world is made this way and not that way and so on. The findings reported so far have hinted on the possibility of self-replicating and self-amplifying world, ie. peptides replicating themselves through a 'template' or achiral materials getting enantioenriched over time (Curiously, a large portion of the people involved in this area of chemistry work in the vicinity of San Diego, such as Joyce, Ghadiri or Eschenmoser). One could imagine that if such processes would go on for a very long period of time, a world such as what we have is not entirely impossible- the accuracy of the time frame might be debatable, but that's another story-, all it needs is just the 'templates' to be there. This could easily be a springboard for a plethora of other questions: Does the choice of the base pairings found in our DNA: adenine, guanine, thymine, cytosine arise arbitrarily or by necessity? Is everything that we have on the molecular level right now: our DNA, RNA, amino acids (Why those 20?) the so-called thermodynamic minimum so that life couldn't have existed otherwise? Ultimately, we are led to the design vs evolution argument; do we actually need to invoke the involvement of a pair of 'invisible hands' or do all these things happen through evolution, through survival of the fittest? That nature picks what we have in the world right now through some kind of sublation?
Sartre once said, "Men are condemned to be free." One day, perhaps, we will be able to confidently say, "Nature is condemned to be free."

Helmut Lang A/W 08

I'm in love! With my latest addition of a pair of J Brand low-rise 14" Cigarette Legs, my wardrobe has to expand so I can create new outfits. Not that I have nothing to match really.. But didn't we learn the very first concept in Economics - unlimited wants? Besides, I need to do my part to boost the terribly declining retail sector! Excuses..

Every piece of Helmut Lang I have come across so far, I love. Simple designs with clean cut lines in basic colors but with an attitude. Took me a lot of courage to wear my first piece - long-sleeved side zipper drapey collared black cotton jacket - but I simply love it today. Now that Fall has officially arrived, this awesome piece saves my day. Since the design is so simple, yet carries a 'tude, it goes with practically anything and there is no need to accessorize! You just have to be in the mood. 

Counting the days to Oct 10, I am keeping my eyes peeled for these two cardigans. I honestly prefer to striped one better. There is a snap button right at the waist on the left-side of the cardigan, which converts it into a dress. Two outfits in one. Simply fantabulous! In the day it can be worn as a cardigan, and at night, a dress with a simple pair of tall boots! I can't wait..

When 9 Pins Fall But 1..

As much as I consider myself as being detached from the bowling scene back in Singapore, I nonetheless still care about the people who played an integral in my bowling days.  It was after all the environment I grew up in.  One of the most respected people I know in bowling is my dearest coach, Uncle AK.  

In a recent article, The New Paper wrote about his derogatory disciplinary methods, and attempted to link his stepping down as head coach to it.  After reading the article, it suddenly hit me that I am still not over bowling totally.  I recall the days Uncle AK would call me "big backside" with a straight face.  I learnt to be a better bowler so that people remember me for my bowling, and not my physical traits.  After all, he said it to stir up that drive within me, and he was being sarcastic.  I never got sarcasm back then, and I still don't fare well in that respect now haha.  

With the sports school's rapid expansion, and more young children recruited into the sport, more parents get themselves unnecessarily involved with the sport.  Some things simply never change - parents having so much to comment about, thinking that they are always right in knowing what is best for their children.  What they do not realize is that while this is a competitive sport, their children are still growing up.  Playing a sport should be fun.  Yes, it should not just be fun such that one lacks dedication, but it definitely should not seem like it is one's career and that one's future depended on how well one performs then.  

Generation after generation, it seems as though every year, the batch of children get more and more pampered.  Not to mention, parents themselves seem to have become more protective over their children's "welfare".  I recall the Sundays I would start training with my peers at the bowling alley, by sliding around in a circle and swinging our bowling arm.  Then we would start with balancing on one foot at the foul line and rolling our balls, followed by starting a slide away, then a step and a slide.... until we reached the normal starting position.  Drills.  Tough as they may be, they serve a good purpose.  They help create some kind of muscle memory so that one's body can perform the drill instinctively.  They also help in disciplining the bowler to keep practicing to improve one's technique.  I used to have to carry a 13 lb bowling ball on my left arm, and bowl with another 13 lb ball with my right.  I even had to wear a wrist weight and ankle weight back then!  Sounds ridiculous?  It was the only way to help me train to maintain a good balance and increase my arm power!

All I had to say to dear Uncle AK is that he doesn't have to care about what other people think.  His students remember him for his great training and disciplining skills, and we are all thankful for having nurtured us to become good athletes and disciplined people.  His teaching methods go a long way, and do not only apply to the sport itself.  Most of all, he'll always have our support and will always be close to our hearts. 

Ecce Homo

Yup, behold the man: Gian Lorenzo Bernini, my all-time favorite sculptor. We had a lab excursion to the Getty today, and I was especially excited because I would get to see a special exhibition of Bernini's baroque portrait sculptures (I will blog on baroque some other time, because I need time to formulate what I want to say). True enough, the marble sculptures do not disappoint, most of them replete with Bernini's characteristic attention to details and realism which make them more fluid as opposed to cold, expressionless facade. This, to me, is best epitomized by Bernini's Ecstasy of St. Theresa- Notice the almost orgasmic expression on St. Theresa's face (Yes, I know it's kind of wrong to use the word orgasmic on a divine figure, but I feel like this is the closest English word I can find to convey the message)























And here's another example of unparalleled realism of Bernini's work, found in the Rape of Proserpina- notice the marks that were left on the flesh by the hand as it presses on? Indeed, as a friend of mine once said, "God is in the details"































In any case, I bought and really recommend this book on Bernini by Rudolf Wittkower as it contains a pretty good pictorial summary of his works :)

Bloomingdales on Pre-Sale!!!

Go shop shop shop!

Fruits Of My Road Trip With Grigori

Going on road trips on impulse is definitely the way to go. On Friday night when everyone else was drunk, Greg and I decided that it will be great to run away from State College to VA (4 hours away). I whooped out my weekender, and stuffed it with 2 day outfits, underwear, makeup, matching shoes, toiletries, phone charger. I had to tote my black Coach since it was the easiest match :) And in 30 mins *VROOOM VROOOM* we were on the road. 

Arrived at 6AM, and was desperately looking for a place to stay. Ended up at Econolodge. Woke up at 10AM and we were ready to go shopping! Had dimsum at 7 corners for lunch :) Then headed to Tysons!

Mind you, I didn't have my credit card with me, and this is everything I bought. I bought everything on discount and I'm so pleased with myself haha. Bought the Stuart Weitzman at 60% off, Kenneth Cole at 20% off, and not too sure about the rest. 

Hope baby Lucia loves her new outfit!

The Grotesque Burlesque Drag

Continuing with the black theme, here's a short video feature of Shaun Leane from Style.com. His words pretty much sum it up: Traditional craftsmanship look and feel with a macabre twist.



Moving along the macabre line, here are some jewellers with similar aesthetics: Werkstatt:Muenchen, Stephen Webster and Ugo Cacciatori