Update

Update post to prevent this blog from being deleted due to inactivity.

strive

Life.Sign.World.Radio.View.Camera.Hope.Television.Fear.Internet.Doubt.
Media.Identity.Connect.Music.Solitude.Film.Group.Book.Strive.Generation.
Earth.Pen.Soul.War.Goal.Paper.Mind.Word.Human.Ecology.Guitar.River.
Emotion.Sky.Politics.Industry.Piano.Melancholy.Style.History.Lost.
Mountain.Diplomacy.Forest.Communication.Realize.Art.Believe.Love.
Material.Family.I.Society.You.Structure.Us.Rule.We.Dislike.They.Like.
Difference.Same.One.Discriminate.Together.Alone.Unique.Similarity.
Friend.Brother.Sister.Parent.Era.Time.Look.Take.Give.Listen.Talk.Move.
Taste.Live.Care.Help.Fight.Wind.Electronics.Oil.Sun.Resource.Water.
Mood.Person.Display.Intelligence.Relativity.Ignorance.Substance.Metal.
Wood.Essence.Leaf.Wish.Disappointment.Money.Bank.Power.Government.
People.System.Mirror.Strife.Nature.Story.Travel.Live.Organism.Philosophy.
Psychology.Economy.Social.Beat.Rhythm.Culture.Education.Safety.
Survive.Mainstream.Sorrow.Happiness.Emptiness.Sound.Circle.Fullfilment.
Write.Draw.Competition.Sport.Hate.Search.Find.Understand.Try.Race.
Countries.Species.Literature.Game.Heart.Honest.Value.Recongnize.
Future.Regulation.Past.Line.Present.Work.Observe.Learn.Smile.Cry.Go.
Stay.Fly.Walk.Run.See.Truth.Right.Wrong.Good.Bad.Equal.

Substance

Don't try to be pretentious.
But I'm not.

This whole thing is empty.
Do you feel the emptyness.

Is there any substance.
Or only a tempting silence.

Shout out your heart.
That's what we all do.

Don't let time past you by.
This is what it is.

Reason & Rain

Are there any special people in this world?
I mean, among us, are there any persons who are truly special?
Between you and me, do you know anyone?

A person who will grow up to be someone succesfull or important to the society.
Or someone who will change our generation for the better.
Someone who will define our generation.

Are there any special people in this world?
I mean, the ones that will grow up to play a defining role in life.
Between you and me, do you know anyone?

A person with character, who knows the thin line between integrity and hypocrisy.
Or someone who will put action in something that matters.
Someone who will define this generation.

Go find reason in this world.
Everything happens for a reason.
Go stand amidst the rain and search for reason.

Life

Hello Mr. writer,

Will you strive again?

Yes, I will.

Let's go.


- I live, and that's all that there is. Live trough each day. And all will be here.
After and before I don't know. But for now. I'm here. I'm now here. I'm nowhere.
I'm not there. Not there where I should be. Not where I want to be. But I'm here.
Here and there. Anywhere is not everywhere. Everywhere is anywhere.
Fear what you don't know. That's where you are not. Go there to find out. -

Lost Generation

A poem by Jonathan Reed
video from metroamv @ youtube

A Midsummers' Roundup

-Tips of Blogging-
by ShiftySeven

#1. If you got something to write about, write it down asap. Hence it will be still fresh in you mind, and writing will be much more easier.
#2. Be up to date. It is best to post up events that happened not long ago.
Writing about a national day on april in august doesn't really appeal to the news-hungryminds of readers.
#3. Don't make long, complicated and hard to read sentences. (See above? is it readable?... Hmmm maybe it isn't that hard to read huh?)
#4. Don't write too much of those 'supposedly-funny-to-read-own-thoughts-of-blogger'-comments.
#5. Titles should somehow match your posts content.

Well about #5...midsummer should be somewhere around june/july...certainly not by the end of august. I had this idea for the title a long time ago...but didn't quite had the chance to post it. So with a midsummers' roundup I wanted to write about a 'roundup' (summary) of the events I still have not written yet.
Queensday 2010 / Koninginnedag 2010 (30 April 2010)
See my post on Koninginnedag 2008 here. (for further explaination on this Dutch Holiday)
This year I went to Gelderlandplein in/near Amstelveen, where there is supposedly a lot of Japanese people selling their stuff on queensday. What I found their was indeed some Japanese selling, mostly old books and magazines. It was quite interesting.

