The One on New Macbooks

Disclaimer: If you think I am using this post or this whole blog to solicit for any gifts, slap yourself in the face now. Or perhaps a lot of readers out there doesn't mind giving you a helping hand too. However of course any act of generosity towards Sotongball will not be turned down if you really really love the way he is.

What better way to start a new chapter by introducing the trusty machine that enable blogging and pictures so much more elegant and stylish?

The new Macbook and Macbook Pro from Apple are real eye-candies, and these beauties are definitely more than meet the eyes. The new Macbooks are clad in a anodized, aircraft-grade, (precision) laser carved, brushed, unibody (one-piece) aluminum (think Steve Jobs meets one of the Project Runway challenges). This translates to a Macbook with less seams, less gaps, lighter weight, and a more solid feel, thus smoothly entering into Apple's whole new Aluminum world, phasing the classic glossy White (correction: low-end 2.1GHz Macbook White is still available for the nostalgist).

On the surface the new Macbook and Macbook Pro look identical, sans the difference in screen size (13.3" vs 15.4"). Inside these two beauties both house equally beastie and powerful Core 2 Duo processors and integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400 graphics. While an additional GeForce 9600M GT works simultaneously within the Pros to give you double graphics power if you ever require it (though you have to log in and out to make the switch on/off): for playing 4 WoW characters at the same time, for running all Kong Videos available simultaneously, or simply airbrushing all your photos in batches.

They are probably the first, and perhaps for a long time the only notebook to ship with a trackpad without any buttons, except that the button is also the trackpad. Pressure-sensitive clicking I guess, a very risky move as I myself do prefer to separate my clicking from the estate my fingers move around the trackpad. More importantly the trackpad is now etched glass! Most fitting for even the most fragile jade hands...

And finally the back-lit keyboard lands on 13.3" Macbook! However it is only available in the more expensive higher end 2.4GHz models. That means more irritation from idiots who like to use not only their phones, but Macbooks in the cinema.

It is really a tough call between the few new Macbook and Macbook Pro models, since they are even more so similar now. I guess the primary factor would be your budget, followed by your needs, and lastly your wants.

For the newcomers with a budget: The 2.0GHz Macbook offers no back-lit keyboard, but that's just about it. Highly recommended if you always work in a well-lit environment.

For the office workers and tertiary students with more cash to spare: Go for the 2.4GHz Macbook if you are need the extra back-lit keyboard and 0.4Ghz to work on your spreadsheets, presentations and reports well into the late nights.

For the hardcore gamers, professional photographers and film-makers: Go for the 2.4GHz Macbook Pro unless your pocket is really really deep.

Macbooks and Macbook Pros are usually cheaper in the summer season due to the Back-To-School Rebate offer starting from April to September every year, which entitles you to a free iPod together with a purchase of your Mac. Otherwise, you can also click on the Education Store section of the online Apple Store for substantial discount.

The One that Bitches

Wow, been a while since I have updated. (I know this phrase is starting to sound so cliched) Little would I have guessed that I earned the title of a Princess, such an honor! Well, at least I'm not an Auntie - you know, those that yap yap yap in the wet market non-stop? They are, quite at the other end of the spectrum.

There are theories, regarding the reason why there have been so much lag in my blog (ironically some are from people who do not even blog themselves!):

That my blog is only used to find a BF.
Which retard uses his blog to find a bf? Heck I can't even know anyone new from blogging.

The truth is, I guess I got tired of blogging for a while, especially when people start using my own words here against me, or worse still displaying all sorts of low intelligence behavior by inferring my posts wrongly. If you think I'm talking about you, there's a higher chance that I am not rather than I am.

If you haven't realized, Sotongball has never failed to keep his entries as positively toned as possible. What's the point of using your blog to bitch about someone openly? Your target really deserves much less attention that you are giving him, or her for that matter.

Furthermore, Sotongball has a kind of bad habit when blogging is concerned: he would not think it's worth anyone's time to read his blog if he's just whining about how miserable his job is, how much he hates someone, how depressed or lonely is he. I'm sure you might be disappointed to learn that STB thinks the downs in his life (if there's even any) should be kept out of his blog. (Still, not that this deters any big mouths from speculating and spotlighting the otherwise harmless STB, just because STB does not get pissed doesn't mean he can be a target of gossips). Nor hardly will you find STB's word count in one post shorter than ten of the posts added together in some other so-called blogs.

Sotongball cares for your mouth because he certainly does not want you to get slapped by being so trigger happy. At the same time do him a favor because so far he have always had your (means you, you and... especially you!) best interest in his heart. The point is: please think faster than you speak/type, I know it is near impossible, but do it please?

The One after Quite A While

The One with a Nine

Thanks for those who came over last Saturday afternoon, sorry if I wasn't hospitable enough.

It was a special afternoon for me and I feel so blessed to have known so many friends, friends that I can  truly call friends, friends that care about me, friends that see past my perceived facade.

The past one year has been indeed fruitful, from moving to a new place, to moving on from my past relationship. And in between, many events that enriched our understanding of one another, for better or for worse.

Coming to the final year of another decade, I hope to seize every opportunity to grow, to be more compassionate towards others, to iron out some kinks in life and to treat everyone with more love and respect.

Finally, to live my life for myself,  not for anyone else.

The One on Redemption (Part 9)

A year has passed and Julian did not manage to see Sylvester since the day he left.

But he had managed to meet Vernetta a couple of times and both of them were even starting to talk again albeit as friends.

Vernetta had come to terms with Julian’s sexuality and she knew she could never shut Julian out of her life with what they had shared before. Julian felt blessed that he had Vernetta’s understanding and forgiveness, thus he made sure that he would always be around for her when the needs arises.

After picking Vernetta up from Charmaine’s place and towards the airport, Julian asked, “So where are you flying to?”

Vernetta smiled sweetly as usual and replied, “Thanks for picking me up. I am flying to Venice for a month. Maybe I will get myself a romantic guy there to propose to me and I will not be back! How nice if it really happens? So you still did not manage to locate Sylvester after a year?” Vernetta asked.

Julian took a quick look at the still as radiant Vernetta and nodded, “Simon, my colleague who was his counselor after Sylvester requested for a change, told me that he had successfully completed his term and had found a job. So in a way, I am very glad that he is getting on fine.”

“Then what about you? How are you getting on? You are going to wait only for Sylvester, right? All other guys are of no attraction to you?” Vernetta quipped.

Julian smiled a little and parked his car at the open air car park outside Changi Airport.

They entered the bustling departure hall, it was a Saturday and it seemed a lot of people were going aboard.

Julian felt as if he needed a vacation soon, and walked Vernetta to the departure gate.

A familiar figure stood at a far corner and fixed his gaze at the couple since Julian and Vernetta walked in.

His gaze followed them to the departure gate and never allowed his view of them to be blocked.

He saw Vernetta kissing Julian at his cheeks before she entered the gate and he quickly walked towards Macdonalds when Julian waved goodbye to Vernetta and walked away.

Julian had a sudden crave for french fries so he headed towards the direction of Macdonalds.

He joined the queue and was thinking to himself that he really needed a nice vacation to get recharged.

When it was his turn at the counter, he looked up at the guy behind the counter and both Julian and the service guy’s eyes met and were shocked.

The guy, wearing Macdonalds’ uniform complete with a cap, was Sylvester!

Both of them stood there speechless and it was till the person behind Julian, voiced his displeasure of waiting too long, did Julian regained his composure.

He hastily ordered coffee and Sylvester got it done as soon as he could.

Julian took one last look at Sylvester after the latter returned him his change, he got a seat nearest to the counter and fixated his sight on Sylvester, worried that Sylvester might disappeared again.

Julian’s coffee turned cold but he did not bother to even look at it, he was looking at Sylvester all these while.

Sylvester looked even better now, his once listless eyes were now bright and attentive.

His nice dimples seemed to get even deeper and his thick eye bushes seemed darker.
His curly eye lashes looked curlier and his once lean jaw looked fuller now.

Sylvester even seemed to have built up his mass, he looked so much more muscular now, his short sleeve uniform could not even contain his bulging biceps and Sylvester looked even tanner and fitter.

Julian’s stares was making Sylvester uneasy, he saw Julian earlier when he went to the toilet.

He had never expected to see Julian again, at least not at the airport.

He was transferred to the outlet for a day and when he saw Julian with Vernetta, he too spotted the difference.

Both Vernetta and Julian seemed to have lost weight from what he saw from a distance away but he was more concerned about Julian.

Julian seemed to have aged, his once tight taut tanned body seemed to have shrunk but still looked fantastic for a man approaching his thirties. And when Julian was at the counter, Sylvester thought he saw visible eye wrinkles on Julian but Julian still exuded the manly charms.

Time seemed to pass slowly and Sylvester couldn’t wait for his shift was over, it had been over 3 hours now and Julian had not left.

Julian was waiting for Sylvester and Sylvester knew that when he saw the coffee that Julian had ordered not been touched.

When it was time for Sylvester to knock off, he knew he could not avoid Julian so he made no such attempt.

Julian walked out of Macdonalds behind Sylvester, both of them did not say anything till Sylvester was waiting for his sky train.

“Sylvester, can I drive you home? I have a lot of things to tell you. Please?” Julian pleaded.

