Temporal Paralysis

The word ‘temporal’ has three meanings: 1.) it defines a sense of impermanence (in relation to time), 2.) it refers to the temporal lobes in the brain that controls auditory processing, semantics and long-term memory, and 3.) it refers to the secularist/civil nature of things, compared to an ecclesiastical nature. (Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/temporal)

Therefore, “Temporal Paralysis” is a triple entendre.

About The Website

This website is a repository of my thoughts and opinions in the various hobbies I took up over the years. Much of my content revolves around the following themes:

Anime/Manga/Games

My first digital hobby is gaming. Unfortunately I don’t game like most of my peers do, but I appreciate a bit or two of talking and discussing about games in general. I find that most of my youth is spent on the Internet, really, and gaming is something I usually read online, rather than actually play the game. (It’s all because of the “upgrade hell” that is the constant urge to upgrade the PC components.)

I keep up with gaming trends as and when I find it interesting to read. As age creeps me on, I game less, and appreciate the other things in life.

Now, talking about anime or manga is something akin to being a hipster, because that’s what most people are now watching or reading: it’s the coolest Japanese cultural export to the Internet generation! I digress.

I owned some collection of anime DVDs and manga, but it’s not great to call it so.

Alright, to be honest, I am now neither into gaming, watching anime nor reading manga. Reason: my interests died down, after being at the receiving end of the Odex saga. Times have changed, and people moved on, but I knew that this hobby no longer holds interest in my ever-aging self. I never got hold of certain aspects of being an otaku, and due to a quarter-life crisis that I may never confirm with a qualified psychiatrist, probably things just never be the same again.

Digital Photography

In my final months of National Service, one of my superiors delved into the realm of digital photography. I was none the less fascinated by his long lectures of apertures and shutter speeds – despite our hectic work life – and we both talked onto no ends about the various camera models and lenses. In the end, after I was released in October 2008, that I decided to dive into the world of photography.

I bought myself a Canon EOS 450D, which is a commendable camera model to begin as a novice. Despite its shortcomings (and its age, due to newer models coming out to replace it), I find the camera easy to navigate and maneuver, albeit its handling is rather flimsy. The camera – out of other cameras that were available in the “starter camera model” category – fits my need, and is excellent in some aspects (color reproduction and noise reduction). Perhaps due to its limitations, too, that I felt it is a perfect camera to begin with.

As and when, I will post up some of my photo collection. Comments and criticism are welcome.

Tech Trends

Now, this topic may spring up here and there, whichever technological pursuits fancy me. Due to the nature of the speed of advances made in this field, however, I may not find enough time to discuss on the various issues that is often made news: cheaper quad-core chips, SSDs, DDR 3 RAMs, Windows 7 etc.

‘Net Neutrality

Previously I read two of three books written by Lawrence Lessig, and while his audience are primarily the Americans, the intent of the message resonates very well with me. After the RIAA scandal and more closer to home, that saga, I decided to take a public stance against such gulag-style lawsuits, knowing very well that they may have overreach their rights as a business entity. Call me a bigot, but when the numbers are mind-boggling, it’s a stupid way to treat your very own customers as “criminals.”

Most of you would have probably moved on to better things, and I would not be angry. But before you move on, let me quote from Pastor Martin Niemöller‘s oft-quoted poem for greater justice:

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not protest;
I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me.

About Myself

Now, I don’t count myself as significant as all the great people I met. Well, at least I don’t.

For as long as I can remember, the past 23 years of my life has been a trip to what I consider Heaven’s representation on Earth, smelt the burning pots of what used to be war zones, and seen the best – and worst – of people, but there’s no stopping me from going around the world and see the view as an insignificant person, now, am I?

Back in relation to the name of my blog: Temporal Paralysis. It is a sort of paralysis against my materialistic pursuits in life. It is a paralysis against what I know and learn for the past 20 years of my life. It is a paralysis of what I thought is natural and true.

A paralysis against normalcy.

The world has changed, and with it, the unravelled and uncomfortable truths about the world. Gone are the carefree days that I used to remember, gone are the peaceful existence that I know of. Against this feeling of loss, I am struggling to assert an identity to call my own. “Who am I?”

The path to self-realization has only just begun for this late-bloomer. Life, for me I suppose, will find a way.