Tip#6. Use the magic word 'interesting'. Use that and no further explaination is needed. Saves a lot of hassle of writing down your arguments and feedbacks. (Recommended for lazy bloggers!)

I did not make any photos while I was at Gederlandplein.

Tip#7. Always make photos on the location! (Event, subject etc)
Tip#8. Thus, taking your digital camera with you at all times would be handy. Preferably one of Sony. But that's just the personal preference of the writer of this blog. Olympus would be good too. Or Canon, Nikon, Pentax...

I did made photos of some other places I went on that same day.
I believe I was at Slotervaart? I can't really remember. Nevertheless I quite like these photos.




These photos are taking with a Sony Cybershot W30 Digital Camera

Automatic/manual mode.
Shutter time: I don't know
ISO: I don't know
Other configurations used: I don't know
The writer of this post will or will not explore further on the wonderful world of photography.

Eason Chan Europe Tour 2010
(8 May 2010, Ahoy Rotterdam)

We all have been waiting for it...and there he was...Eason in Holland!!

Part of Easons Europe Tour 2010, which consisted of Manchester and London, Eason also came to Rotterdam, Holland.

It was interesting...

No seriously, being one of my favourite HK singer, he coming to Holland was I chance I would not want to miss! Listening to his songs everyday, inspiring me and everything.

Tip#9. Another magical word (see also #6) is to add "...and everything" to the end of a sentence. With that you don't need to write down every single thing. Everything is really a magical word...it really describes the whole feel...the grander scheme...the ... eeh... yeah everything.

But there was another bonus! Hongkong band Mr. was coming along as the stage band of Eason! Woohoo~!

It was interesting and everything!!

(Use both tips to make a super combo!! And blogging is as easy as making a piece of cake! It's a piece of a cake!)

Here some snapshots of this memorable concert. Looks like it was quite packed up right? But looks can be deceiving. As you can see on the photos below. I expected more people to come, but then again, it is Holland we're talking about. So who came? A lot of young people, lot of fans from England. Some die-hard fans from Hongkong as well. Heard a lot of mandarin speaking chinese as well.

Here we can see the shortcomings of the Sony Cybershot W30 Digital Camera. At places with little light, photos would become hard to make.

I had a place at the mid-mid of the hall.

To Organiser of this concert, Oriental Touch. Thanks for putting up this. But one advice/request...don't make those tickets so damn expensive! Okay I know it is one of a lifetime chance, so I wouldn't mind spending a bit, but...

It does looks like a rip-off especially when at the end of the concert everyone from the end rushes to the front. For those who paid for the premium and diamond seats (not me) it was as if they might as well could have paid for the zone3 cheapest tickets. Since you will end up at the front anyways. On the other hand, I did liked this (scened/planned) act of rushing to the front, standing and cheering. It quite loosened up the atmosphere.

Actually OrientalTouch is planning another possible concert tour in 2011!! I got this survey on which artists I would like to see coming here again.

Hmm Eason Chan again? Or Kay Tse would be cool too.

Digital Era
(Youtube Era)

No need to bother making photos or videos myself. Literally everyone around you will do it for you and put it on youtube. And fast too! Within hours it was on youtube!! Look at all those cameras and phones!!!

Video made by wervel on youtube

Tip#10. Don't re-edit your post too much!!

And to Google blogger: I want a much more user friendly interface to work with!!! Writing and adding photos is still a hassle!!

Media Connecting Life

Media Connecting Life

Friday 9.7.2010
Got back home from work as usual. Already being all sweaty from the humid and warm weather, the moment I entered the house it felt like entering a warm heated oven! I imidiately turned on the ventilator to cool down. Although that didn't help much.

Hungry as I was, I wondered whether it was another day of self-home-cooking or perhaps there might be some food prepared. I was lucky to see the cup of salad when I opened the refrigerator!! Some cold fruit & pasta salad just perfectly suits this weather.