Sylvester nodded.

They walked towards the car park in silence and when they got inside the car, Sylvester was frantically trying to think of something to say but Julian got to it first, “How are you? Where have you been? I have been looking for you for one whole year!”

With that, Julian buried his face onto the steering wheels and cried.

Sylvester was taken aback and he placed his hands on Julian’s shoulders, “I am fine, really. I have completed my programme and gotten a job at Macdonalds. Simon got me a rented room and I am fine. I am really sorry to have walked out on you that day but I knew you would be in a difficult position if I don’t leave. And I saw you with Vernetta earlier so I know I made a right decision of leaving you then.”

Julian wiped off his tears and said, “You saw us earlier? Why didn’t you call out to me earlier? If I didn’t make a detour to Macdonalds, you were going to avoid me again? Why are you doing this to me? Why are you so cruel?”

Sylvester panicked and tears welling in his eyes, “I don’t have a choice. I couldn’t yell out to you when you were with Vernetta. Both of you still looked so much in love and I wouldn’t want to come in between both of you.”

“What in love? I have told Vernetta all about us! I told her the truth the night you left. This past year, Vernetta and I are nothing more than just close friends, she forgave me and gave me her blessings. I drove her here as a friend, she is just a friend.”

Sylvester could not believe what he had just heard, “Really? You told her about us? She forgave you? You mean you have been searching for me for the past year to tell me this? That you choose to live your life with me?”
Julian hugged Sylvester tightly and said in between sobs, “Yes. You light up my life and showed me who I am. You gave me what I have yearned for and I know I love you more than anyone else. I couldn’t deceive Vernetta of who I am but I know I must be truthful to who I love. And that is you! Please don’t leave me again, you had made me suffered enough this past year. Please stay with me and love me just as much as I love you!”

Sylvester’s tears rolled down his cheeks and he declared, “I love you too! I love you too! I was thinking about you every night since the night I left, I dreamt about the times we had together and I would cried myself to bed. I hated myself for giving you up so easily but that’s because I love you so much!”

Both of them hugged and cried in each other arms for a long time, they let out all their emotions and did not want to hold back.

Finally, the violent cries slowed down to sobs and they eventually stopped.

Julian looked at Sylvester and wiped off his tears, kissed on his cheeks and said gently, “Let’s not cry anymore, we should be happy that we are back in each other’s arms after a long ordeal. I promise that I will never make you shed a tear from now on and you will do the same to me too, right?”

Sylvester nodded and Julian continued, “Shall we go back to my apartment? I want to have you all to myself.”

They drove back to the apartment and all clothes were off when they were at the doorsteps. They kissed passionately, touching and feeling every single part of their bodies, they made passionate sex that afternoon. They made LOVE.

THE END

Redemption is written by Covantai, who enjoys writing short stories yet having difficulties finding an avenue to post his entries. For more of Covantai, please visit http://covantai.blogspot.com/

The One on Redemption (Part 8)

“Vernetta, shall we not talk about this at this moment? I am really worried about Sylvester.” Julian’s reaction to the proposal surprised Vernetta but she did not pursue further.

They did not manage to locate Sylvester that night and Julian was too preoccupied with thoughts that he too did not sleep that night, leaving Vernetta alone on the queen size bed.

Julian stood at the balcony, looked at the dark sky with few stars, he muttered to himself, “Where are you? Please be safe and nothing untoward happens to you, I wouldn’t know what to do if I lost you for good.”

He did not realize that Vernetta was behind him, with a cup of hot milo for him.

Vernetta moved quietly away from the balcony, left the cup of hot milo on the table and went back to the room.

Julian only went back to bed close to dawn, missing the already cold milo on his way to the room.

He overslept the next day and when he woke up, he got a pleasant surprise from Vernetta.

Vernetta had woken up early and went out to get breakfast for both of them.

Julian felt guilty during the breakfast and broke the silence, “Vern, I really need to tell you something.”

Vernetta looked at Julian and said, “You have not called me Vern for a long time. You have even substituted our names for each other back to when we first knew each other. 1 month is really long enough to change certain status.”

Julian was taken aback by Vernetta’s calm reaction and yet he can’t help but to feel as if Vernetta already knew what he is going to say.

Nonetheless, Julian continued, “It’s not you. It’s my fault. I did not know I have this inclination till Sylvester comes along. I was very happy with you but I found out that I was even happier with Sylvester. I felt like as if Sylvester and I are a family, not the brotherly kind of family, if you know what I mean.”

Vernetta still maintained her calmness and replied, “I knew something was not too right when you suggested bringing Sylvester home. You never bring your charges home, you never allow your personal feelings to be entangled with your work but you had shown all those obviously. Then after last night, I knew how we are going to take our relationship. A woman’s instincts can never be wrong, I can tell you are in love with Sylvester and I thought I would be able to have you back after his disappearance last night but I was wrong.”

“You knew what was going on? How could you tell?” Julian guilty conscience caused him to not dare to look at Vernetta.

Vernetta answered with a weak smile, “I can feel the tension between both of you. I tried to accommodate him into our lives to show my magnanimous and I want my friendliness with him to prove to you that I am capable of accepting all of you. But I am after all not a saint, I ensured that he saw how loving we are together and I wanted him to back out on his accord. I knew going to Paris was a risky move but I took the risk to allow both of you to settle any unfinished business among you. And I knew that I have to come back as a winner. So the marriage proposal was my last resort to bring you back to me.”

Julian finally looked at Vernetta, who at this moment had already started sobbing, “I never knew I would lose my boyfriend to another guy. I even thought that I would never lose you. That’s why I thought of taking the risk to make the trip to Paris at such a time when our relationship was put to the test. But I failed miserably. I have not only lost you, I lost my dignity as a woman too.”

Julian stretched out his hands to hold Vernetta but she pushed them aside, “Don’t touch me. I will pack my things after you leave for work and will be gone before you come back. You can keep or sell off this apartment but you have to return me my share.”

Julian kept his silence for a while then asked, “Where are you going then? Will you be okay? What will happen to us?”

Vernetta wiped off her tears and looked at Julian, “Don’t worry about me. I will be fine. I am a strong woman. We better not talk about our future. There is no more future.”

Vernetta got up from the table and walked to the room and closed it.

Julian cleaned up the table before he left for work, he did not informed Vernetta when he left.

When he reached his office, his colleague told him Sylvester’s case was transferred to another counselor and Sylvester had specifically requested that his contacts not revealed to Julian.

Julian felt as if his world collapsed, he had lost both Vernetta and Sylvester in one day but at least he was relieved that Sylvester did not give up his programme and was willing to continue under a different counselor.

At least he knew that Sylvester was safe.

Julian called Charmaine to check if Vernetta would be staying with her and he got a huge scolding from Charmaine who told him not to disturb Vernetta any more and even scolded Julian a faggot before she hung up on him.

The word faggot hurt Julian badly but he was relieved that Vernetta had someone to take care of her at this moment.

Julian could not concentrate on his work, he felt lost and confused.

He applied for a day off and drove to the beach, he sat there the whole morning, looking at the waves hitting the shore.

He felt the same kind of loneliness and helplessness that Sylvester had told him about. He was thinking of Sylvester, missing him badly and had totally erased Vernetta off his mind.

He stood up and facing the sea, he shouted and shouted to vent out his frustrations and helplessness.
Then he suddenly took off his shirt and jumped onto the sea, swimming against the waves, the pair of pants was immediately wet and started to drag him down but he still continued to swim towards the big ocean.

Then, he was starting to be gasping for air and he paddled in the water to balance his breathing.

His boggled mind started to clear and he realized how stupid he was, he started to swim back to the shore, his powerful strokes revealed he is a strong swimmer and he finally touched the wet sand bed after 20 minutes.

Julian was exhausted when he reached the shore, he collapsed onto the dried sand and laid there, grasping for air.

He never felt this silly and could not believe what he had just done.

He managed to sit up after his breathing was back to normal, he looked at the empty beach and was glad that no one had seen him.

He got up and made his way back to his car and managed to change into a pair of clean boxer.

Sitting inside his car with only his boxer, Julian talked to himself, “I must not do that again, NEVER! I have to wait for Sylvester to come back. I have to wait till Vernetta accepts my apology. I have so many things to complete and I have so many people to care. I must NEVER ever be so silly again!”

to be continued....

Redemption is written by Covantai, who enjoys writing short stories yet having difficulties finding an avenue to post his entries. For more of Covantai, please visit http://covantai.blogspot.com/

The One on Redemption (Part 7)

When Sylvester woke up on the bed he had shared with Julian the previous night, Julian was nowhere in sight.

Sylvester put on his shorts and walked out of the room and saw Julian preparing breakfast.

He tip toed to Julian and hugged him from behind, kissing his neck in the process.

The sensation sent shivers through Julian’s body and he smiled back at Sylvester. “I have made scrambled eggs for us, to replenish all the energies lost last night.” Julian said cheekily.

Sylvester held Julian’s hands and replied, “It is really wonderful to have you with me. You show me the kind of hope that I never know exists.”

Julian kissed Sylvester and mumbled under his breath, “No, it’s you who opened up my world and makes me realized what I have been missing in my life.”

