R.I.P Gary Speed

When I opened the Daily Mail a few days ago, the first article that came up was the news of Gary Speed's passing. 

To say it was shocking would be a terrible understatement. 

Total disbelief filled me. I sat, hunched, over my tiny Macbook Air (this post was not paid for by Apple, sigh) staring at the screen for a good half minute*, thinking this was a terrible misprint. 

It wasn't. 

I never knew the guy, of course, but his passing did affect me after the article mentioned he committed suicide. When he was still a football player, there was no reported incidents of him causing debauchery on and off the pitch. He was always portrayed as the model footballer; dedicated to the game and utterly loving every minute of it. The word on his death is depression. Depression? This man had a glowing career as a player, is on the rise as manager of Wales, has a lovely wife and two children, yet, was apparently afflicted with depression. I can't even begin to fathom what the family is going through right now but I wish them well in their time of privacy. 

On the outside, all seemed well, but it seems the truth is far from that. It is really sad, no? You have the world in your hands yet to have such an illness coursing through your being, rearing its ugly head every now and then must be tormenting. When I get depressed, I shrug my shoulders and laugh it off. Even if it's something major, nothing will keep me dwelling on it for long. 

There is now a circular from the Football Association going around their members the effects of depression. This is a very good effort from them as depression can strike at anyone, regardless of their well-being. 

I've seen how mild depression can afflict a person and even then it was very difficult for me to help this person who happens to be a dear friend. It's saddening and the helplessness of it all is something I wish upon no-one.

Football has lost a talent but it's his family that will feel the lost the most. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Speed family. 

This is Chris, signing off. 

P.S. I apologise if there is some satire in this post. I originally intended for this to be a rather sombre and serious affair but I've always viewed death as a time of reflecting and celebrating one's life, mourning can be done in private.

*The last time I did that was because I was looking at my current crush, Gillian Jacobs, from the brilliant show, Community)

Marriage made in Hollywood.

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore are no more (a pun, indeed).

Big surprise.

Kim Kardashian and some giant marry then divorce within months of getting hitched.

Big surprise.

The more outrageous, the more lavish, the more storm of press a wedding gets these days from Hollywood the more likely said wedding will have a chance of lasting about as long as me having to eat after a vigorous workout session.

About 30 minutes. And that's just me after an Arms session*.

I've always viewed marriage as committing yourself to someone that you love and cherish and will do anything to make your partner happy. "Get married for the right reasons" is what I've always maintained. What is with them and getting married after meeting for a week over cheap drinks and tapas? You know, when things are getting serious they'll start "shopping"** for a place together. A nest for them to come home to and roost.

Then, they break up after 2 months, citing incompatible ideals thus selling their pad for a cool couple of bucks. Well, millions are cool for them, mere mortals like you and I would be jumping for joy if we had a quarter of it.

Marriage in America is akin to their burgers; full of promise and wonder but ultimately loaded with fat and grease that you no longer want anymore.

This is Chris, signing off. 

P.S. Speaking of burgers, man, I want me one.

*If I do Back, Chest or Legs, it'll be 15 minutes. I kid you not.
**Honestly, celebrities "shopping" for a new place is depressing. It's as though they are shopping for socks.

It's been a while, no?

Wow, time has passed real quick. For one, I no longer am the emo bugger that used to well-up at the mere mention of "Family", "Malaysia", "Food". (I do well-up if I see my family's picture. Or when I see Malaysian food.) Last post of mine was in July. July! My goodness, I used to get all pissy and agitated if I didn't post something by the week and here I am, posting something 4 months later.

But, better late than never, right?

The reasons why I haven't been blogging:

• Work - Ever since I started work in Singapore, my once mundane work life is no more. 
• Gym - Lifting weights + After working hours + Late dinners = Massive mushy brain. 
• My English is crap - One of my favourite things in the world is to read. Sadly, and painfully to admit, reading has taken a back seat. A back seat all the way back of Chris's Bus of Things to Do. The free time that I had was either taken up by the PS3 or watching Arrested Development. However, I am happy to say that I am picking up books again and reading them. Yes, reading! And not just looking at the cover and wishing I was reading them but actual reading! With my eyes! Okay, enough of the abuse of !. Seriously, though, I find that my having not reading has deteriorated my English. When I read, I would check the grammar, the punctuations, and so on. Heck, even on Facebook I cringe whenever I post something as innocuous as a one-liner as it will inconceivably be grammatically wrong. I am happy to announce that I am starting to pick up reading again and it's a joy. Not to mention my grammar has somewhat been saved from the sharks of imbecility. 

I don't know when my next post will be but I hope it won't be four months down the road. I wish everyone well and stay beautiful!

This is Chris, signing off. 

P.S. Yes, I've actually had to dumb-down my English here in Singapore. Can you believe that?