I must confess...

I didn't quite "come to realize" this so much as I have merely pondered this subject as of late. Chatting is such a massive waste of time for me. Now before you guys roll your eyes so hard that they practically fall out of your sockets, hear me out, okay?

Four hours of "precious" time can easily go by when sitting in front of the computer, typing away as I converse with friends over MSN/ICQ. For instance, I was chatting with a friend once around 10:00 p.m., and I realized that four hours still remained before I would get cut off. "Four hours?!" he said. "That's a lot of time. We're not going to be able to chat for that long!" At 2:00 a.m., as I was about to be cut off, our conversation was still going strong. The conversation didn't concern any constructive or important matters, but heck. Chatting is chatting is chatting. There went four hours of my life down the drain.

So you may have guessed that it's not the first time. Ha! By far, I tell you. Will I actually act upon this to correct my habits? Probably not. I suppose it's quite trivial, for ME at least, as to why chatting is so addictive. Again, for ME at least. Everyday I get a good dose of clickity-clacking on my keyboard, annoying the heck out of my dad until he's literally ready to sh'it a brick. He can't stand the way that I type. I can't help it though - you can't blame me for typing fast but extremely loudly.

I suppose that ridding myself of this addiction really would free up a lot of time for me to do other things. Like...find another bad habit. Ha.

Seriously though. I believe, if anything, sleeping earlier would do me a lot of good. I don't get cut until 2:00 a.m. each night/morning, and, being me, I obviously don't shut down the computer until then - if not later.

I should eat my words though. I know that I won't take corrective measures. Hence, I'll shut up now.

Rest in peace, dear bird

Some of you will know that I've always been somewhat frightened by the presence of pigeons. However, this morning, as I was waiting at the bus platform, I witnessed the gruesome death of one of these innocent birds.

I had just stepped off of my initial ride. Casually strolling over to the designated waiting area, I took my place in line. Pigeons are a common sight at the station, you see. To see one standing by the curbside, pecking at crumbs and random food morsels, usually serves as amusement or a distraction for us commuters.

On this fateful morning though, that tan-coloured pigeon really, really, REALLY should have watched its back. It stood no more than 3-4 metres away from me. Normally I don't pay much attention to these birds. They scare me. Not in a ferocious way, like a rabid dog. Its moreso due to the nervous flapping of their wings, the possibility of being defecated on, and their lack of fear towards humans that makes ME somewhat jittery to be around them. You should see me when I head downtown.

As I glanced over in its direction, the pigeon's actions caught my attention. It stood there, its body in semi-writhing motion, as it repeatedly extended its neck in an up and down motion - almost resembling an exaggerated swallowing action. I was somewhat perplexed. Commuting almost daily on the bus, this peculiar behaviour had never been observed before. Next to the bird, sat a pile of yellow, pebble-like morsels. I soon realized that the bird was choking on whatever it had just swallowed.

At that moment, a bus rolled into the bay and parked a metre away from where the bird was standing. As passengers gradually emptied from the bus, I watched as the bus driver prepared to drive away. Within those two split seconds, I realized the fate that lay ahead for that poor pigeon. This situation was different from others. Birds normally flee in fear, or instinctively at least, when approached - let alone by a gigantic bus. This helpless pigeon was too distracted to realize that it was in danger. Either that, or it was unable too. Can you imagine having to run or flee from an assailant, per se, while choking on a jawbreaker?

The bus roared up and began to roll forward. I watched tensely as the pigeon continued to struggle and not take flight. The front wheels began rolling. It just missed the helpless bird. Of course, I spoke too soon. Actually, I thought too soon. The hind wheels hadn't passed yet.

I saw a pigeon explode today.

The worst part, you ask? It didn't die an instantaneous death.

I'm tired, but I can't sleep now.

Delayed itching

At first, thinking that I had been extremely fortunate, I happily exclaimed upon return that I had not been bit by any mosquitos and/or flying insects. Little did I know that, heh, I would soon have to eat my words.

I was sitting at dinner telling my family all about the wonders of getting lost in the boonies at 1:30 a.m., when an itch began to irritate me just above my right ankle. It was nothing uncommon, so I leaned down to scratch it. On I went, continuing to tell my tale. Less than two minutes later, the itch returned. This time, as I reached for my ankle, a tiny and what seemed to be semi-swollen bump was felt. I had discovered my first mosquito bite from the trip.

Soon enough, I was kept busy relieving another itch on my left shin. Then another on the left side of my neck, and yet another near my right shoulder.

I really should have worn bug spray. What was I thinking? There were flying insects swarming around me from left and right. You would think that at least ONE of them would be a mosquito??

Fortunately, I wasn't bit by a black fly. Robertha tells me that it's quite the painful experience.

Now the question is: why did it take me so long to discover these bites?

Long-sleeved clothing it is from this point on. Ha. Who am I kidding? Pscht. Summer's here - if not, just around the corner! I shall celebrate it the proper way; minimal clothing and all the bites I can endure!! =)
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Okay, maybe I'll take back that last part, or soon enough I'll deplete my local pharmacy's supply of calamine lotion faster than you can say "wha-pah!"

A new beginning

...A different approach. Rants. Ponderings. Even musings, if you will.

This is the new blog that I've been working on for quite some time now. Initially, I was even designing my own layout with the help of a friend. However, I'm sure most of you know that my HTML skills are quite limited to guessing what the turnout will be when I tinker with values in the code. Being unable to achieve the layout that I had conjured up in my head, I finally decided to scrap it and go with this very nice default template that has been supplied by Blogger.

My other blog isn't being replaced by this one. I will still continue to post there. However, the content and stuff written here won't consist of the everyday recaps and the detailed what-did-I-do-today's that you guys are all accustomed to. You'll see.

So, here's to a new beginning, a fresh start, and a new place for me to have fun! *cheers*