Both of them had their breakfast looking at each other and at times, feeding each other.
They felt they are falling in love and the sweetness of the situation made them see only each other in their eyes.

They did not manage to finish their breakfast as half way through, the sexual tension intensified and they proceeded back to the room to make love again.

Julian spent the rest of the week with Sylvester and they did sports, drink coffee at cafes and Julian brought Sylvester to his workplace too.

They can’t seem to let each other out of their view and did everything together, even showered together and Sylvester learned how to cook under Julian’s guidance.

Sylvester also picked up tennis and squash with Julian as his coach and they swam daily at the condo pool.

Time flew fast for the couple and on the night before Vernetta comes back the following day, Sylvester felt uneasy.

He did not know what was going on in Julian’s mind, how was he going to break the news or handle the situation.

He worried that Julian might choose to stay with Vernetta as it is the social norm and pretended the past month as nothing but pure lust.

Julian slided his arms over Sylvester and asked, “What’s on your mind? You are uncharacteriscally quiet tonight.”

Sylvester kept quiet for a while then asked, “Julian, are you going to talk to Vernetta about us? How are you going to handle whatever is going on between us? Am I asking too much from you?”

Julian kept his silence and did not reply, Sylvester did not persist any further.

They slept in each other’s arms that night and both hoped that tomorrow do not come.
The morning seemed unusually quiet and with a heavy mood, Julian was getting dressed to pick Vernetta from the airport. Sylvester declined to go with Julian and promised to wait for them at home.

When Julian left, Sylvester started to pack his belongings.

He had decided the previous night to opt out of this relationship, he knew he is in love with Julian and Julian had given him the kind of attention and love he had always yearn for.

But he knew that Julian was after all with Vernetta and they have been together for four years, a bond not easy to break.

He felt Julian’s feelings for him were probably lust and not love. He did not want to pressure Julian so Sylvester decided to run away from reality, like he always did.

When Sylvester finally finished his packing, he looked around the apartment and fond memories of the past month reflected upon him, he couldn’t bear to leave and he had no place to go but yet he has to go.

Sylvester took one long breath and walked out of the apartment.

Julian was contemplating what to say to Vernetta when he met her at the airport, seeing her so happy to see him and hugging her in public, Julian just can’t bear to own up his sexuality and he felt guilty towards Vernetta.

He took Vernetta’s heavy luggage and Vernetta clung on to Julian and enjoyed showing off her prized procession to her colleagues.

Vernetta talked about her London and Paris trip on their way back to their apartment and even hinted to Julian that she had bought a special gift for Julian and also something for Sylvester.

Julian opened the door to the empty apartment and was surprised to find Sylvester nowhere in sight.
He began to worry and went to the pool and the courts to search for Sylvester, leaving Vernetta baffled at Julian’s anxiety.

When Julian returned to the apartment looking dejected, Vernetta walked up to him, hugged him and consoled him, “Maybe he went out for a walk or maybe he went to get us some nice dinner? Don’t be so worried. He is a grownup and you are not even his guardian, gives him some freedom. He is doing very well, right? He has not touched those stuffs since he discharged, right? He is on his path to recovery and you have to let go ultimately. Plus, you have me. I should be the one that you should be worrying about.”

“Dear, I have to tell you something.” Julian confessed.

“No. Don’t say anything. Let me say mine first. See what I have gotten for you in Paris?” Vernetta interrupted.

Julian opened the box and inside was a ring sparkling with little diamonds, he looked at Vernetta.

Vernetta smiled, “We have been together for four years and I am certain you are the right man for me, I am tired of my jetting life and will you marry me? Shall we spend our lives as a married couple?”

to be continued....

Redemption is written by Covantai, who enjoys writing short stories yet having difficulties finding an avenue to post his entries. For more of Covantai, please visit http://covantai.blogspot.com/

The One on Redemption (Part 6)

When Julian opened the door to his apartment, Sylvester met Vernetta for the first time.

He was taken aback by her smooth and fair complexion, exuding an aura of a well poised beauty.

Sylvester understood now that he could never be a competitor to Vernetta, he understood why Julian is smitten with her.

Any guys who see Vernetta will be more than willing to kiss her feet and Julian, being such a desirable bachelor, is the perfect match for Vernetta.

Sylvester even felt that if he isn’t falling in love with Julian, he would fall in love with the beautiful Vernetta.

Julian introduced both of them to each other and Vernetta’s easy demeanor instantly made Sylvester at ease.

He could not believe that a beauty like Vernetta has such wonderful characteristics, he had worried that Vernetta might not take too easy on an ex drug addict like him, who happened to crash into Julian and Vernetta’s worlds.

But Vernetta’s friendliness surprised Sylvester and made him even guiltier that he harboured more than friendship for Julian.

“Make yourself at home, sorry that the apartment is too small that you have to sleep on the couch, don’t allow my presence to make you feel uneasy. I am seldom here, so I might need you to take care of Julian for me.” Vernetta had the same wide bright grin as Julian, Sylvester noticed.

He thought to himself, “They are indeed an ideal couple. They belong to each other. I am just day-dreaming that I might have a connection with Julian. How could I do this to such a sweet girl? How could I betray Julian’s trust in me and wants to fall in love with him?”

“Darling, you are going out?” Julian asked Vernetta and that broke Sylvester’s wallowing in self despair.

“Yes, I thought it will be good if both of you have the whole apartment to yourselves today, my presence might caused some inconvenience. I will be staying over at Charmaine’s place tonight but I will be back tomorrow as I will be flying to London tomorrow night. Maybe we can do lunch, Sylvester?” Vernetta queried.

Sylvester nodded.

After Vernetta left, Julian helped Sylvester to unpack and both of them felt the kind of loving feeling of doing something together.

They accidentally touched each other’s hands when unpacking. Sylvester strong urge of hugging Julian intensified and he was trying very hard to control his urge.

Julian felt the same heat, he was controlling himself too and he knew he can’t do anything that would jeopardize his career, his future or his relationship with Vernetta.

“Why don’t you go take a shower and I will whip up something for dinner?” Julian asked Sylvester and he agreed.

When Sylvester came out of the shower room, Julian had already started making spaghetti.

“Hmm…smells good. You sure can cook, Vernetta taught you how to cook?” Sylvester slumped onto the chair in only a pair of shorts.

“Hahaha…thank you. I have been cooking since my varsity days in UK and for your information, Vernetta never cooks and she doesn’t know how to cook, anyway she never likes to eat home, we will go restaurants for our meals.”

Julian replied and almost dropped his pot of pasta when he turned around and saw Sylvester half naked. His eyes immediately shifted to avoid looking at Sylvester well toned bare upper body.

They talked throughout their dinner and joked and had so much fun.

Sylvester felt the bond between them really grew and he can’t help but look into Julian’s deep set eyes when he talked.

After dinner, they washed the dishes together and Julian felt the same kind of blissfulness that he had with Sylvester.

He can’t control but to steal glances at Sylvester’s torso and ever so frequently, would brush his hands against Sylvester.

They watched TV and made small talk, relaxed and tired, Sylvester fell asleep on the couch.

Julian switched off the TV and positioned Sylvester to sleep properly and covered him with a blanket.

He was about to return to his room when Sylvester talked in his sleep, “Thank you. Julian, thank you. You are the only one who cares for me. I don’t know what is going on but I love you. I love you.”

The words shocked Julian and he hastily returned to his room, his fears had came through.

Sylvester had noticed that some weird feelings are going on between them and he loves him.

Julian’s hidden feelings overflow, he did not want to admit but he too has fallen in love with Sylvester.

Vernetta met the 2 guys at a restaurant for lunch and they had a wonderful lunch.

Sylvester had noticed how close Vernetta and Julian behaved, but they were also mindful that Sylvester was with them and try not to let Sylvester felt left out.

The three of them enjoyed themselves over lunch and Sylvester offered to tag along with Julian to send Vernetta off at the airport.
After sending Vernetta off, they drove back to the apartment.

On the way, Sylvester asked, “So how long will Vernetta be away this trip?”

“She would be in London for 3 weeks then she will be flying to Tokyo for another 2 weeks.” Julian replied.

“So we will have a month plus to ourselves!” Sylvester thought to himself.

When they reached the apartment, they showered and sat down in the hall, watching DVD.

Sylvester asked, “Julian, do you think I can drink some wine? I feel like having some wine tonight, just a small glass. I don’t think I am violating my curfews by requesting that, right?”

Julian seemed astonished but agreed.

They sipped red wind while the DVD scenes started to get erotic, seeing the straight couple making out on the screen, Sylvester own dick grows to its full attention, and under the influence of the wine, he hugged Julian.

Julian froze and tried to break away but Sylvester tightened his hug.

Sylvester tried to kiss Julian but Julian turned his head to one side and pleaded, “Sylvester, don’t do this.”

But Sylvester forcefully pressed his lips onto Julian, Julian struggled but soon gave in to Sylvester advances.

They kissed like a pair of hungry wolves, taking off each other clothes hurriedly.

Sylvester nibbled on Julian’s nipples hard that made Julian moan.

Sylvester tongue moved from Julian’s nipples to his navel and down to his pubic and finally onto his privates.

Julian had finally given in to his lust for Sylvester and he truly enjoyed his first time with a guy.

