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Solace of the Shadows
Thursday, February 10, 2005
What is it with the human fascination of declaring holidays and occasions for themselves.
Chinese New Year is like one big travesty to me. Every year in the past, when the time came around, the feeling of dread welling up in me knowing that i'd have to make the ritualistic journey down to my Aunt's place for "reunion dinner". Somehow that phrase seems incongruous to the reality of what takes place. Gossiping and bitching and hypocrisy make its way around the table and household more often than the bowls of rice do. It sickened me to no end hearing such things. When i was young i had wondered why my relatives would speak of such things the way they did, pass comments about this relative or that, usually about how useless he/she was or what trouble he/she had gotten themselves into etc. Never praising, never about something good which happened to another. Then comes the typical practice of making comparisons between the children, trying to outdo each other.
What is CNY supposed to be celebrating, again?
I was coming home after training with my dad and as we approached the lift lobby, peices of trash started to drift by in the wind, spreading its filth all over the lift lobby. Here and there, we could see trash littered over the entire lift lobby and void deck. I turned and spotted the source of it. Some friggin selfish family had done their wonderful CNY spring cleaning, cleansing their beloved abode of all the crap inside, and conveniently dumping everything downstairs, like nobody would notice, leaving the poor cleaner to dispose of their FILTH in a proper manner. Sounds very much like someone putting the blame (burden) on others doesn't it? The irony of cleaning what you want to and soiling everything else around you. Like a dog taking a piss on a fire hydrant.
Chinese New Year, the time to recieve and collect as many ang paos as possible. Yes, lets all teach our youths to extort (legally). Like some competition, who can cash in the greatest sum of money. And then what do you do with it? Why, the good ol' CNY tradition of GAMBLING it away, of course! Why not play mahjong, blackjack, daidee, poker and blow it all off? It doesn't matter if you're 5 yrs old or 50, it's all in the name of good immoral fun!
What are we celebrating again?
The news recently featured a story on how car sales have hit the roof during this CNY period. Apparently, Chinese are rushing to get themselves new cars in time for the festive period. Whether or not they need it. People spending lavishly in a show of self-indulgence, all for what purpose? To parade and display themselves in everything new and sparkly, basking in all its glory.
Isn't this supposed to be the year of the rooster and not the peacock?
Heck, it doesn't end there. But it doesn't serve any purpose to go on further. I wonder, if Singaporeans and our wonderful individualistic culture have completely distorted the purpose of celebrating this occasion or is it like this everywhere else in the world? If so, there ain't no friggin way you'd find me in China during this period. (Why the hell i'd go to China for any reason at all is beyond me too).
I guess there would be good things to say about CNY. But it's overwhelmed by everything else not in its favour. If you have celebrated CNY enjoyably in your own traditional fashion, then congratulate yourself and help yourself to more sausages and dumplings. If you're offended, then you're probably guilty.
I could go on, but ranting is tiring. Have a good weekend folks.
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