Well after taking a refreshing shower I got behind my Vaio and logged on to, the modern social platform a 21st century man can't lived without: Facebook.

After logging in to facebook, the eyed will imidiately glance to the upper left corner to scan for some small red boxes with a, preferably (or not), high digit number in it. After all, social network sites are meant for "networking". And the term "networking" can be defined in many possible ways. Some take it more seriously than others. (Replying to endless reactions on a boardmessage like: "I can not sleep, I think I will skipp class tomorrow..." or "Went to school on 8.30 but the teacher is sick, so now I'm stuck here for 5 more hours untill the next class". being some examples ) Hey it's fun right? I'm not complaining.

Me myself am not that much of a "poster/reply'er" on facebook, but on friday I got a message from someone on facebook who is studying International Marketing at a University in London. She was doing her master thesis on social media, and in particular: The Greenpeace Kitkat Campaign, to stop Nestle from chopping rainforests to use palmoil for making several of their products. Anyway, being a supporter of Greenpeace myself I reacted on some of the messages on facebook, that I guess caught the attention of this student. So I was asked whether I was willing to participate in this scientific research (to call it in a fancy way) regarding social media. And being a former Communications student myself I was, ofcourse without doubt, gladly to help her out.

What I like about this is, social media like facebook can really connect and reach out to a lot of parties.
In this case, Greenpeace could both make this issue heard for a lot of people who didn't knew about this, and making a statement, but also offering public pressure to Nestle by showing all the supporters of this campaign.

Funny enough, or maybe logically, the way this student reached me is also through social media. So that is what I really like. Media really can connect people as opposed to 20 years ago, where this could not have be possible, or at least not so easily as it is on this scale.

Having stopped at the University as a Communication student, I'm really fired up now for next year at College. As I will be studying Media, Information & Communications. I just can't wait!!


Saturday 10.7.2010
If you're in a routine, it's hard to adapt to a change. One of the very few routines I had the past year was to get up early on saturday mornings to go to Chinese school. I was so used to this that on this particular saturday morning I didn't knew what day it was nor at what time I should be getting up. Being disoriented for a while (and perhaps also being in a dreamy-condition) I finally realized it was saturday and chinese school was over.
Got up and took a shower (again! yes this warm and humid weather forces you to spill extra water!) had a brunch, which is a nice word-mix-up of breakfast & lunch, and prepared to go out for an outing later on the evening.

The day was pretty warm (note: I don't use the word "hot", that one is reserved only for places like HongKong or Japan=P ). It was basically too unbearable to go out in long jeans or trousers of some short. For a long time I wasn't particulary a fan of shorts. And beside, I thought the only shorts I had were basketball shorts. Untill I accidentaly found not one, but even two! shorts in my closet. It was those 3/4 styled. Although if you extend it down abit it would be like 85% styled short. Hurray~~! Now I don't have to buy one!

Around noon I went out in my "black 85% shorts" with a white! shirt (I haven't wore white outside for a long long time, blue or black or grey it was, always) backed up with my Eastpak backpag! I felt like a tourist. And I think most people thought I was too.

Met up with the band for a BandOuting, since half of the band would be gone for Holidays, we wouldn't be jamming for a while. When we walked out on the Damsquare, my 'asian-senses' imidiately spotted some non-chinese-most-probably-korean-or-japanese- group of youngster stalling out some stuff. Curious as I was I kept looking, untill one of the girls shouted to me: "It's FREE!!!" I was like: "it's FREE??!!!" So when something it's free you are obligated to check it out =) So we went closer to take a look and it turns out they were korean students studying Visual Communications (woow another 'media related' encounter!) at a University in Korea. They came here to do some Creative Design Project of some sort. Anyway, we needed to pick out a sticker and stick it to a big white cardboard that marks a big 'M' on it. We were actually the first to past the stickers onto the board. And after that we get to choose a FREE =) button. I picked a blue one with recycle mark as you can see on the top photo. Amidst this short conversation we even managed to say some korean words like kamsamida and shouted "So nyuh shi dae" , that being one of the most popular groups right now in Korea.
The girls seemed quite suprised when we said that, don't know if they were fan, but I guess the one guy that was there most probably is. Along the way, even a photo was taken of us. I guess now our faces will end up on one of those wallboards in one of Korea University hallways. Or maybe in the local university newspaper. Who knows.