He even threw away all inhabitations and went down on Sylvester, the first time he ever did that.

They were enjoying each other’s bodies to their fullest, unwilling to miss out on any single area.

to be continued....

Redemption is written by Covantai, who enjoys writing short stories yet having difficulties finding an avenue to post his entries. For more of Covantai, please visit http://covantai.blogspot.com/

The One on Redemption (Part 5)

When Sylvester woke up, Julian was already preparing breakfast. Sylvester felt guilty over last night incident and kept to himself at breakfast.

He couldn’t be sure if Julian was awake last night or if he knew anything but he hated himself for betraying Julian’s trust.

Julian felt guilty too, he had known what happened last night, he enjoyed it but he did not want to admit to it.

He had never had gay sex in the past and he can’t accept the reality that he succumbed to temptation.

He tried to break the silence, “Why are you so quiet? Worried about rehabilitation? Don’t worry unduly, you will be able to kick off the habit. And I will be there for you.”

Sylvester nodded appreciatively and asked, “Julian, I need to confess to you, I did a horrible thing last night. I…am sorry…I….”

Julian stopped Sylvester from continuing, not sure how he would react, he interrupted, “Sylvester, don’t say anything. We are going to be late, finish up the breakfast and we have to run.”
Julian drove Sylvester to the centre and made the necessary registrations when all were done, Julian said to Sylvester, “Just make sure you adhere to the rules and regulations here. Do not make any hasty decisions. I will come here everyday to have counseling session with you, just discuss or tell me if you have any problems.”

Sylvester really felt compelled to hug Julian for all he had done for him but he resisted and just nodded in appreciation.

Sylvester felt the urge to tear when Julian left but he did not allow himself to cry in front of others, he was brought up to take sufferings in silence and he did not want Julian to see him so easily defeated.

Sylvester roamed around the centre after Julian left, he was really at a lost, and unsure what he could do.

Then a nurse came up to him and brought him to the isolation room to start his program.

Sylvester had not have any kicks for drugs since he was discharged from hospital but the isolation room made him uneasy and he suddenly yearned for the comfort of drugs again.

Images of Julian appeared before him, he tried to control his urge, not wanting to disappoint Julian but he can’t seem to fight the temptation and started to scream and kicked on the walls.

He started to perspire badly, feeling shivers all over his body and the feelings got worse that he continued to shout at the top of his voice.

He had forgotten about his promise to Julian and started to beg to anyone outside the room for drugs relief. He behaved more agitatedly when his pleas went ignored.

Sylvester survived through his first night in isolation and when he came out of the room the following day, he felt free and relieved.
He knew he would get to see Julian that day and told him what he had gone through the night before.

He washed himself thoroughly and made sure he looked smart in the centre wardrobe and waited for Julian patiently.

Sylvester started to feel uneasy and worried when the time ticked away and soon it was time for lunch, he wanted to call Julian but realized that he had never asked for his contact.

He waited through lunch and only managed to grab a few bites.

His eyes lit up when Julian appeared at the center, perspiring profusely.

“Sorry Sylvester, I was caught in a meeting and could not come in the morning. Have you taken your lunch? Are you feeling unwell? You look sick.” Julian apologized once he was in front of Sylvester.

His caring tone soothed Sylvester and he just kept smiling.

They talked like old friends that day and Julian encouraged Sylvester to fight his addiction and both of them can’t help but to feel that their friendship had reached another level.

When it was time for Julian to leave, he reassured Sylvester that he will see him daily for counseling and reminded him to tide over this period.

Stepping out of the center, Julian felt confused, he knew he had crossed the line of ethnics of professionalism.

He didn’t want to admit but he knew he was feeling something for Sylvester, not as a charge, but someone more.

He wanted to take care and support Sylvester as his close one, his next of kin, and his lover.
But yet, he knew it can’t happen as he was attached to Vernetta and she thinks he is straight.

He tried to talk himself out that he was just having an identity crisis but yet at the same time, he knew it was not possible to happen at his age.

He cannot understand why was he feeling this way, he badly needed to talk to Vernetta and to have Vernetta by his side now.

Sylvester had been doing very well in the rehabilitation center, with a lot of help from Julian.

He knew he was able to brave through the program as he had Julian with him. He knew he would not be able to survive if it was not for Julian.

He felt strongly for Julian and images of him romancing Julian that night crept into his dream every night.

When he sees Julian every morning, he just wants to hug him and kiss and make passionate love to him but he can’t.

He was counting down the days to his release and when his release date approaches, he felt excited to leave the centre and at the same time, worried, he had nowhere to go and he knew Vernetta was back at Singapore.

Julian came to pick Sylvester up on the day of his release, Sylvester had deliberately dressed up to wait for Julian.

Julian’s wide grin greeted Sylvester and Sylvester smiled back.

“Finally! You are getting out of the centre. You look smart today!” Julian said.

“Thank you. I have to look presentable today since I can leave this place finally and also to show my appreciation to you. Thank you so much for staying with me for the past 3 months, it’s you that I can stand up again.” Sylvester said earnestly.
Julian absent mindedly placed his hands on Sylvester and showed him out of the centre, the sudden electric feeling sent shivers down Sylvester’s spine and he felt as if his heart was jumping out of his body.

Sylvester slowed down when they reached Julian’s car and asked, “Julian, where am I to report for my curfew? Where are you bringing me? You know I have nowhere to go.”

Placing his hands on Sylvester’s shoulders, Julian said affirmatively, “I said I will not forsake you. I will be here for you till you are totally out of the program. I have spoken to Vernetta and she does not object to you staying with us for this period or till you manages to find a place to stay. She isn’t in Singapore that often so you don’t have to feel too awkward staying with us.”

The last word, us, stung Sylvester like a bee. He felt he was after all an outsider, and he hated to be the one to witness the lovey dovey of Julian and Vernetta.

He felt that Julian belonged to him and he had no intention to share Julian with another woman.

But he had nowhere to go, he needed to finish his program otherwise his rehabilitation would have gone to naught.

He struggled within himself and finally let go of all pride and selfish thoughts, he followed Julian up his car and headed to his condominium.

to be continued....

Redemption is written by Covantai, who enjoys writing short stories yet having difficulties finding an avenue to post his entries. For more of Covantai, please visit http://covantai.blogspot.com/

The One on Redemption (Part 4)

They sat at the table, eating their noodles quietly when Sylvester asked, “I saw some female clothes in your wardrobe. Yours?”

Julian laughed, “Well, you are half right. They are not really mine, but my live-in girlfriend.”

Sylvester’s face showed a tinge of disappointment but Julian failed to notice that. He proceeded to tell Sylvester about Vernetta and their 4 years relationship.

Sylvester listened with interest, surprised that the gentlemanly Julian could be so trendy thinking to cohabit, and even more impressed that he has an air stewardess girlfriend.

He thought to himself, “It is not surprising that he has a pretty girlfriend. He is a handsome man, a gentleman and extremely well bred. Which girl won’t fall heads over heels with him? He is such a hot stud, very well built. His clearly visible veins on his biceps reflected that he is a hardcore gymmer. He is so hot!”

Sylvester looked at Julian attentively when the latter talks, noticing his gestures, melting at his ever ready smile.

He was paying intense attention at Julian’s face, amazed at his thick well trimmed eyebrows, his sharp nose, big round attentive eyes, clean shaven smooth tanned face and the sexy thin pair of lips.
Sylvester snapped out of his dreamland when he realized he was having an erection, he panicked.

He had never had an erection by just looking at another man, and even when he was having gay sex, he had problems trying to sustain his erection throughout the process.

He did not know why he felt this way towards Julian and he was embarrassed by his reaction.

Julian, though happy that he had a chance to tell Sylvester more about himself, he carefully avoided going into too much details between himself and Vernetta.

He did not know why he was doing that but he didn’t want Sylvester to read too much into his relationship with Vernetta, he even felt compelled not to make Sylvester jealous.

He stopped talking when he realized that Sylvester was in a daze and extremely quiet.

“Are you ok?” Julian asked the quiet Sylvester.

Sylvester smiled and nodded, not wanting to show his discomfort of having an erection in the dining table, especially when he was wearing Julian’s jogging shorts with no underwear.

They sat there for a while longer and Julian got up to clear the table and Sylvester got up too to help, forgetting about his still hard erection.

His erection pointed forward and created a 90 degrees dent in the shorts and Julian was taken aback.

Sylvester blushed and immediately adjusted his dick and sat back down, extremely embarrassed and not sure what to do.

Julian laughed out and said, “Well, I guess you are on your road to full recovery from what I saw. It sure looked healthy!”

The statement relaxed the tense atmosphere and both of them laughed.

They washed up the dishes and hung the washed clothes from the washing machine to dry.

Sylvester had never did house chores with another person in such close proximity and he felt blissful for the first time in his life.

Julian too felt different, Vernetta never did laundry and it was always Julian’s responsibilities where house chores were concerned, he felt like a family with Sylvester, doing the laundry and dishes together.

He can even felt the heat emitting from Sylvester body, at times even felt Sylvester hot breathing over his neck at the basin.

When they were finally done, Julian answered a call and came back to Sylvester happily.

