July 12th, 2005 by Eshin
You would think that with the media-induced panic frenzy that was SARS, people would be slightly more receptive to the idea of basic hygiene. Of course, Hong Kong is one of those places where they go nuts over the latest trend so it’s reasonable to assume that once SARS became less popular, so too did all the nice practices of personal, hygienic courtesy.
Tissues in taxis is setting this post off. I just hate those inconsiderate cunts who decide that the best place to put their used tissues is in the handle of the door of the taxis. So, the next passenger, who pulls the handles to shut the door, unsuspectingly has to touch the tissue.
In a country where the fine is HK$1,500 for littering, I think they should up the penalty for these tossers to HK$5,000. Yep, same as smoking in a non-smoking place.
July 8th, 2005 by Eshin
Phil over at Flying Chair has a very, very good post about the bombings in London. Nothing should change after these bombings in the UK. By changing the pattern of our lives, we’ve already let them win. It was perhaps lost on me for a short time while I was frantically trying to recieve word about anything that was going on in London. Is my despise driven previous post a part of me being more angry about terrorism because it happened in the UK? No, it is merely a reflection of what I have always felt. Do I give the terrorists an easy time, and Furious George a harder time of it? No, I hate terrorists no matter their creed, colour or religious beliefs. What I hate about Furious George and the Americans et al, is that they’ve chosen to succumb to the fear that the terrorists want them to feel.
Perhaps the only good that can come of this incident in London is a reminder of that. Living in London during the threat of IRA bombs, living in fear was not an option. It sounds surprisingly cheesy, but truly fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. Shall I hate those that kill indiscriminately for the purposes of terror? I shouldn’t, but I have always despised those that strike from the shadows. The IRA. ETA. The PLO. All I can muster is not letting them change my way of life.
But the truly noble amongst us will be able to let go of the hate because by hating and fearing, we let them win not only body by body but they win us down through spiritual attrition.
July 8th, 2005 by Eshin
It’s pissing me off. Americans die and it hits the news networks like there is no tomorrow. London suffers a terrorist attack and the fucking Chinese channels are still running the stories they bloody planned for earlier for in the day. Now, I’m not one to revel in the gory details, but being a Londoner, I’m sick with bloody worry of news from my hometown.
I’m angry at this but it could have been worse. I know I should feel angry at those that started this war, but watching Tony Blair giving a press statement with Furious George standing behind him on his right hand side was wrong. All I can think is that now people I grew up with, lived with, know and love could have paid a high price for dragging us into his stupid war on terrorism. Furious George is quoted as saying “the war on terror continues”. You bastard. Your war on terrorism should never have been our war on terror. And Blair, you spineless American lackey, you brought this on London by fighting other people’s wars.
Terrorists, you have only made it worse for yourself though. You will be caught. You will be tried and sentenced with a fair trial. You will probably rot in jail in isolation, reluctantly protected by people that hold themselves to a higher moral standard that you will ever know. If the SAS does come knocking on your door, please do put up a fight so that you will die a swift death. Know that those that killed you are professionals and in all likelihood offer you the swift death free from the terror and the suffering that you yourself have caused.
This is not a time to be divided, fear and discrimination is not the way forward for London. We outlasted the IRA with stoic dignity, and I pray that London will continue to do so in the face of this adversity. Are we to behave like savages and indiscriminately lash out at those who different from us? We have the tools in place for justice and retribution, which will eventually be dealt out to those perpetrated this acts of cowardice. One almost wishes for dear old Maggie to be back in power. She would have made this a certainty. Blair’s spinelessness only makes this uncertain. Do your duty Tony, for Britain. Not America.
July 7th, 2005 by Eshin
It’s been near to impossible to get hold of anyone I know in London. Sent an email to most people I know (and of whom I’ve got their email address) but inevitably I won’t have reached everyone. Can anyone who knows me, let me know that they alright?
I wish the best to everyone in London and all the strength in the face of this adversity.
July 4th, 2005 by Eshin
I guess I can post this up now since it won’t be directed to anyone in particular. One of my pet hates is people being late. I actually hate it when I’m late myself, just so that you don’t get the impression that I’m saintly punctual.
I think the reason why it bothers me is that it’s so disrespectful. By arriving late, you are using up time that I could have spent otherwise. Yep, that’s right. You’re wasting my time. Essentially, the gripe kicks in when you realise that by wasting my time, you are thinking that your time is more important than mine. Sure, time management skills or a lack of them can be blamed, but you don’t have a problem meeting your boss on time or catching that flight for your holiday, right?
I think I’ll start a policy of leaving if I’m waiting for more than half an hour for someone.