This is really another thing I like. Doing projects like this. Visual communications, media etc. And even coming all the way from Korea. I hope one day I can go to Korea or Japan or some other nice country for my study as well. (and ofcourse meeting some other peers from Korea who are studying something in common is fun too!!)


Saturday night on Sunday 11.07.2010
After some Iced Lattee and life discussions later, we decided to go home before the lightning and thunder struck us. (Or as they say it in Dutch: 'Before the hell breaks loose!") Back home again, it was warm again. I couldn't really sleep and I kind of decided to stay up the whole night. I'll just go to sleep in the morning when it has cooled down. Surfing on the net checking media sites, and japan blogs and so on, I remembered again what I wanted to do. One of my dreams was to have a own media production company. Making films/adverts/blogs/sites and so on. That's really one of the things I want to do. Combine that with some journalism, trips to asia (or other places), inspiring projects, film, music and fun...that would really be something I would want to do.

6am...
Somehow, life seems promising again. Standing right there in my kitchen watchin over the breaking dawn, at the day that most likely will be a historic one for the whole country. As the Dutch national football team face up Spain in the finale of the WorldCup 2010 in South Africa.

I hope they win.

Since this life is full of hope.
This is the life.

By the music

Live by the sea
Live by the music

I wouldn't know what to do, without music.

Give me the pace....
Strum the chords and go
Beats come in by bass
Hit the drums
Lead the tune

Storytelling lyrics always goes emotional
Backing vocals on the back and harmonize with the chorus

Try to understand the world
If only, your own world

This life is here
With music on my side

Up there in the sky can help me
But as long as I got music
I will be here

(Part 1 of Music & Life / Part 2: What Music Means To Me)

No good person

I'm not a good person...
But then again, who is?
Nobody is perfect.
But even so...
Can't help to think I'm no good.

I wish I was a better person.

I wish I was a better son,
I wish I was a better brother,
I wish I was a better friend,
I wish I was more, more than this.

I'm half the man I would like to be.
To everyone who know me, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry if I'm not good enough. I'm sorry for my mistakes.

I'm half the man I would like to be.
All I wanted was to be free.
So I could see, all of this world.
I just want to be me.

And more...

I will try to change.
I will try to do better from now on.
But still, there are some things...that can't be changed.
I wish I could...

I'm sorry.

Life's Like a Story

In this life or only in stories...

Life's like a story

Thank you / sorry

Live. with all the good memories


- 林競文／K.Lam -

Waiting on the World to Change

A few months ago, I talked about voting. Today are the National votings.

I'm waiting...
I'm waiting on the world to change.




Have a clear mind, and care for the world.

Peace.

Neko

According to this site, in Japanese: http://www.freedict.com/onldict/jap.html

Neko, besides cat, also means: asleep, in bed, sick in bed.

Now, I don't know if those two have some kind of correlation. But it does somehow suggest that a cat is 'lazy' and likes to sleep.

Well from my own experience, cats are active. Hunting, climbing, leaping over fences.

Just like my backyard: The cats' "natural" habitat.

I'm sure your backyard is the same.

Photo: Here we see a not-so-rare sample of a Felis catus, also known as the domestic cat. Hunting, searching for food, in the backyard;where survival of the fittest is all that counts.

No Fresh Carrot Skin

Translated from cantonese...

The cantonese saying 'I'm no fresh carrot skin', which would roughly translate to something as: I'm not something special, I'm just a regular/average someone. Nothing more, nothing less.

Then again, sometimes I'm just like a piece of trash really...
But hey, even pieces of trash need to go on right ? =)

However, there are times too, when you'll feel you are really far 'more' then all those 'others'.

Arrogance and ignorance don't go well together.
Arrogance and intelligence however...can go together, but true intelligence does not include arrogance.

Not trying to be more...
Or less...

Just this

But 'others' will always perceive something else.
Points of view.

Therefor, all there's left to be...
Is to be.

A Journalist's Life

So what about it?