He said with a joy, “I have submitted your report to the authorities and they have agreed to send you to rehabilitation for 3 months and then impose a curfew on your freedom after that for another 6 months. If you do not falter during this period, they will not impose a jail sentence! But you have to check in to the rehabilitation centre tomorrow.”

Sylvester did not know if he should be happy or sad, he was glad that he had given another chance to avoid jail term but saddened that his rehabilitation would mean he had to leave Julian, and probably gave up the kind of bond he felt with him.

Julian noticed Sylvester wasn’t very excited over the news and he reassured, “Sylvester, I am still your counselor, I will see you in the centre daily and work with you. I am still here. You must grab full use of this opportunity to get back on track. It is your last chance.”
Sylvester smiled at Julian, relieved to hear that Julian would still be here for him and that was the only thing that he was concerned now.

Sylvester was tossing around on the couch, unable to get to sleep. He was worried about tomorrow, unsure of what to expect in the centre.

He was worried that he might not be able to tough it out during his rehabilitation and also the possibility that Julian might not be able to remain as his counselor.

He sat up and glanced at the room which Julian is sleeping. The door was not closed, so he got up and walked towards the room, he looked at the sleeping Julian, sleeping so sweetly and even snoring softly.

He looked at Julian, contented that he was like a father, a brother, a confidante to him.

He walked towards the bed, stood there, looking at Julian lovingly. Julian turned around and the blanket covering him slipped down to his lower back, revealing his ass crack.

Sylvester had an instant erection and he grabbed hard at his privates, savouring the delicious body in front of him.

His trembling hand reached out to feel the smooth tanned back, Julian stirred a little but did not woke up.

Sylvester got bolder and bent down, kissing Julian bare back. Then Sylvester traced his fingers down to Julian’s revealing ass crack, fingers feeling up and down slowly and Julian let out a soft moan.

Sylvester stopped and looked at Julian, thinking that he might wake up but he did not.

He swallowed hard at the appealing butt and lost control of himself, moved down and started kissing them gently. Julian moaned again but eyes still tightly shut.
He was taken aback when Julian suddenly turned around, his hard erection in front of Sylvester’s view.

Sylvester did not dare to proceed further but when Julian continued to snore softly, he dived down and savoured it.

Julian moaned again, but Sylvester couldn’t care less, he started going down on Julian, finding pleasure for the first time serving another man.

Sylvester even moaned a little all these while and got more excited when Julian ejaculated into his mouth.

to be continued....

Redemption is written by Covantai, who enjoys writing short stories yet having difficulties finding an avenue to post his entries. For more of Covantai, please visit http://covantai.blogspot.com/

The One on Redemption (Part 3)

Part 1

Part 2

The Story Continues....

Julian tried contacting Sylvester’s parents and requested them to pay a visit to the hospital but none obliged.

He felt sad for Sylvester and determined to help the young man back on his feet.

He was busy browsing through stacks of psychological books when a svelte beautiful lady came behind him and asked softly, “Working hard on your case? You want me to make some coffee for you?”

Julian looked up and smiled at the lady with delicate facial features, shook his head and replied, “You better run along, don’t be late for your flight.”

“Ok, dear. I will be stopping at Paris for 2 weeks, you better take good care of yourself when I am gone.”

The fair skinned lady walked out of the flat in her kebaya, she is an air stewardess with SIA and was a live-in girlfriend of Julian, known as Vernetta.

Julian had been living together with Vernetta in a downtown condominium for 4 years, marriage had never been on their mind as they still believe in being single and available would be a beneficial factor to their careers.

They don’t restrict each other social life though they know where to draw the line.

Julian, a desirable bachelor once named as Top 50 Most Desirable Males in a local magazine, never liked to flaunt his good looks or taut body.

He liked to be seen in t shirts and bermudas, sandals his favourite.

When at work, he would be in executive wears and led a healthy lifestyle.

He seemed so perfect to everyone and he thought so himself till the appearance of Sylvester, he had never felt so strongly towards any of his charges before.

He had counseled numerous wayward or suicidal teenagers, males and females, but he had never allowed himself to be affected by personal feelings.

He can’t help but be drawn to Sylvester bad boy good looks, the scars on his otherwise smooth tanned face, the hard well toned body.

The quiet yet determined but hurt soul. He wanted to protect Sylvester and show him the other aspects of life.

He shook his head and brought himself back to reality. “What was I thinking? How could I allow myself to get emotional?” He thought to himself.

Julian deliberately dressed down that day to visit Sylvester. Sylvester was pleasantly surprised when he saw Julian in polo t shirt and jeans.

He thought that Julian looked more dashing in this get up. They showed their best smiles to each other and started talking non stop once sat down.

Sylvester didn’t show any signs of sadness when he was told that none of his parents would be visiting him.

He said, “I expected it. They have never seen me as their family. I can never fit into their lives. They have their own families to take care of. So I think it is good that a clear line has been drawn.”

Julian blurted, “Don’t say such things. You still have lot of others who care about you.”

Sylvester asked point blankly, “I don’t have any good friends, all my friends are addicts. If I want a clean life, I have to break away from them. I don’t have anyone else.”

Julian immediately replied without thinking, “Nonsense! You have me.”

Both of them looked at each other in awkward silence and Julian could not believe what he had just said.

They kept quiet for a few minutes when a nurse came by to inform them that Sylvester will be able to discharge two days later.

Sylvester tried to break the silence after the nurse went off, “Where can I go when I discharge? I can’t go back to my rented flat. My room mate told me that the land lord had kicked us out after he found out about my drug overdose in the room. I don’t have anywhere to go.”
Julian put his hands subconsciously on Sylvester’s laps and said, “If you really have no where to go, you can stay at my place for the time being till maybe after we settle your case and when you are able to look for jobs.”

Sylvester followed Julian to the walk up apartment in Orchard, he had never been to a posh condominium before and he was in awe of everything he saw in sight.

Julian opened the door to his studio apartment and gestured Sylvester to enter.

When both of them got inside the apartment, Julian said apologetically, “It is a small place and there is only one room, so I would need you to sleep on the couch while you are here. Hope you don’t mind.”

Sylvester looked at Julian appreciatively and replied, “I have always sleeps on couches, no problem with that. I am very thankful to have you to take me in, not forgetting I am sleeping in high class couch!”

“Well, since you don’t mind, maybe you would like to take a shower and dump your clothes into the washing machine?” Julian smiled.

Julian directed Sylvester to the toilet in the room and pull out a towel from his drawer for Sylvester.

His heart skipped a beat when he turned around and saw Sylvester already stripped to his boxers.

He can’t help but look at the tanned hard chest and pecs of Sylvester and subconsciously shifted his focus onto the crotch area.

Sylvester cleared his throat and called out to Julian, “Hmm…is the towel for me?”

Julian regained his composure and nodded. Julian left the room to cook some noodles for Sylvester while the latter was taking his shower.

When Julian was almost done with the noodles, he saw Sylvester standing behind him in the small kitchen, clad only in his towel.

Beads of water dripping down the toned tanned bare body of Sylvester and with his wet floppy hair, he looked extremely different and sexy and Julian felt a stir in his broad shorts.

“Whoo. You startled me. What do you need?”

Sylvester replied sheepishly, “I don’t have any clean clothes to change into, can I borrow some of yours?”

Julian smiled and told him to take some from his wardrobe while he set the table ready for lunch.

Sylvester opened the steel full mirror wardrobe and was surprised to find lingerie and female clothes amid menswear.

He took one singlet and a pair of jogging shorts, and proceeded to take off his towel, butt facing the door when Julian appeared.

Sylvester jumped up a little when he heard Julian at the door and turned around, shorts in his hands, towel on the floor, and forgets all about his modesty in front of another guy.

Both of them looked at each other for a moment and looked away, and Julian said softly, “Lunch is ready. It’s just Maggie mee, you ok with that?”

Sylvester stood there, naked, facing Julian and managed a nod.

Julian’s face reddened and said softly, “Hmm..Maybe you can put on some clothes and join me at the table.”

Julian walked away, breathing hard, not sure why he felt that way. He had no problems with male nudity before and was extremely at ease with nude men in the gyms but he knew he was having a reaction to Sylvester toned nude body.

Sylvester, on the other hand, quickly put on the clothes and felt shy about showing his manhood to Julian.

He too had no qualms of showing off his toned built to others but yet he felt different this time, accidentally flashing at Julian.

to be continued....

Redemption is written by Covantai, who enjoys writing short stories yet having difficulties finding an avenue to post his entries. For more of Covantai, please visit http://covantai.blogspot.com/

The One on Stoner79

Mention Stoner, anyone in Blowing Wind can't help but think about the pre-cum inducing, God-like sexual encounters that he has shared with us. Sotongball embarks on a journey to discover: how much more there is to this Flexi sex symbol of Blowing Wind.

Sotongball: So tell me, what are the three things in life that you are good at?

Stoner79: That will be Mahjong, Singing and Sex.

STB: Let's start with Mahjong then, how often do you play?

S79: I love Mahjong, usually play it when I'm facing emotional stress. I'm a control freak towards myself, so whenever my emotions reach bottleneck I would play mahjong to de-stress. I will call my kakis and just concentrate on the games itself. Like few weeks ago I just "broke" with someone at 6pm, by 9pm i'm already playing MJ

STB: So people say the time to get over someone is half the time you spend with him, for you I guess it's just a game of MJ?
S79: I allow myself 24 hours to get over someone, after that, a new day awaits. Anything more than 24 hours is considered a crime for me.

STB: So, do you expect your date to play MJ as well as you?
S79: It's easier to get me to a MJ table than to a bed.

STB: So those who can get you to both MJ table and bed must be really good. Anyway you won last year's singing competition right? So when did you reailze that you can actually sing?
S79: It was back in primary school, me and my cousin used to go KTV, at that point of time, everyone thought I sound like Jacky Cheung until I started smoking, then I became Ah Du.

STB: Any tips for KTV queens-wannabe?
S79: I always tell people to stand up when they sing, it opens up their diaphragm and let them hit higher notes

STB: So how is it possible that our Angelic looking, innocent cutie has so much of mating experience under his belt?
S79: Based on my look, if you never heard it from me, you'll never know what kind of things I have done. I was single then so I could try everything before settling down, I'm just being frank about my sexual encounters. Others might even have more encounters than me, just that they are keeping mum about it.

STB: So, anything that you haven't told anyone about?
S79: I can only say that those experiences are just a significant small amount of what I have done.

STB: When did you start?
S79:  I'm a very curious person by nature, my motto is to "try everything once". When I was 18, there was this spa called Spartacus. I was there most days of the week. Went there once with a very chub friend, the place was OK. But my friend was trying to do something, and i was not very interested. So I left early without doing anything. but went back the following day, and the rest is history.

STB: That mean you dun really like chub?
S79: I'm a face person, I dated chubs before, the only thing I don't like is skinny.

STB: Other than face, you also look at thighs and butts?
S79: I'm attracted to thighs, I like it fair, sometimes I do look at people's butt first before I look at the face. Having said that, I don't only date people with good thighs or good buns. Did I mention I like people with good complexion?

STB: Define "smooth complexion"

S79: Smooth, fair, non-blemished skin. I once dumped someone who was very very very nice because of his obvious blemishes, when I kissed I like to kiss the forehead and everything. So can you imagine somewhere at the back of my mind I was like praying that the pimples won't burst as I was kissing him?

STB: So describe to me, your ideal date.

S79: Around my height, not sknny, fair, smart, short hair cut, decent and straight acting. There's actuallly a group of people who capture my attention: People who are well dress, especially in office wear, I do tend to look at people who wear glasses more. I think I like fair people with smooth complexion, sometimes I do like some hairy guys. Of course it's not only all bout the outlooks, I don't like Ah Bengs, I don't like people with long hair. At the end of the day they must be smart.

STB: Ever thought of settling down?
S79: I did, I was attached for 6 years. It was quite good, not messy. Like I told others, I'm quite capable of both open or monogamy. Apart from the type of person that I am, I can actually settle down. The person I was attached with, I didn't even like him to begin with, but he stayed quite near me, he asked me out for dinners, his sincerity touched me.

STB: Any current target in mind?

S79: I don't chase people anymore, I rather choose out of people whom I know that they like me. I don't want to waste my time, it's always better to be chased than to chase. Just for the record, when I  was 19, I was dating this guy who was 24. During the night we would talk on the phone, in the morning I would accompany him to work and loiter around there till his lunchtime, had lunch and waited for him to knock off. In other words, I CAN be very lovey dovey. 

Sotongball: So, what do you want to say to those who likes you?
Stoner79: First of all, tell me that you like me through yourself.

To catch more of Stoner, do visit the #blowingwind chatroom in Galaxynet. Or even better come out for future Blowing Wind outings and you might have a chance to meet him face to face! I'm sure you'll be able to unlock more of him if you first open up yourself to him.

The One on "Love, so Simple"

當我走在寂寞的人生低潮時，您卻如久旱逢甘霖般出現在我眼前。您所帶來的愛是如此純真、簡單，讓我想起初戀的感覺，毫無浧意。

一個星期過了，我只能感謝您對我的真誠，以及願意和我分享生活的誠懇。雖然那三个字還沒出口，我們的舉動已是非常明顯的表達。可能這就是我夢寐以求，非常簡單的愛。

只想對您說：希望我們永遠不會放棄，這愛彼此的權利。

愛,很簡單 － 陶喆 

Verse

忘了是怎么开始  也许就是对你
有一种感觉

忽然间发现自己  已深深爱上你

真的很简单
爱得地暗天黑都已无所谓
是是非非无法决择
没有后悔为爱日夜去跟随
那个疯狂的人是我
喔......

Chorus
i love you
无法不爱着你
说你也爱我
i love you
永远不愿意baby
失去你

Verse 2
不可能更快乐  只要能在一起
做什么都可以

虽然世界变个不停  用最真诚的心
让爱变得简单
爱得地暗天黑都已无所谓
是是非非无法决择
没有后悔为爱日夜去跟随
那个疯狂的人是我
喔......

Chorus
i love you
我一直在这里
一直在爱你
i love you
永远都不放弃
这爱你的权利

Bridge
如果你还有一些困惑
请贴着我的心倾听
听我说着爱你
yes i do

Chorus

i love you
我一直在这里
一直在爱你
i love you
永远都不放弃
这爱你的权利

[English Translation]

You appeared when I least expected anyone to share my life with, almost like the light at the end of the tunnel. And the love you brought was so simple and pure that it reminds me of the feeling of first love, without any excessive hint of lust.

Throughout the first week, I thank you for your sincerity, and your willingness to share your life with me. Although the cliched three words have not been muttered, but your actions and mine speak much louder than that. Maybe this is what I've been searching for all these while, love that's very simple.

To You, to us. Hope we will never, ever give up the rights to love each other.

The One on The Dark Knight

Second installment in Director Christopher Nolan's new take in the Batman series, The Dark Knight is one of the highly anticipated movie in the year 2008, even more so after the mysterious death of Brokeback Mountain's Academy Awards Nominee for Best Actor - Heath Ledger.

I went into the theatre filled with much anticipation and excitement, only to find my satisfaction level bested by so much more the movie had to offer. The Dark Knight has a pitch black dark tone, many of the regular casual movie goers may not like it, but those who come into terms with it will be in for a treat of that kind of escapism the movie relays.

Christian Bale is as charming as ever, sporting more control in his life this time round than in Batman Begins. Batman has came affirmed his responsibility as the condemned protector of the Gotham and has a whole new lot of gadgets under his belt, especially the Sonar Goggle which allows him to use ultrasound to scan an entire building or even city of Gotham for enemies, making him more Bat-like.

The Dark Knight will feel like - to many whether sub-consciously or not - a movie that put more emphasis on The Joker, played by Heath Ledger (though it might be possible too that it's because we paid more attention to The Joker.)

The truth is, whether he is still alive or not, Heath Ledger did play a fantastic Joker in the movie, from the way of speech right down to the sinister laughter. Forget about the critics' crap about the movie being overhyped, just put yourself in the shoe's of Heath Ledger's Joker, and you will understand what commitment to the role is all about, so much so that it may be driving force behind the reason why Ledger died.

Movie goers will have a love-hate tendencies towards The Joker, making him probably one of the most likable villain in recent times. The Joker commits crime and create chaos which people detest, but he does it in a manner that you can't help but even clap for his feat.

Overall, the movie is well paced and filled with perhaps too much adult dialogues, not the typical light-hearted action hero movie that you have been familiar with (read: Ironman). Coupled with the amount of disturbing scenes that made a couple of us cringe, think twice before you bring your nephews and niece there.

The Dark Knight has overtaken Spiderman 3's record of the highest revenue in its first weekend of the US Box Office, grossing $158.3 million as compared to Spidey's $151.1 million. Yes partly thanks to the hype, do consider too the fact that Sotongball had watched it twice.

The One on BW3AP

It stands for The One on Blowing Wind 3rd Anniversary Party

Forget about the cramped karaoke lounge, forget about the bar which only holds you for few hours. This year's Blowing Wind Anniversary Party brought us to the peaceful, tucked-faraway-from-the-city-bustles, countryside-ish chalet bungalow in Changi. Of course with the arrival on the Blowing Wind members, how can any place on earth stays in peace for long?

On friday, after a victorious poke-ball (no Pikachu inside) session with Seekstock, we headed to the chalet only to be greeted by NFB's potato+sausage+broccoli stew fragrance and that did make our stomach grumble! Not to forget visually we are also greeted by the prominent lantern looking flag with 7 tails each of color in the rainbow.

Without much delay, we converted the thank-God-it's-there perfect squarish table into a makeshift mahjong table and clack-clack away. As more people came another table opens, by 6pm the whole house is filled with TV noise, MJ tiles shuffling and more shuffling, and more, and more, and more. Few of us went to watch The Dark Knight in Downtown East and the review had already been actually written, but will only be up on Tube Thursday.

The notti fun started when the drinking session began, actually STB was playing MJ in the other room so he couldn't really confirm the account on what happened. So here's what STB thinks he know: A and B got drunk, C, D, E followed suit, E came to the MJ room to visit once a while, each time with a more high less sober face, B, C and D went out to smoke once in many whiles, F woke up and joined the drinking, A got so high that his usual slutty attribute got amplified ten folds. A started to take of his shirt, got his tofu eaten for countless times, tried to even tease us by unzipping his pants and finally got into his birthday suit for few seconds. D puked. A and B got hitched together and the rest is history... By 6am when STB went to spot check room by room, he found 3 pairs interlocking each other in bed.