Well, nothing, just like the title.

Wanting to live the life of a journalist eh?

I guess so, ever since my early days in highschool, being a journalist is one of the few things I wanted to be.

You know, there's a certain 'romance' about being journalist. Individuals who stand amidst life & society, trying to do something. Just like a detective in crime stories who solves mysteries and helps people. An independent individual who, preferably, works alone and solve/create/make things on their own. Goes to many places, talks to many people, see a lot of things. Yeah, a journalist is pretty much a detective, both try to gain information.

I see...sounds adventurous.

I think it is, well of ofcourse it also depends on what kind of journalist you are.

But with all adventures, the possibility of danger is always lurking. Just recently again, in the turmoil of the political chaotic Thailand, 3 journalists were injured.

I know, that's also what my former chinese teacher told me. Being a journalist in warzone areas is dangerous. But you see, I'm not craving for adventure or anything. Just want to do what should be done.

Okay, let's go talk about something else. Do you have the 'abilities' to be a journalist?

A a journalist you should be an allrounder. Someone who knows a bit of everything. For me, I do want to know a bit of everything, that's what my daily life is about actually. Also, knowing a lot of 'connections' would help too. For that, I'm working on it...well sort off. It will come with time. It's not about how much people you know, more so, how much different kind of people you know.
Don't you ever got the feeling there are different kind of 'groups' of people. Some people belong to one group and stick with them all their life. Some got more 'groups' they're into. Maybe 2 or something. For me, I want to know all different kinds of people. And I do think, as I have sort of experienced in life, that I do might have the abilities? Personality? to interact with different kinds of people. Maybe it's my natural instinct to adapt to situations or just to blend in.
Ofcourse, the amount of things I have experienced so far in my life is still few, so I don't how the future would be, but I do hope that I truly can be like an allround person who everyone can talk to with their subjects and thoughts.

It seems like you have thought about this?

Well you know, sometimes I've got a feeling I'm caught in between 2 worlds. Or maybe even more.
For example, I can talk to person A, who get along with group A people, but I can also talk with person B, that rather prefers to be with Group B people. And these 2 groups will never really interact or don't even get along with each other. But for me, I'm just fine with both.

Hmmm...you DO have thought about this, I would like to hear more from you about this, but let's save that for another time. okay?

Okay sure, I'll write more on my blog from now on, so you can read it if you do drop by.

Well that's good to hear. I would like to thank you for this...ehm dialogue?

Hmm, well not much of a dialogue this is eh? More like a monologue?
Since this is just me writing all this...

Hmmm...

Well thanks anyway!!


Upcoming posts on striveagain.blogspot.com
# Eason Chan 2010 Europe Tour !!!
# "Koninginnedag 2010" Queensday 2010 Gelderlandplein ~ Nihon no hon ya Nihon no zasshi!
# Street Snapshot Story ( I took a photo of this 'epic fail' paper that was glued on a lamppost! )


Peace and be good person!

Not A Single Plane

Bright clear is the sky

Only few clouds drifting by

Not a single plane


-ShiftySeven/K.Lam-
My attempt doing a Haiku =)

Dancing In The Dark

My favourite song of this moment.
Dancing In The Dark by Bruce Springsteen. Although the first time I heard this song is actually Amy Macdonalds cover version. I like both the original and the cover. I've posted them both. First up the original by The Boss and scroll down for Amy's beautiful acoustic version.




I get up in the evening
and I ain't got nothing to say
I come home in the morning
I go to bed feeling the same way
I ain't nothing but tired
Man I'm just tired and bored with myself
Hey there baby, I could use just a little help

You can't start a fire
You can't start a fire without a spark
This gun's for hire
even if we're just dancing in the dark

Message keeps getting clearer
radio's on and I'm moving 'round the place
I check my look in the mirror
I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
Man I ain't getting nowhere
I'm just living in a dump like this
There's something happening somewhere
baby I just know that there is

You can't start a fire
you can't start a fire without a spark
This gun's for hire
even if we're just dancing in the dark

You sit around getting older
there's a joke here somewhere and it's on me
I'll shake this world off my shoulders
come on baby this laugh's on me

Stay on the streets of this town
and they'll be carving you up alright
They say you gotta stay hungry
hey baby I'm just about starving tonight
I'm dying for some action
I'm sick of sitting 'round here trying to write this book
I need a love reaction
come on now baby gimme just one look

You can't start a fire sitting 'round crying over a broken heart
This gun's for hire
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
You can't start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart
This gun's for hire
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Hey baby

Riff 'n Lick

DWDD talks about the best guitar riffs voted.