To discourage the bad habit of kiss and tell, anyone mentioned above have the right to tell me to remove the paragraph above.

More MJ on the next day leading to the official party...

By 6pm, we saw a whole lot of more familiar faces with a few fresher ones coming in: Only Me, Kai, Obiyan, Oscad, Geroge, Richard, Chubbyboy and Big Chub. Hope it's not the last time we see their faces.

Right before dinner, we drew lots to separate the crowd into two teams: Team Top with orange stickers and Team Btm with blue stickers. Team Top was led by ExecQT and Team Btm is led by none other than our favorite Chat! By the way, Team Top does not mean it's all comprised of tops and vice versa.

We started dinner at 7pm, everyone was restricted to the perimeter of the chalet but luckily there was enough space to accommodate more than 40 of us. The food was really good especially the desserts and cakes sponsored by our ever generous sponsors.

After dinner, everyone is ushered into the dining hall area for games. 4 games were played including Nickname Bingo, Guess Who?, Guess the Number and The Most... As much as it is designed for entertainment, the games are meant more to get the members to know one another better, inside out.

In Nickname Bingo, we found out that no one in the house has his ear punched a hole, who goes to Ford Road, who has pseudo six abs, and who has the bubble butt that never fails to catch any horny tops' attention.

Then in Guess Who?, the two teams were separated from each other with a big drape in between covering them. Then the drape is dropped and representatives from each team is supposed to shout out the other's name/nick before he does. You'll be surprised how some old birds can't even remember each other's name...

The third game has been explained before in my previous post. Basically we had the very very very sporting members stripping, demonstrating karmasutra positions and reacting their first sexual encounters.

The last game revealed to everyone who has the longest hair, biggest biceps to the most no. of pushups in 30 seconds and lightest nipple color.

The Btms did themselves proud in the bonus round by having the person with the lightest nipple color, toppling the Tops by barely 1 point and emerged as winners for the evening.

The night was rounded off with nothing less than lucky draw. The lucky draw has been THE most anticipated program of all time in any BW event, thanks to the many kind sponsors who has been providing us with many desirable gift items over the past few events. We have practical products like Wireless Router, IP cameras, $50 Harvey Norman Vouchers down to the quirky and practical things like Tenga, Sexy Panties and Shogun Passes.

With Blowing Wind celebrating its 3rd year since the team of current moderators took over, we have seen many new faces then becoming more and more active in their contribution to the forum. Let's look forward to the next 3 years to come.

Sotongball would like to personally thank the following:

NFB - He has practically coordinated the whole event by himself, from registration, to collection of sponsored gifts, to even providing props for the games. Hats off to NFB, and he has barely joined the group for more than a year.

OralB - While busy shuttling between countries, OB has devoted his time during the party to provide support and make sure everything run smoothly. Thanks for keeping scores during the games too.

Gachi - Of course we have the sponsors to thank, but how do we get the sponsors in the first place? It's none other Gachi with so many connections to get the so many attractive gifts.

Asura - Being in-charge of food, Asu has made sure that everyone is well-fed during the party.

LupCheong - Thanks for taking the trouble to bring the big mahjong table, and also for the many gifts that you sponsored!

Rusty - For booking the chalet

All the sponsors which are listed here and more.

Everyone who made time to attend the party and made it possible!

The One on Gourmet Coffee (Part 2)

Stoner pointed out I should spell out the difference between espresso, latte and cappuccino. So I'm gonna do just that. Thanks Stoner!

Espresso

Comes in shots (sounds like something notti), this is not for the faint hearted. Served usually in a petite cups, it is much stronger and definitely more potent than your regular black coffee. Good for a quickie drink, that is when you find your date boring and just want to finish the drink, and perhaps have the alertness to look for another one in the IRC later that night :p

Latte

Steam your milk till it's frothy and let it settle first, then fill your latte glass till the level of the upper handle, add a dash of foam, and lastly a shot of espresso. Voila! You made your first glass of latte, congratulations. Latte basically means "milk" in Italian, which makes sense because you're adding more volume of milk than coffee into your glass. More suited for people who wants to drink milk, or just a tinge of coffee in their drinks. It is really too weak for STB's taste.

Cappuccino

To make a good cappuccino, you need to be very skilled in steaming your milk. Refrigerated cold pasteurized full cream milk will be the best as it can be frothed more easily. Once you get your foam up and milk settled, fill your cappuccino cup with one shot of espresso, cover the cup with foam till its flat. Next, pour a bit of milk at the center of the cup till the foam is about half an inch above the brim, giving the "cap" in cappuccino. Lastly, sprinkle a generous layer of cocoa powder on the cap, and give yourself a pat at the back. It is up to you to determine how "dry" you want your cappuccino to be, dry will mean less milk and thus stronger coffee. Oh, and remember to ask your date "Is there something you wanna tell me?" after drinking your cap.

There you have it, three basic gourmet coffees, of course then you can exercise your creativity and add your own customization to the coffee, very much Starbucks-style, some of the tips:

1. Additional shot of espresso, less milk will obviously make the coffee stronger
2. Use soy milk or low-fat (skimmed) milk to make your coffee healthy
3. Decaf if you want to enjoy the taste of coffee and yet want to sleep at night, you can't really taste the different (trust me even STB has been fooled by his ex by taking in a cup of decaf instead of regular)
4. Add ice to make it iced latte or iced cappuccino of course, always add ice into the cup first before anything!
5. Add different flavored syrup to your latter or cappuccino, there are a lot of possibilities out there: from the time-tested chocolate syrup to hazelnut to even ceylon tea. Recommended brand of syrup is Da Vinci and Monin, bartender's favorite.
6. Add whipped cream instead of foam, always STB's preferred choice!

Ok, hope you're inspired enough to start your own cafe now, or at least buy a new full fledged coffee machine for your house. Go ahead, pamper yourself, you deserve it. Any more enquiries like milk steaming techniques, please feel free to direct them to me. 

Sotongball hopes to conduct classes on coffee tasting and making to promote the awareness and goodness of the caffeinated drink that is the most popular beverage around the world sometime after he retires...

The One on Akated and ExecQT

This week's Menday is a couple special. They are the testament that love is not entirely an overrated myth, and also love removes any hurdle of physical preferences, more importantly love can blossom between two BWers. Which couple can display love that's so affectionate even in public other than Akated and ExecQT?

Sotongball: How long have you two been together officially?

Akated: Exactly 1 year as of 14 July 2008 (Today)
ExecQT: One year of agony...

STB: Wow congrats! Care to describe to me how did you guys meet?
Aka: In the #BlowingWind chatroom.
Exec: Oct 2006 that's when I found out about this slut and his auto-cum experience with a Masseur

STB: Was it love or lust at first sight?
A&E: Pure lust, at Ritz Carlton during CNY Feb 2007 period
Aka: he was in the hotel room, logged into the chatroom, and invited me over.
Exec: I was dumped by someone else, after he came over and checked me out.

STB: When did the feeling start to develop?
Exec: Its a gradual process.
Aka: Up till somewhere in July, one week before we became official, I was still not very sure. Just wanted to be friends. We were both btms at that time, and there's only so much two btms can do. The first time i topped him was in HK, that weekend before we became official.
Exec: Prior to that, I had alot of feelings to him. Was abit painful, having to listen to all his encounters in the chatroom, forum.

STB: Wait wait, who chased who?
Exec: Obviously I chased him, with a lot of encouragements and advices from Engineer, to quote him, "to be persistent", and let him know how I felt, not to be discouraged by his responses.

STB: So Akated, when did you give in?
Aka: One week after the HK trip, we were having dinner on a Friday night, very late. Both dar and another BWer stay in the east. So I sent him and dar home, and when I reached dar's place, I slept over at his place. we decided to kiss, that's when I realized I wanna spend the rest of my life with him
Exec: He said something like "I'm ready"

STB: Awww, so sweet. "And they lived happily ever after..."
Exec: So there's hope for people over 40.
Aka: I didn't really think that I'll go for anyone above 40
Exec: Same as me, dar was physically not my type at all.

STB: So what changed?
Aka: Its comfortable in a good way. I wanted go out with someone who's muscular, sometimes you dun realise there's someone waiting for you
Exec: I told him, " dun chase after wind"
Aka: Dar was always there when i got turned down by a few.

STB: So what do you guys enjoy doing together?

Exec: Sex, wine and dine, movies, working out, traveling... Did I mention sex?

Aka: We're pretty open to experiment still, no food sex though. Always don't mind a third participant in our love-making sessions.

Sotongball: Oooooh, any particular candidate in mind?

ExecQT and Akated: Sotongball! *wink*wink*

To prevent the interview session from turning into a totally unintended session, Sotongball decided just to snap a shot of them two and round it off. Aka and Exec organize the official fortnightly dinner for Blowing Wind forum and have been traveling to Tokyo, Paris, Sydney, Macau Hong Kong and still counting...

The One on Lagging

Love sometimes still needs a reboot. let the "lagging" (read: tiresome) feeling have a chance of fresh start.

「累格」-" lag" in English. Originally means trailing behind, dilly-dally and slowing down etc. In the internet age, the word has found a new definition in the form of screen freezing.

Netizens in Taiwan translates "lag" directly into 「累格」(lei4 ge2), because of the similarity in phonetics and meaning. It is widely used and accepted, thus became a common lingo in the chinese side of inter web.

In computing term, during the heat of a online gaming, if the screen freezes, lagging occurs; While loading a web page on the browser with the hourglass (or rainbow beach ball for that matter...) spinning non-stop and finally comes to a failed to load page, lagging occurs; while streaming or downloading a movie or MP3, and it comes to a halt, again lagging occurs.

In the land of Love, lagging happens too. When two lovers are completely not in the same tune, frequency thought and feeling, or sometimes even in conversation, that's lagging for you.

The cause of lagging comes from a million sources, more often than not due to human cause, the most important key lies on the "communication" between two person. Maintaining a relationship requires effort from the heart, although one is not judge on how much effort he pours in, but often from the behavior we can determine one's motive and thoughts.

In a relationship that ages multiple years, it often comes to a point when a situation of lagging must be faced, with the main culprit of the "take it for granted" attitude. "I thought he would understand..." is an age old excuse used too many times to explain one's ignorance. Just because of "I thought", therefore we take for granted and assume that the other party would understand.

Communications between a couple is not limited to only speech, but the connection between the minds and the bodies are no less important too. When two persons are living in the same place (in this context: country), although there's still concern for each other, but there's a lack of attention to each other when meeting face to face, the bodily contact is also sorely missing, lest the lack of common interests and topics. When each prefers to find his own thing or man to do, no doubt this is already Lagging.

If two were in a long distance relationship or one party is posted to a foreign land, with them under a different sky, breathing a different air, experiencing a different life or in a totally different environment, all these hinders the acceleration of the relationship. Just with the few factors mentioned above, it is enough to make two drift apart and cause lagging.

Assuming the environment set above, the most obvious omen to the occurrence of lagging can be seen when two are talking over the phone, two are trying to squeeze their brain dry to think of topics to talk about, or the moment of silences is awkward more than talking, listening to each other's breathe of the phone, this is obviously a sign of Lagging.

The occurrence of lagging hurts, but it is unlike a stab in the heart or slicing apart of intestines. The pain is more subtle, it strikes in the dark, without a chance to prevent, eating your heart away silently...

Whenever a relationship comes to a lagging it usually means an off-key season, doesn't necessarily spell the situation of parting and bidding good-byes. If something can be done at appropriate times, such as increasing the frequency of communication and ways to understand each other better, it will absolutely rekindle the dying flame in a lagging relationship. Love, like a long lasting draught, being inject its well-deserved water and nutrients into its dire phase.

Every relationship has its ups and downs, the key is to have a compromising mindset and an alert awareness, do not dwell and linger in the nostalgic, comfort zone feeling that is long lost after the honeymoon period. If you want to keep your relationship fresh, both parties would have to contribute to the relationship, a one-sided effort won't do.

Just like a lagging computer, give your relationship a reboot once in a while, let the lagging relationship an opportunity of second. third... fifteen wind.

Of course the most important thing is, as long as your heart (feelings) hasn't died.

Lagging is written by one of our writer friends in Blowing Wind, Sotongball was just merely providing the translation for our English readers according to his interpretation, without the original writer's permission still though... The original text is found here.

The One on Redemption (Part 2)

When Sylvester finally opened his eyes slowly, he could not make out where he was.

He saw figures in white, hollering over him. He felt a sharp pain in his stomach but he was too weak to move.

He felt helpless, the same kind of feeling he felt when his granny passed away. He tried to talk but could not, and fell back to sleep again.

When he woke up again and slowly took a look around the room, there were other people lying on the beds besides him.

They were wearing green robes and he realized he was in a hospital, he tried to get up when a gentle yet manly voice stopped him, “Don’t move. You won’t want to move too much after all the pumping of drug residue from your stomach.”

Sylvester looked at the guy with weary eyes and saw a good looking guy in his 30s. The guy has a sharp face with bright eyes, broad smile, tanned and seemed to have a fit nice build.

He introduced himself, “I am Julian, your counselor. You are Sylvester, right?” Julian broad sunny smile immediately relaxed Sylvester.

“Yeah, I am him. Why am I here?” Sylvester said breathlessly.

“You were sent in by your friend. He found you spasming in the room when he returned home. You had a drug overdose and the doctors just pumped your stomach. You must rest well to recover.”

Julian placed his big palms on Sylvester shoulders and Sylvester felt a sense of warmth and security that he had not felt before.

He asked anxiously, “Will I be charged? Or will I be send to rehabilitation?”

Julian, with the same smile, replied, “Let’s not worry too much about that. Focus on getting well and we will talk about that in due course.”

“No, you don’t understand. I don’t want to be sent to rehabilitation or be sent to jail. I can’t be a jail bird, I already have no future, I can’t have a record, please help me Julian!” Sylvester was agitated.

“Hey, don’t worry too much, ok? I will do my best to help you. But let’s focus to get you well first, ok? I promise to give my all to help you. Don’t think too much, just rest more. Can I have your family contact? I can contact them for you.” Julian said smilingly.

“I don’t have family. I am all alone.” Sylvester lied.

Julian looked at Sylvester sympathetically and tapping his shoulders, Julian smiled again, “It’s ok. Then let me take care of you for the time being. Get some sleep, I will be here.”

Sylvester nodded and closed his eyes, he slept soundly and had a sweet dream which had not happened for a long time.

Sylvester was woken up by a nurse to take his medication in the middle of the night, he called out Julian name and realized his folly when he saw the female nurse looking at him puzzled.

He took his pills and asked for the time. It was 2am in the morning and the whole ward was dead quiet.

Sylvester felt peaceful, something he had not felt more than 10 years. He sat up on his bed slowly and peered out of the window.

He felt that he had lived again, he was not sure if it was a good thing but he knew he was given another chance to live again. He went back to sleep after a while and dreamed about Julian.

The next day, Sylvester woke up early and managed to get off the bed and walked around.

He met Julian at the corridor and was mesmerized by his handsome good looks after taking a good look.

Julian, flashing his sunny smile, supported Sylvester with a firm grip when Sylvester almost slipped on the way back to his ward.

Sylvester felt a rush of adrenalin when he felt the strong hands supporting him, his face blushed unwillingly and he dared not look at the handsome Julian.

“Be careful, don’t fall. You looked so much better today. You sure recover fast!” Julian spoke gently.

Sylvester nodded and said softly, “I am glad to be back from hell.”

Julian helped Sylvester to his bed and said encouragingly, “Sylvester, you are a strong man. You are a good looking dude. Don’t throw your life away like you did. You must learn to embrace life and grow with it. It is a waste to lose such a young handsome man like you.”

Sylvester has always been confident about his looks, he knows he is a good looker, tanned and fit built with a bad boy image.

But to hear such compliments from another handsome man he hardly knows, he felt shy suddenly.

Julian looked at Sylvester and was puzzled by his silence and he patted on Sylvester’s shoulders and continued, “Young man! You hear me? Don’t worry too much. I am going to write a good report on you and hopefully we can get you out of jail term and go for rehabilitation sentencing. But I need you to be honest with me and we will see how well the counseling session progress, ok?”

Sylvester looked at Julian pleadingly, “Please Julian, I really do not want to go to jail. You must do your best to help me, ok?”

Julian nodded smilingly and they talked like old friends that day.

Sylvester bared his soul to Julian and told him everything from his childhood days to the very day he was out from drug overdose.

Tears were swelling in Julian’s bright eyes when Sylvester finished his story.

He smiled at Sylvester and said softly, “It must be hard on you. Do not give up your life. There are much more unfortunate people who are braver than you. If they can survive, so can you. I will work on your self esteem and drug addiction, it will not be easy but I need you to put in your faith and work with me. I know you can brave through this obstacle and we can do it!”

Sylvester looked at Julian gratefully, the first person to show genuine care without asking anything in return.

He felt that Julian was like a family to him, something he never had.

Julian listened to him, encouraged him, believed him and supported him.

He felt an instant inclination towards Julian and poured all his troubles and hatred for his parents to Julian.

They talked more than 5 hours that day, and when Julian had to leave, Sylvester can’t help but felt downcast and lost that his confidante was leaving.

Julian seemed to know what Sylvester was thinking and reassured him, “Sylvester, it’s ok. You don’t have to tell me everything today. We still have a long way to go, you can tell me everything slowly. We can take things one step at a time. I will be here and not going anywhere soon. And now, you should take a good rest and get well. This counseling session is gonna be much longer term than you think.”

Sylvester smiled at Julian, his eyes brightened with expectation for the first time, asked, “You will be here for me? You really will? You will not leave without any indication?”

Julian placed his strong arms on Sylvester’s shoulders and assured, “Yes. I will be here. Don’t worry too much. I will do my best to help you.”

to be continued....

Redemption is written by Covantai, who enjoys writing short stories yet having difficulties finding an avenue to post his entries. For more of Covantai, please visit http://covantai.blogspot.com/