Rwaaang~~ Rwaaang ~~~ Rwaang ~~ Daaang ~~~

=D

Requiem For A Dream

Today again, it's time to vote.
What does voting means?
Living in a 'democracy' means most votes counts. So they actually make you believe that your vote counts. I don't know if that's true. I don't know if my vote is going mean anything. I hope it does.

Democracy isn't the 'best option' there is. But it is the most 'fair' one. Democracy only means we'll go the way what the most people want. 'Most votes wins'. Sounds fair to me. But...
The fact that most people choose for one way, doesn't mean thats the best way.

What if only a fair amount of people knows the 'truth' to the 'best solution'? They won't be heard, since the masses will choose elsewise.
But then again, we know there's nothing like 'the absolute truth' and more so, the best solution is different for any individual. What works best for me, might be bad for you. Opinions differ...

What kind of world you want to live in?
Lets say you actually can make a difference by voting. Then I would vote.
Been making all these tests at kieswijzer.nl & 'kiescompas' at at5.nl and it's hard.
There's hardly one single party that complies with all your opinions. So you gotta choose the one that suits you best. And when you do have decided what party want to vote for, you still have to choose a candidate.
For me I want someone who knows what he/she is doing. Someone educated, someone who knows whats going on the streets. Someone with vision, an idealist but also a realist. Choosing the right/best decision by acting rationally but with a compassionate heart as well.

You know, making decisions is hard. I don't think I can be a politician. There's never going to be way to fullfil the needs of every person. You can't go both ways. There will always be people who disagree with you.

To change the world, is to see it.
In sci-fi films about the future, the future is always either a grimmy place with no order at all, garbage everywhere, un-safe streets: The 'post-apocalyptic' -scenerio. Or you got the 'Perfect-society' - scenario: Beautifull clean streets, regulated progress of life, ID-taged transactions by eye-scan or what not, no crimes, surveillance camera's everywhere, police on every corner......................that's not a perfect world...that's a fake & plastic world.

However it does looks like we might setting out for that direction. These days everyone talks about 'safety' on the streets. People suggesting more surveillance camera's on every corner of 'dangerous' streets. More cops on the field, preventative examinings (preventief fouilleren ;) ) for every person. Now you might say, if you got nothing to hide , then you got nothing to lose. That's true. For me too, I got no problems with more camera's and all those other countermeasures against criminality...but is that what really helps? Is that really the solution to the problem. A problem that is part of a grander issue that's going on. Integration? Education?

Do we really want to live in a world where every single thing is being regulated? A world in which every single step you take will be monitored? A world between 'we and them'? Where's the free world we used to live in? The one where we could just go outside and play as kids. A world with no fear of being robbed, a world in which we can talk to our neighbours, a world in which we are all equal.

Vote and see what happens. Atleast try. I wanna try it and see what happens.
What kind of world you wanna live in?
Today it might be just voting for the city/citydistrict. In a few months we must vote for the country. You still got some time to think.

What kind of world you wanna live in.
We do can make a difference. And if this is all just a lie, then at least we tried.
I would like to believe we can, and if that makes me a believer then so it is. But at least I tried.

"You can't rant if you didn't vote =P"

PS: I know 'Requiem for a dream' is a somewhat overused piece of music, but still, it suits the text & thoughts of this post. Listen to it while reading)

A Protagonist Revived

The Kid
The Young One
The Student
The Soldier
The Journalist
The Guitarist
The Protagonist
The Atagonist
The Idealist
The Realist
The Musician
The Troubadour
The Filmmaker
The Photographer
The Radioman
The Detective
The Writer
The Composer
The Lyricist
The Poet
The Athlete
The Dancer
The Singer-Songwriter
The Artist